Distance Learning

[flippakitten]

Hey all,

OK so after reading a lot of the responses on here from CEO's and generally people, higher education seems to be a very good move. Even though I already have extremely solid work experience and have got by just fine without it, I would like one anyway.

I've already done tonne's of online courses, so I sort of have the time, so may as well put it towards a Bsc of some sorts.

Now, the question is, for distance learning, is the only recognized way to do it through Unisa?
If so, say I wanted to do Bsc in Informatics and Computer Science, can I just do the one first, then do the missing modules from the other and have two Bsc's?

Thanks for any advice or help.

 

[battletoad]

Unfortunately (or fortunately, read on...), you cannot. A BSc requires 360 credits. Those credits are made up from the modules you complete; depending on institution, a module usually ranges between 5 to 30 credits. Whenever you contribute credits toward a degree, you cannot re-use those same credits toward another degree.

However, it would be better for you to do an Honours afterwards instead. I'm pretty sure you could start a BSc CS and switch to BSc Hons informatics if you so wish. More importantly, it would potentially involve fewer years than doing another BSc (1 year vs 3 years fulltime), plus you get an advanced degree to boot.

Either way, its best to contact the department(s) in question for more info, especially to find out which streams allow you to switch discipline in Hons.

 

[noxibox]

A good university would allow you to reuse a certain percentage of your course credits. Unisa presumably isn't a good university then.

 

[gkm]

Unisa did allow me to get some exemptions for some subjects already completed on another degree some years ago. But only a limited number, so that would not be an easy path for two degrees. Agreed with battletoad, that it would be better to try to do honors, rather than to fill in the blanks for another closely related Bachelor degree.

 

[cguy]

I agree with the others. I've never been impressed by multiple BSc degrees. The "stories" it hints at are that the person didn't know what direction to go in life, or wasn't capable of doing more advanced work, or wasn't comfortable leaving the coccoon of academia, etc.

There are perfectly valid reasons for doing multiple degrees of course, but the above three reasons are what (in my experience) tend to dominate - so I don't suggest throwing your hat in the ring with them.

 

[flippakitten]

Thanks everyone!
Exactly why I came here to ask, loads of good advice and experience.

I agree with the others. I've never been impressed by multiple BSc degrees. The "stories" it hints at are that the person didn't know what direction to go in life, or wasn't capable of doing more advanced work, or wasn't comfortable leaving the coccoon of academia, etc.

There are perfectly valid reasons for doing multiple degrees of course, but the above three reasons are what (in my experience) tend to dominate - so I don't suggest throwing your hat in the ring with them.

Valid point, I have an interest in both but computer science will serve my needs better.

 

[^^vampire^^]

I agree with the others. I've never been impressed by multiple BSc degrees. The "stories" it hints at are that the person didn't know what direction to go in life, or wasn't capable of doing more advanced work, or wasn't comfortable leaving the coccoon of academia, etc.

There are perfectly valid reasons for doing multiple degrees of course, but the above three reasons are what (in my experience) tend to dominate - so I don't suggest throwing your hat in the ring with them.

I don't necessarily agree with this unless the degrees are wildly different in nature and they are done one directly after the other.

Being in the workplace for 10+ years I could see how being a software developer and having a completely separate degree from the first would be useful if it is either related to the current field you are working/developing for or for one you plan to move into later.

I think there is no blanket statement applicable here and it would have to be judged on the full picture of what the person is looking at doing and wanting to achieve. That being said OP does seem to not exactly know what they are trying to achieve so your comments may be valid.

To the OP, I have done and currently am doing studies through Unisa, however they are related to my current field and probably why employers see the value. It does seem like you want to do it for the sake of doing it and wanting 2 for the sake of it too which is not really the way to look at it. You also run the risk of getting bored as it is a commitment of time and money for many years. My advice would be to choose the route that will serve you best in your chosen profession and build upon that with an honours and possibly masters. This will also demonstrate a willingness to grow and a keen interest in what you have chosen to do in life rather than being the king of the degrees.