Find out what it's like to study for a degree online with Cambridge Education Group, including the benefits of flexible learning and the support services you'll have access to.
We sat down with Programme Leader Michael Anthonisz, Module Leader Leila Dale and Course Adviser Chelsea to ask them about the new courses available from Cambridge Education Group (CEG), validated by London South Bank University (LSBU).
The group talked about what makes the online courses stand out, how flexible learning works, and what skills you’ll learn that can be applied in your current workplace.
Michael: CEG has a history of working with UK institutions on the delivery of online programmes, but this partnership has a slightly different look in that we have much more of a student-facing role in this programme.
Your degree will be validated by LSBU and your degree certificate will be from LSBU. However, delivery is managed and delivered by us at CEG, drawing on all that experience of working in partnerships that we've attained over the years.
Michael: The qualification that you get, along with the expertise and materials, is equivalent to anything that you would get in a British university doing a face-to-face course.
The experience on the programme is very collegiate and it's very personable and focussed on the student experience.
Leila: A lot of students ask, when should I join? What time are my lectures? What is my timetable?
You've got full flexibility. For example, let's say that you are working full time and you’re busy during the week, but you have time at the weekends. You can choose to log in and go through all the materials and guided practice during those days.
You don't have to join at a specific time. The only exclusion is a webinar once a week for one hour at a set time, when you've got the opportunity to meet with your tutor and discuss and raise any questions about the tasks and get some extra support. These webinars are also recorded if you are not able to attend every week.
Michael: Alternatively, you could imagine that you've just finished your undergraduate qualifications and you've got your first job. You want to give that your dedication, but you're also looking to plan your career in a specific direction. Then the programme offers you that flexibility to engage in the course materials as well as focus on your day job.
Chelsea: In terms of the pastoral care that you can expect as an online student, we have a dedicated student adviser team.
Before you get enrolled onto the course, you can talk to course advisers like myself. Once you're formally enrolled onto that course, then you'll get handed over to the student adviser team.
Before the course starts, you'll have a welcome week with workshops which are led by student advisers. You'll get to know how the online learning platform Canvas works.
If any extenuating circumstances come up while you’re on the course, the student adviser team can give you guidance and support.
Leila: You gain perhaps even more skills than a face-to-face student because you get time management and independent learning skills. You can come out a better manager at the end because you've got this work ethic.
You learn to work together as a group and communicate when you don't necessarily meet in person. You find other channels to communicate.
You’ll learn cultural intelligence. You meet people from different countries, different backgrounds and work together in a team. Because everything is becoming so international, it's important for project managers and business managers to have these cultural intelligence skills.
Michael: There is as much to be gained from building a network as there is from getting a qualification or engaging with the material.
The workshop sessions that are planned weekly are a good opportunity for you to mingle with other students. Additionally, throughout the course, there will be opportunities to engage with guest lectures, either virtually, or if people are willing and able to, in-person at a specific destination.
Leila: I think our current group of students is a great example of networking. They are in different countries working in a variety of areas, and they are getting to know each other and learning from each other.
Chelsea: The actual application should take you no more than about 30 minutes to complete, if you have all your supporting documents. You either speak to one of the course advisers or look on the website for all entry requirements.
If you have all that ready to go, it's just a case of submitting your application, and then it should take the academics about a fortnight to get back to you and hopefully come back with your offer.
You can chat to your course adviser at any stage of the application process. If you want some feedback on your personal statement, your course adviser can offer advice, because we know what the admissions team look for. You're fully supported through the application process.
Thank you to Michael, Leila and Chelsea for sharing their insights into studying online with CEG!
With CEG’s online, part-time courses, you can get the qualifications you need to go further in your career – without having to move, give up your job, or impact your personal commitments. Find out more: