“Initially I had concerns about distance learning especially as this was to have been my first study since leaving school over 15 years ago. However, a quick conversation with helped me select the right course and get a real understanding of what would be involved.

I thoroughly enjoyed studying the course and dealing with the challenges that it brought. were always there to help if I had a question and they responded quickly and professionally on all occasions.

The course has helped me understand areas of business with which I have not yet been involved.

My career has benefited because I am now more able to add my opinions and ideas in helping solve business problems that arise in my company.”

Simon Cox, Diploma in Management (Learning)

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“I started my career late in life and though I had my experience and common sense to help me through, I sometimes found that academically I was lacking in expertise and felt I needed to address this and enhance my career prospects. I researched many options and found that RDI's enrolment procedure was clear, uncomplicated and concise. I found each step from my initial enquiry through to enrolment and starting the course went smoothly.

I have nearly finished my HND and my company have offered funding to continue and do the BA (Hons) final year top-up. I have found the support from the tutors and staff at RDI to be second to none and they have all helped me through the daunting learning process.

What I anticipated was going be a challenge for myself, having to continue to meet objectives at work in a fairly stressful environment and also having left full-time education over 25 years ago, has been an exciting time of discovery. It has also enabled me to achieve promotion at work after the first year of the HND course and a considerable pay rise. I would like to thank everyone and look forward to starting the degree top-up.”

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Name: Nicky
Age: 35
Course: HND Business (Management)
Edexcel

“The course - I am loving it! When I first started back in October 2006 I panicked and thought, "I can’t do this, I’m not smart enough, this is a huge mistake". Just over a year on, and I would recommend it to anybody! It’s also great because it’s so flexible around other commitments, like the kids.

I always wanted to finish my degree but it was one of those things you just keep putting off, until one day I realised this was getting ridiculous, if I didn’t start it soon I was never going to finish it! But the funny thing is, having done it this way round I also feel that I’m getting much more out of it, because I don’t think I would have been able to really "get" everything we’ve been learning with no life experience beforehand - it would all have been academic but I wouldn’t really have been able to put it all into context.

I have spoken to many conventional university graduates about this course and they all say the same thing - that if they could go back to university now, they would appreciate it and understand it much more than they did back then, and they think distance learning is a great way to do it. In fact, many of my friends are actually doing just that, and re-training for new careers by distance learning.

I always wanted to finish my degree but it was one of those things you just keep putting off, until one day I realised this was getting ridiculous, if I didn’t start it soon I was never going to finish it! But the funny thing is, having done it this way round I also feel that I’m getting much more out of it, because I don’t think I would have been able to really "get" everything we’ve been learning with no life experience beforehand - it would all have been academic but I wouldn’t really have been able to put it all into context.

I have spoken to many conventional university graduates about this course and they all say the same thing - that if they could go back to university now, they would appreciate it and understand it much more than they did back then, and they think distance learning is a great way to do it. In fact, many of my friends are actually doing just that, and re-training for new careers by distance learning.

Name: Paul Age: 40 Course: MBA University of Sunderland

The course can be very relaxed and intense depending upon how much study you put in but if you put the hard work in pays off, with 3 distinctions to my credit I am very pleased with my work. The MBA program has given me a greater understanding of the business world and has enabled me to do develop myself further in my current job role. My future aspirations are to use the MBA qualification amongst others, to secure a higher managerial position either in the UK or abroad.

Name: Yulando Age: 29 Course: MBA University of Sunderland

Where you live (Country/Town)?
Jamaica, West Indies

Do you work full-time/part-time and if so where? 
Full-Time (Chukka Caribbean Adventure Tours Limited)


Your reasons for choosing distance learning:
The demands of my full-time profession in accounting, the opportunity to set my own hours of study and being able to continue my studies anywhere I go.


Your experience with RDI:

Enrolment and course selection process:

The enrolment process was fairly easy and there was no specific intake date or request for registration fees. Having decided on the program of study and reviewing the requirements and tuition costs, I submitted all the necessary paper work for my application. They acknowledged receipt of my application and within the specified response time, I received a call from the Programs Co-ordinator advising of my acceptance to the programs. The formal acceptance package was received well in advance of the beginning of the program. 

Financial process

The program of my choice was reasonably priced and while, financial assistance was not offered by the university for students doing distance programs, there were various payment options to meet my financial obligation. After the initial costs to begin my study, I had the option to pay my fees in monthly instalments using bank drafts or my credit card.

Study support

The support I received during my studies is commendable. The administration office / Programme Coordinators did a very good job at addressing all my concerns and queries in a timely fashion and providing guidance where necessary. The handling / coordinating of my program had transitioned from the Jamaican office to the UK office and I could not find a distinct difference in the support delivery. It was a smooth transition and the support was consistent throughout.

The course itself

My program of study was the Masters in Business Administration (MBA) offered by the University of Sunderland. The course was not a walk in the park. It required discipline and maturity in mind and thought for this level of study being done via distance learning. Any program of this nature is going to be challenging BUT the structure of the course and the organization of the material made it manageable. 

Additionally, there was always the support of the lecturer/tutor, the blackboard (student/tutor interaction), and recommended literature to help me navigate the courses. The use of the blackboard and other technological mediums allowed us to share our views and perspectives on the many topics we came across throughout the course to solve problems and explore strategies and alternative solutions.

The program covered areas such as International Business, Modelling for Decision Making, Global Strategy and Applied Research Methods to name a few. I enjoyed the reading and the new knowledge from this program and the interactions with my course mates from their distant locations and different career fields.

Your relationship with RDI and its support staff
I had and continue to maintain a good relationship with the RDI Team. They are very supportive and efficient in the delivery of their administrative services and have always communicated effectively with me and other students on pertinent information or “things to know”.

What do you think of distance learning?
I had my reservations about distance learning initially because knowing my unpredictable working hours, I knew it would require some serious discipline and efforts to continue the program, let alone finish the program. However, having gone through the studies I can confidently say that it has been a learning experience. I had the comfort of setting my own “class hours /study time” and progressing at my own pace. The absence of the classroom setting was a welcomed change but the course kept me on the ball just the same in getting my assignments done. By just undertaking distance learning studies and successfully completing it while carrying out my full-time profession, is an accomplishment in itself for me.

What you are getting out of your programme and what you hope to achieve in the future
I am getting satisfaction that I did the program while I had a job and I’m able to impart my knowledge to others in the capacity I hold in my current organization. I believe in lifelong learning and so I will continue to build on my new knowledge from the MBA and look forward to starting and running my own company in the future.

Whether you would recommend RDI to others and why
I would and have recommended RDI to my colleagues and so far two of them have taken the plunge. They are both appreciating their new means of studying for their Masters degree. RDI has proven to be dependable and service oriented. The Universities they partner with bring to the distance-learning students the same courses offered to campus student. The only significant difference is the how and where you are studying. They have an excellent support team that offers advice and guidance and are accessibility to you. The programs are flexibility to fit into your schedule and that in itself is a plus.
 

Yulando Lee, MBA

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