CoursePal recently had the opportunity to catch up with Dr. Craig Marsh, Director of International Academic Delivery, from Laureate Online Education, the online learning partner to The University of Liverpool.  We talked with Dr. Marsh about what may be on the minds of many prospective students. Here is our exclusive interview:

CoursePal:  If a prospective student were to ask you “What are the top 3 reasons to consider applying to the University of Liverpool for an online degree?” what would your answer be?

Dr. Marsh:  First - reputation. When considering studying for a degree, any prospective candidate has to ask what the market value is of the awarding University, especially when their hard-earned MSc, MBA or DBA is listed on their CV. Employers pay attention not only to the type of qualification, but to the awarding University, when making a judgement about the value of the qualification to them. The University of Liverpool is highly regarded – consistently ranked one of the top research institutions in the UK.

Second - quality. The quality of the degree is important to both students and employers. Online students receive a degree from the University of Liverpool which is equivalent in quality and reputation to the on-campus degree.

Third - flexibility. Our online degrees allow students to balance their careers at the same time as studying. It is not an easy option; a quality education is never such. But our degrees offer the possibility of ‘having your cake and eating it’ – staying in work, and enhancing your skills and marketability.

CoursePal:  How do prospective employers tend to view a degree from the University of Liverpool’s online programme versus that of a traditional university?

Dr. Marsh:  The University of Liverpool is a ‘traditional university’; and the fact that our alumni have studied for their degrees online is irrelevant to how employees view it, even if they know that it was online.

CoursePal:  What type of workload can a student in one of your degree programmes expect and how long does it typically take to complete a degree?

Dr. Marsh:  The workload is a challenge, and I am always amazed, and humbled, at the enormous effort our graduates have made to achieve their degrees, at the same time as managing a busy lifestyle and preserving their family lives! We expect students to commit around 15 – 20 hours a week when they are in class, and classes typically run for 8 weeks (10 weeks on the DBA). Students will usually take breaks between classes, so on average students should expect to complete their degree in 2 ½ years (8 classes and a 9 month dissertation plus study breaks) but most take about 3 or 4.

CoursePal:  What is the most frequently asked question you get from prospective students and how do you answer it?

Dr. Marsh:  Students of course want to know how their degree will help them in their careers – by enhancing their marketability either internally or externally. In short they want to know what the ROI (return on their investment) is of their degree. If I can answer this in terms of market competition, students with a postgraduate degree from the University of Liverpool are placing themselves in an exclusive market niche. The percentage of the world’s population with a higher degree is still vanishingly small. The inexorable rise of the global economy, on the other hand, is creating an increasing demand for such qualified people; that is, a demand for individuals with entrepreneurial flair and a sound basis in research - led education. Add the globally diverse nature of our online classrooms and you have a potent mix of capabilities. How they are used, of course, is still up to our students! But they are unlikely to find a better platform on which to realise their ambitions.

CoursePal:  What advice would you give to someone considering an online degree from the University of Liverpool?

Dr. Marsh:  Be prepared for the commitment it will take, and make sure you discuss it with your family. An online degree with us is no easy option. Many students find that, like any ambitious undertaking, it’s a life – changing experience. With a clear eye on the goal, and an appreciation of the value of the commitment, then you can and will succeed.

CoursePal:  Although you offer diverse masters degree programmes and recently added a doctoral programme, can you describe a “typical profile” of your online students?

Dr. Marsh:  With students from over 180 countries, it’s tough to generalize! In fact when I’ve taught a class, the extent of diversity in the classroom has always astonished me. A problem raised by a student in Egypt can be discussed by students from the US, Germany and Nigeria and solved by a student in South Africa. However, there are some common characteristics to those who succeed. They are open minded, are able to think critically about the world around them, and apply their learning to the problems discussed in the classroom. They are able to shed their preconceived ideas about how the world works – turn it upside down, and then straighten it out again! They are able to support the learning of their fellow students in the class, knowing that they will learn something from them in return. And they all have valuable experience in organisations which allows them to really understand the classroom work, because they’ve probably seen something like it before (the ‘yes, I know what you’re getting at’ phenomenon!)

CoursePal:  According to the Financial Times, you’re ranked among the top 10 eLearning institutions worldwide. Given all your success and experience with online education, what are some things you’ve learned about what it takes to be a successful student at the University of Liverpool online?

Dr. Marsh:  There is no magic formula of academic qualifications and work experience that equates to being a successful student. The majority of our students have a combination of work experience and academic qualifications, but some students have not experienced higher education before and have instead accumulated vast knowledge of their specialism through years of work. It certainly doesn’t matter where you are from, as we’ve got students worldwide studying with us. Even motivations are different; some people are looking to start their own business or move into upper management, others want to use their knowledge to improve the lives of people in their community.

What does distinguish a successful student on our programmes is ambition, the desire to change their lives for the better, and the willingness to put the effort in to achieve their dreams.

CoursePal:  If someone is interested in pursuing an education with the University of Liverpool online and submits a form requesting further information, what information can they expect to receive?

Dr. Marsh:  The first thing they can expect is a phone call from their personal Enrolment Advisor. They will discuss their academic goals and motivations for studying, advise which of our programmes is most suitable for that person, and provide information about that programme and the process of online study itself.

CoursePal:  Are there any limitations to studying for a University of Liverpool online degree?

Dr. Marsh:  Very few! Obviously one essential is reliable internet access, but if you live in a part of the world where you can only get dial-up service over a phone line then you will still be able to study with us. Our programmes are part-time, so your studies are also not going to get in the way of your work. In fact the vast majority of our students are professionals with demanding careers and family commitments. And it doesn’t matter where you are in the world, because you decide when to study – there are no set times for classes, our online classroom is open 24 hours a day so you can study when you have the time. So virtually anywhere in the world, no matter how busy your life is, you can study with us.

CoursePal:  Can you describe your general admission criteria?

Dr. Marsh:  In general we look for a Bachelors degree from a recognised University, some applicable work experience, and a sufficient command of the English language.

We assess every application on an individual basis. If an applicant has a substantial amount of applicable work experience but do not hold a Bachelors degree, they may still meet the admission criteria. This is why a vital part of the process is talking to your personal Enrolment Advisor; they will be able to assess whether you meet the relevant criteria depending on the programme you choose.

Interviewee: Dr. Craig Marsh, Director of International Academic Delivery, from Laureate Online Education, the online learning partner to The University of Liverpool

Click here or on the logo above to receive free personalized information on The University of Liverpool's online degree programs.