Student's views
Rosemarie Magloire, BSc student, England |
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"I have worked as a library assistant for many years but, in my present post, I would have more chance of winning the lottery than gaining a promotion." |
As in many school libraries, I am working as a librarian without the recognition or the financial benefit. Nevertheless, it's a job I enjoy so I'm making the best of it and BSc course gives me opportunities and flexibility:
The structure of the course is pretty straightforward, though the work is not. Trying to understand new concepts is difficult and it can be a struggle to deal with some of the reading and essay writing but the help and support the university offers is great. You can get in touch with staff by phone, email or letter and someone will always be there to lend a helping hand, a sympathetic ear or a boost of motivation. You can also get in touch with other students on the course to share the experience. So although at times you may feel alone, there are people to talk to. I never thought that it was going to be easy but I am optimistic that I will see it through because as they say 'There's no gain without pain' and with the help of family, friends and the University I'll do just that. |
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Jan Cooper, MSc Health Information Management student, Wales |
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"A university lecturer suggested to me that educational qualifications are comparable to 'a set of keys'. This particular course has already opened several doors for me in terms of career moves." |
| However, the course is much more than progression in employment. It gives you the flexibility to study when you want to, or are able to. The study schools are a legitimate escape to the sea and the rural life at Aberystwyth. These annual gatherings facilitate the sharing of experiences in a professional capacity. The study schools also foster the collective feeling of, 'well, we are all in this together'. Indeed, communication between students is an essential component of a distance learner's toolkit. At each study school the course organisers and lecturers give you the opportunity to express your opinions on the course, food, and accommodation, etc. It seems to me that the staff make every effort to accommodate students' educational and social demands. This is not entirely a one way process - lecturers expect you to meet the challenges of the course, watch out for those deadlines! | |
Wayne Dunbar, BSc student, Scotland |
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"The BSc course has opened my eyes to many aspects of library and information work which, until recently, I have not been able to get involved with." |
| Yes, it does involve a fair amount of work, but you will find that the staff at Aberystwyth and the friends you make at study school will give you encouragement to complete the course. The course means a lot to me. It will enable me to improve my work situation and give me more options for the future. Most of all, it has given me good friends all over the country. | |
Linda Erlendsdottir, MSc Management of Library and Information Services student, Iceland |
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"Three years ago I decided that it was time to add to my education." |
| Some of my colleagues here in Iceland had already gained a Masters degree by distance learning in Management of Library and Information Services at the University of Wales in Aberystwyth. All of them were very happy with their experience (even though they warned me it would be hard work!). Now I have finished two years and I have nothing but praise for the Open Learning Unit and the Department of Information and Library Studies. It has not been easy working full time and coping with all the assignments and study which the course requires, but the staff have been extremely helpful with any problems that have arisen and encouraging in times when moral support was greatly needed. Thanks! | |
Janetta Honohan, MSc Management of Library and Information Services student, Norway |
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"For many years I wanted to do a Master's course at Aberystwyth where I had taken the postgraduate Diploma in 1978. But how?" |
| I was now married and divorced, with two children to take care of and a full-time job to hold on to. It seemed impossible. When I came across the ad' for the distance learning course I began to feel that perhaps this was possible after all. I sent away for brochures a few times (yes, in the plural!) before launching into the uncharted and exciting waters.The first two years of the course were challenging, interesting, demanding and most rewarding. I don't regret it an instant, apart from the assignment deadlines. The thesis is the icing on the cake - an opportunity to wallow in a subject close to my heart, and be able to spend up to two whole years doing so, with references and sources at my fingertips.Had I known that the course would be so valuable and stimulating, I would not have waited so long in applying. | |
Shazad Hussain, MSc Health Information Management graduate, Saudi Arabia |
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"I started the Health Information Management course while I was working within an IT department in a hospital in Saudi Arabia." |
| The main reason for joining this course was to increase my knowledge about the NHS, in particular the IT systems used in the NHS environment. I was initially hesitant in pursuing this course, as Aberystwyth is so far from Saudi Arabia. However, this did not prove to be a problem as the staff were always very helpful and efficient in answering my queries via phone, fax or email. The most difficult part of the course was trying to finish the assignments on time. The assignments were always very interesting and required students to research for information in libraries and read relevant articles around the subject. It was a time consuming process but it made me realise and recognise the effort required to write an effective document. Detailed assignment feedback highlighted the weakness and strengths of my work and enabled me to perform better next time! The best part of the course for me was the dissertation in the final year. The dissertation offers you an opportunity to explore an area of your interest (approved by the Department). It was hard work for three years (with long summer breaks), but the course taught me great deal about information and information management. I believe I have become more disciplined and methodical in my approach to work. | |
Martin Bridgeman, MSc Health Information Management student, Ireland |
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"Despite having over 18 year's experience in IT systems support management, I find the course is of tremendous value to me professionally." |
| It has broadened my view about the use of information as an asset. It has focused my mind and my work on the key component in the information business, the user. The greater the understanding that one gains of the user in terms of information needs and information behaviour, the greater the IT solutions that we provide.The practical focus that the course provides was a key aspect in the decision to undertake the course, and in my receiving sponsorship. In practical terms, a number of proposals from my assignments have been acted on by my employers. They continue to benefit from the work I undertake as part of the course with my dissertation being the basis for a Quality Assurance of a major IT project. On a personal level, the course provides the right balance for my circumstances and the pace of study allows me to have a life too! The residential schools add an important layer of understanding and camaraderie, and the personal contact with tutors is invaluable. I also believe that the qualification is essential to the career of the modern healthcare IT professional or those professionals who use and depend on IT to provide patient care. | |
Paul Massey, MSc Health Information Management student, England |
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"It was quite a shock to the system when I started the Master's course. Thirty years had frittered by since I'd done any regular studying!" |
| It took will power to settle down to the 3 Rs, reading, researching and writing! It wasn't easy to sacrifice evenings, weekends and some occasional annual leave but once I'd started, there was no looking back. It doesn't work for everyone but I found that maintaining contact with my peers kept me going. It was reassuring to learn that I wasn?t the only person who didn't understand something or was a bit behind schedule! My role as Information Manager of a Mental Health Trust has been greatly enhanced by the knowledge I have gained from the course. I am more confident and competent in my approach to projects, particularly those involving users and believe that my improved knowledge base will stand me in good stead for the future. | |
Ann Riordan, BSc graduate, Ireland |
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"Studying for my BSc degree has given me confidence in both my academic ability and my role in the organisation." |
| Being a busy working mother, I found the studying pace ideal. I enjoyed the assignments and found them to be constantly work-relevant. I was impressed with the level of support I received from the staff and, although studying from abroad, I never felt isolated (unlike when I was a full-time student, one among thousands). I am now going on to do a Masters by distance learning, something I was only dreaming about a few years ago. But the best thing about the course was the friends I made. I felt sad when I finished! | |
Peter Siggery, BSc student, England |
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"Returning to education after more than thirty years was scary but with redundancy looming I needed a formal qualification and the Department of Information and Library Studies at Aberystwyth provided the answer." |
| The BSc in Information and Library Studies by distance learning allows me the flexibility to study at my own pace while still earning a living. The quality of the course modules together with the level of support from staff and other students takes away most of the fear that I won't be able to cope. I am learning at a distance from Aberystwyth but never feel that I am learning on my own. There is no doubt it is hard work and sometimes takes a lot to keep going, but I am determined to graduate and it is no longer just a qualification. It has become a very worthwhile experience. | |