Firstly, it’s a university. Regardless of the actual educational value, university qualifications are generally percieved as being of a higher value than polytech. However, I’m satified with the quality of the education, and Massey is rated in the top 200 worldwide.

Secondly, extramural is very different to on campus study. If you find it hard to work alone it can be quite challenging, especially if it’s an area you’re not familiar with. The contact courses are invaluable and are worth the effort to attend. All of the course coordinators are very accessible and helpful, but it’s not like being there.

Time-wise: The first course material arrived a week before my first child was born, so it was a hard first year with a new baby, work and .25FTE. It does get easier. This year I did .5FTE for the second half and didn’t have a problem with time. The only thing is work sufferred a bit because I dropped from doing 45-50hrs/week to about 42. I’m not too upset about that though because I’m only paid for 40.

As somebody that’s done err at least one paper what’s your opinion of the whole thing?

And how did it work out time-wise with kids and all that (I’ve just got the one toddler…but who knows when he’ll have a sibling arrive).