clanger32 wrote:
Assume an average modular cost of £40k and an average integrated cost of £60k (because, let's face it here, OAT always gets a bashing and gets used as the litmus test, but you can go to Cabair or FTE cheaper). It is OFTEN mentioned on here that Mod students take 18 months/2 years of FI work AFTER they finish their studies to get that first Jet RHS ride. If we assume 2 years to complete a modular course of studies, then that's four years in which you will maybe make £30k gross from FI work and have spent £40k
If an Integrated course takes two years to complete and place in a jet job, then averaging £30k p.a. means in that same four years you will have spent £60k and earned £60k, not to mention two years extra seniority.
You can see from this example that if this scenario occured, a four year plan to get to the same place would see you net £10k down through modular and all square integrated. Food for thought, is it not.
The £40k modular route is ONLY a bargain if you can get a job as quickly.
and also:
The only thing I'd slightly disagree with (and would accept I'm not really in a place to comment one way or the other) is that Once again as always happens in this tedious debate ad nauseum, you've fallen into the trap of comparing what seems to be the minimum you can do modular for, with the max you could spend at Oxford (the most expensive of the integrated courses). So REALLY not comparing like for like, which is both an unfair comparison and misleading to those looking for information.
You also have fallen into the trap of not comparing like with like - you have fallen into the trap of assuming that integrated go straight into jobs, but modular students don't. You've also assumed that modular students don't earn anything whilst studying - but the abilty to learn whilst earning is one of the big advantages of that route.
Apart from the potential difference in cost, the major difference between the two (briefly touched on by both pilotho and bri1980) is learning/teaching style.
Modular students - especially those doing distance learning - require more self discipline for the studying. The courses are less regimented, the pace of learning (whilst within set boundaries) is dictated by the student, you are studying alone and not in a group (except when on residential courses), and maintaining motivation can be very hard. A big plus is you have more flexibility in the timing of when you take the courses, and it is easier to fit it around a full time job.
Integrated study is more disciplined, the timings of the course are set as is how you work through the material. You are learning in a group environment with more instant feedback, and motivation can be easier to maintain. But you are fixed into the course structure and timetable of that institution and it is impossible to maintain a full time job whilst studying (although part time may be possible).
So whilst looking at the cost is important (after all its a big financial commitment), you also need to think very hard about the style of teaching/learning that suits you. Which is why you should never choose a course simply on cost - always look at how the courses operate as there can be big differences between institutions offering the same type of course (i.e. integrated or modular) which may affect your decision.
But whichever path you choose to take - good luck! And don;t let the naysayers here tell you you chose the wrong path - as long as you are sure you chose the right one for
you.
