I regret having signed up
I enrolled in this degree program because, after entering the field through an accelerated training course, I found the subject interesting and wanted to invest in my education.
During the preliminary interviews (before starting the program), I was told that this course was mainly designed for those wishing to enter the sector or for those, like me, who were already working. I was assured that classes would therefore also be scheduled at times accessible to working students, and that a personal coach would be available throughout the entire study path.
The reality was very different. About the personal coach, there was not a trace—not a name, not a contact, nothing at all.
Out of six courses in the first semester, only one was held in the evening and therefore accessible to me as a worker. The other five I had to follow via recorded lectures in English—some of which were of very poor quality, with constant cuts, bad English, and classes consisting of little more than someone reading from a script. I still tried to keep up despite the difficulties, but things only got worse from there.
Due to personal and professional commitments (for which I take responsibility), I only managed to complete four out of six exams in the first semester. To pass the semester, 60% of the ECTS credits were required. With my four exams, I had 18 out of 30 ECTS—enough to meet the requirement. However, there was a clause stating that if one or more exams were validated externally (as in my case, with a work-related validation), then the 60% threshold applied only to the remaining exams. This meant I ended up with 13 out of 24 ECTS—just one credit short of the 60% requirement.
I asked the administration if there was any flexibility, given that I was only one point below the threshold, and that with my validated exam I would have met the requirement anyway. I also pointed out that I had been unable to attend one exam session because it clashed with unavoidable work obligations.
I was politely but firmly told that nothing could be done. So now, after just one semester, I find myself questioning this entire path—trapped between having already invested a significant amount of money (which, by contract, I cannot recover) and the awareness that even if I meet every future deadline, I will be forced to spend around €5,000 for the extra year this situation will cost me.
I understand the importance of professionalism and acknowledge my share of responsibility, but frankly, this attitude feels purely exploitative. I had hoped for an engaging, cutting-edge program, and instead I find myself in what feels like a prototype, with questionable content but elite-level costs. If I could go back, I would absolutely not enroll.
February 10, 2025
Unprompted review