(08-30-2023, 01:48 AM)Johann Wrote: I'd watch this place VERY carefully. They've been around since 2018, raised a lot of cash from investors and pivoted their aim once or twice. They were going to be the "First Blockchain University" and that idea seems to have somewhat subsided. Now they talk about "Accreditation as a Service." Seemingly other colleges, or even consortia, can obtain  accreditation under their umbrella. Sounds like a buzzword to me. They tend to use the word "accreditation" rather loosely.

They are indeed accredited by Malta - as a Higher Education Institution or similar. They have permission to operate in 3 US states but no recognized US accreditation, though they list these permissions under "Accreditation." They have various groups in their chain that do not seem to be Universities. That includes a large-ish multinational Doctoral Studies Consortium that awards PhDs. Perhaps they are validated by Woolf. Exactly how it works (if it does) is not clear to me.

One of Woolf's constituent elements is a bunch of offerings by UpGrad. UpGrad is known to enrol people in a special low-cost (~$8500-$10K) DBA  at a French school, ESGCI, Paris. Although that school may award the degree legally, it is beyond the institution's scope  and, for that reason, does not carry French State recognition. That's something UpGrad (Indian owned - by Ronnie Screwvala) doesn't  tell you in the blurb. I've looked at quite a few Upgrad offerings and I'm uneasy with some blanket statements about the almost universal acceptability of some of the degrees. That said, billionaire Ronnie (Rohinton) Screwvala is a very interesting guy. You might want to look him up. The Wiki is a good read.

There's considerable press re: Woolf. Some links here. I'd be very careful.

https://www.tonybates.ca/2018/06/19/woolf-university-the-airbnb-of-higher-education-or-a-sheep-in-wolfs-clothing/
https://blog.edtechie.net/edtech/woolf-university-whither-the-blockchain/
https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_do_you_think_of_the_new_Woolf_university_blockchain_university_concept

(08-30-2023, 02:38 PM)elcastor21 Wrote: Their supposed accreditation in Malta is programatic for certain Masters, most of their programs are ironically, seemingly fully unnacredited.

elcastor21 Wrote:They have called themselves a Collegiate University as a Service "Similar to Harvard or Oxford", and have had a Computer Science program but only for certain students in some African country zone.

Their supposed accreditation in Malta is programatic for certain Masters, most of their programs are ironically, seemingly fully unnacredited.

You can see which programs are accredited in Malta here: https://qualifications.mfhea.gov.mt/#/qualifications and search for your individual program/course.

Edit: They seem to have their PhD accredited: https://qualifications.mfhea.gov.mt/#/qualifications?name=doctor&provider=MFHEA-ORG-048&search=true

(09-01-2023, 09:27 AM)Stanislav Wrote: One thing to clear up... Woolf is not defined by upGrad in any way. upGrad is one of 22 their "folleges" (franchises? customers?). In fact, Woolf's functions are to 1) make sure none of their colleges is a degree mill (hard to tell, but I don't see blatant mills in the list), and 2) submit paperwork to MFHEA and get programs on the official Malta-accredited list (demonstrably successful in that). So far, so good. The only question remaining is whether they can avoid slipping up and keep recognition for foreseeable future. 

That said, I was looking at this program: 

Master of Business Administration (woolf.university)

It's from upGrad, and their plan is to get approval from ACCA so students can get 9 exemptions (out of 14) from ACCA exams, leading to recognized accounting designation. If they can do that, and teaching is good enough to pass Strategic Professional exams as well... For $3K, I see it as a very viable option for someone changing careers to accounting or finance fields (primarily not in the USA - I'm not sure there is a direct path from something like this to CPA designation. But in much of the world, CPA and ACCA are credentials on the same level). ACCA is one of 6 recognized accounting designations in UK, very popular worldwide. It is seemingly big in southeastern Asia, where upGrad presumably has expertise. Not bad, not bad at all. I actually passed the ACCA exams and completed University of London MS Professional Accountancy. This makes me an "Associate" ACCA member.

ps. there is a PDF brochure of this program on upGrad website, but it is not linked from main page. Looks like they are not actively advertising it yet. In contrast, GoIT, a Ukrainian software developer training company with offices in other countries, actively promotes their Woolf MSCS program.

(09-01-2023, 10:31 AM)sarahmac Wrote: 9 of 14 exemptions is a big deal!! 

This program would potentially be a massive offering to the UK market, ACCA is the benchmark standard. There is also reciprocity with NZ and AUS too so that is huge for AUS migration and visa points in particular. Someone could do this program for 3k, finish off the ACCA, and apply for a professional AUS State sponsored permanent visa since its a "needed profession".


I don't know how someone would finish the ACCA while in the US though. One of the requirements last time I checked is a couple years experience in the job, being supervised at a firm where at least one person above you is ACCA qualified. My partner is pursuing the ACCA exams currently but it was only possible because one of the people above him is a British contractor working for the DoD, otherwise it would have been CPA only.

(08-30-2023, 12:09 AM)bjcheung77 Wrote: Global Center for Advanced Studies - GCAS Woolf Link: https://gcas.woolf.university/
GCAS Webpage & WIKI https://gcas.ie/ : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Center_for_Advanced_Studies
GCAS provides inexpensive degrees, I would only recommend the extremely affordable doctorate offerings

MA Degree Info
Length: 1 Year
Tuition Costs: 5,000€
Requirements: 90 Credits, MA Thesis, Defense
Prerequisites: BA Degree or higher

MA in Philosophy (EU Accredited)
MA in Theology (EU Accredited)
MA in Politics (Accreditation Expected Sep 2023)
MA in Psychoanalysis (EU Accredited)

Ph.D. Degree Info
Length: 3 Year
Tuition Costs: 5,000€
Requirements: 180 Credits, Courses, Dissertation, Defense
Prerequisites: Masters Degree or higher

Ph.D. Specializations Offered at GCAS:
Philosophy
Philosophy & Psychoanalysis
Critical Theory
Social & Political Thought
Theology
Anthropology
Psychology