Times Higher Education | 2 March 2014
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An online university established to take higher education to disadvantaged students around the world has received accreditation.
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An online university established to take higher education to disadvantaged students around the world has received accreditation.
The University of the People, which offers undergraduate degrees in computer science and business administration, has been accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council in the US just in time for its first graduating class, which is due to complete its studies in April.
Although students pay a registration fee determined by the gross domestic product of their country of residence, along with a $100 (£60) administration fee for each exam they sit, those who cannot afford it can apply for a range of scholarships.
To complete an undergraduate degree, 40 exams must be passed, bringing the total cost of a degree to around $4,000 (£2,400). The university currently has 700 students from 142 countries, although the first graduating class contains only seven students.
