Student review [#101252] for BS Computer Science
at University of the People - UoPeople

Would I “like” University of the People?
Yes, I would — for the right person and situation. I’m a big believer in education that removes barriers, and UoPeople is built around that idea. But it’s not perfect for everyone. Here’s my honest take:

What I like about UoPeople

1. True accessibility
This is the biggest win. UoPeople is tuition-free, online, and US-accredited. For someone in Blantyre juggling self-employment, power cuts, and data costs, that matters. You don’t need to relocate, quit your job, or pay $40k/year. You just need internet and discipline. That model opens doors for thousands who’d otherwise be locked out of a degree.

2. Flexibility without losing structure
As a self-employed person, I can’t do 9am lectures. UoPeople’s asynchronous model means I study at 11pm after client work, or 5am before meetings. Yet there’s still structure — weekly deadlines, peer discussions, real professors. It’s not “watch YouTube and hope.” You’re accountable.

3. Practical, global peer learning
Your classmates are in Nigeria, India, Brazil, Ukraine. In Computer Science, we review each other’s code and debate solutions. That exposure to different ways of thinking is something you don’t get in a local classroom. It prepares you for remote work, which is where the world is going.

4. Forces real skills
UoPeople doesn’t hand-hold. You learn to research, write academically, manage time, and teach yourself. In tech, those are survival skills. My first year improved my writing and self-discipline more than any coding tutorial. The peer-assessment system, though tough, makes you read critically and give feedback — just like code reviews at a real job.

5. Accredited + transferable
It’s accredited by DEAC and WASC now. Credits can transfer. Employers are starting to recognize it, especially in tech where portfolio > school name. I’ve seen UoPeople grads get into Master’s programs and jobs at big firms. It’s legit.

What I dislike / the hard parts

1. It’s not easy
“Tuition-free” gets misread as “easy.” It’s not. The workload is heavy: readings, discussion posts, written assignments, peer reviews, exams — every week. You need 15-20 hours per course. If you’re working full-time, 2 courses per term is the max for most people. Dropout rates are high because people underestimate this.

2. Peer quality varies
Peer assessment is brilliant in theory. In practice, some classmates give one-line feedback or don’t understand the material. You’ll sometimes get graded unfairly and have to appeal. You need thick skin and to focus on learning, not just grades.

3. Limited hands-on support
There are no campus labs, no in-person office hours. If you’re stuck on a programming bug at 2am, it’s YouTube, Stack Overflow, and prayer. Program advisors reply by email, but it’s not instant. Self-motivation isn’t optional — it’s the entire system.

4. Hidden costs exist
“Tuition-free” is true, but you pay $60 exam fees per course, plus application fee. A full Bachelor’s is ∼$5,000. That’s still 95% cheaper than US schools, but not zero. And you need a laptop + stable internet. In Malawi, data and electricity are real costs to budget for.

5. Name recognition
Some employers still ask “University of where?” UoPeople doesn’t have the brand pull of MIT or even UNIMA. In tech, your GitHub and projects matter more, but for traditional careers, you’ll do extra explaining.

So, would I recommend it?
If you’re self-motivated, need flexibility, can’t afford traditional university, and want a real degree — 100% yes. It’s how I’m studying Computer Science while running my business.

But if you need in-person lectures, struggle with deadlines, or want the “campus life” experience — it’ll frustrate you.

UoPeople is a tool. Like any tool, it works if you use it right. For me, the pros outweigh the cons because it fits my reality: building in Blantyre, for the world.