Oval International: Any good?

[DarkStar]

Heya guys.

Due to financial reasons, I can't study at where I wanted to this year and hence am looking for alternatives.

I want to go into programming (my first choice was IT Intellect), but right now I'm nearing the point that anything will do.

After a few interviews, our last hope is Oval International.

What I can get from them is a 'Diploma in Information Technology (Application Developement & Networking)' (keep in mind that this is over a 3 yar period)

My questions are: Will they be of any benefit to me? And what exactly does "Application Developement & Networking" mean? Are these guys up to date with the latest language etc. ?

Please help, guys. I don't want to take a gap year.

[Prime]

I hope they don't lead you in circles.

You could contact one of the education bodies and check if they square up?

They might even be able to tell you if how long ovals been a-round.



Ok, seriously, is it a private institution? Cos afaik all private education places need a licence to operate.

Thats all i can offer you.

[DarkStar]

Ok, I phoned them now asking for a few details.

Firstly, they've been around for 20 years.

Also, they're teaching VB.NET and Java (this year, at least).

Of how much use is VB.NET going to be to me?

[Hex_Rated]

Lots of places use VB.NET but it's not the language you're learning, it's how to program. Once you've learned one language, the next comes much easier.

Offering networking and development in one diploma is a bit strange though, normally you would want to do one or the other and only in a few cases both.

[DarkStar]

http://www.harding.edu/fmccown/vbnet_cs ... rison.html

After looking at that, I have a renewed hope for life, lol.

Let's say they're teaching me VB.NET 2003. Will this be of any use to me? What will I be missing out (in terms of updated features).

[Hex_Rated]

Ideally you should be learning the .NET 3.5 framework (VB.NET in Visual Studio 2008). There are differences between 2003 and 2005. You might be expected to learn VB6, 2003, 2005 after you've done 2008 so you can support legacy apps depending on what type of company you work for - but it should be easy.

[Mow]

Dude consider unisa . get a degree or consider microsoft c# certification. I would not study vb as a primary language . It easy enough to pick up later .

[Hex_Rated]

I agree, if you're studying for 3 years rather look at a Bsc Comp Sci. It's about R10k/year at UNISA which is probably much less than what you're paying at a college. Problem is you'll only be able to start in June/July because they closed the applications for this semester.

[DarkStar]

Ok, a question about Unisa:

Do they have a teaching centre (or whatever it's called) in Pietermaritzburg? Or would I have to go to Durban to study?

One of the main reasons why I'm going Oval is because I don't have to travel to Durban every day.

[Mow]

Unisa is completely correspondence . They have classes but you don't need to attend. And im willing to bet they have an exam centre in near you. Dude if your doing bsc comp then i hope your math skills are l33t.

[RuadRauFlessa]

Unisa is completely correspondence . They have classes but you don't need to attend. And im willing to bet they have an exam centre in near you. Dude if your doing bsc comp then i hope your math skills are l33t.

+1 I started with them and their material is sooo good that you don't need classes at all. Regarding the math, yes I hope your math skills are really l337 or you will have a difficult time.

[Mow]

Still i would recommend microsoft certified solution development or mcsd in c# . i believe they have changed the name but that would be a very good "math free" course in programming.

[DarkStar]

Well, I have a few criteria that NEEDS to be met for me to study at a place.

First, no more than R15 000 a year. That's all we can afford.

Second, there must be a teaching centre (not sure of the official name) in Pietermaritzburg.

[Hex_Rated]

I'm sure you'll find an MS certified exam center in PMB but I dunno about a college. You could also just get the course material and learn it yourself but it's probably better to do it at a college if you can find one.

An MCSD / equiv isn't that easy, especially if you don't know how to program yet. Maybe download some tutorials first to make sure that programming is what you definitely want to do, it's not for everyone.

[Mow]

dude the mcsd course is 12k total cost through damlin.

[justinufo]

Im sorry dude.Avoid Damelin.Terrible service.I wouldnt send anyone there.

[RuadRauFlessa]

Im sorry dude.Avoid Damelin.Terrible service.I wouldnt send anyone there.

+1 I ran a course which I was forced to do by the company I worked for. We were supposed to do the course for a 1 year period. It started almost two years ago and we aren't even half way through yet. We had to do portfolios and such and the first of them hasn't even been moderated yet.

[justinufo]

The admin is seriously messed up.I know they had a good reputation.How the heck can you give out the wrong exam

[Hex_Rated]

I know 3 people who got good service from Damlin Randburg when they were there. Although the last 1 left in 2005.

But from the above comments, they've seemed to have gone to cr4p.

[Mow]

dude , i was referring to pricing.

[DarkStar]

Well, after all of this, I'm going to go with Oval. I don't really have a choice.

Unless someone can come up with an alternative in the next couple of days.

The course I'm doing is "Diploma in IT (Application Development and Networking)"
http://oval.co.za/courses/information%20technology.pdf

Ultimately, I wanted to study at IT Intellect, and learn C#, but that's not possible. We can't afford R50k.