The Immoral List

When exploring postgraduate education, one expects clarity in program requirements, especially from institutions that claim to offer accessible and flexible learning opportunities. However, my recent interaction with UniAthena and their representative, Jenny Cooper, has been anything but clear, leaving me frustrated and questioning their transparency.

The Confusion Begins

My inquiry was simple: I sought clarification on the eligibility requirements for postgraduate certificates and diplomas offered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Cambridge International Qualifications (CIQ). Their fact sheets and website information were inconsistent—some sections stated there were “no formal requirements,” while others mentioned a requirement for a bachelor’s degree or substantial work experience.

Naturally, I reached out to their information team to get a definitive answer. Instead of clarity, I received a vague response from Jenny Cooper reiterating that there are two admission routes:

1. The Academic Route, requiring a bachelor’s degree.
2. The Mature Entry Route, requiring a diploma and five years of managerial experience.

But this didn’t answer my question. If there were truly “no formal requirements,” why list educational prerequisites at all? What does “no formal requirements” even mean in this context?

The Endless Email Loop

Determined to get a real answer, I followed up multiple times. Each response I received from Jenny Cooper was a near copy-paste of the previous one, never addressing my specific question. Even when I explicitly pointed this out, I was met with yet another generic response asking me to specify the course I was interested in—despite my inquiries being about general policies applicable across their programs.

Adding to the confusion, I sought clarification on whether their certificates and diplomas were academic or professional qualifications. Their own materials listed CIQ certificates as “professional certification,” yet they failed to distinguish whether their diplomas followed the same classification.

Frustration Sets In

The most frustrating part of this entire experience wasn’t just the lack of clarity—it was the unwillingness of Jenny Cooper and UniAthena’s representatives to directly answer my questions. When I finally confronted them about their copy-paste responses and lack of engagement, my emails went unanswered for weeks. Only after another follow-up did they return with the same circular answer.

This experience left me questioning the credibility of UniAthena. If an institution struggles to provide clear and consistent information about admission requirements, how can one trust their academic integrity? Transparency is crucial in higher education, and prospective students deserve straightforward answers—not bureaucratic runarounds.

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering UniAthena for your postgraduate studies, be prepared for a frustrating experience when seeking information. Their reluctance to provide direct answers raises concerns about their commitment to student support and transparency. While their programs may offer flexible learning opportunities, the lack of clear communication makes the admission process unnecessarily difficult.

At the end of the day, prospective students deserve institutions that respect their time and inquiries. Unfortunately, based on my experience, UniAthena and Jenny Cooper have failed in this regard.