For a long time, I had wanted to formally study computer science, not just to pick up another framework or ship another project, but to fill in the foundational gaps that self-taught engineers often carry around quietly. Earlier this year, I finally took the plunge and enrolled at University of the People (UoPeople) for their Bachelor of Computer Science (BCS) program. I’m only a short way in, but I’m already convinced it was one of the better decisions I’ve made.
Here’s what the experience has been like so far.
Why University of the People?
A few things drew me in:
- Tuition-free model. UoPeople is a US-accredited, non-profit online university. There’s no tuition; you only pay modest assessment fees per course. For a working professional with a family and bills, this matters more than any brochure can convey.
- Fully online and asynchronous. No fixed lecture times. I can read, write, and submit on my own schedule: late at night, early in the morning, on weekends.
- Global student body. My classmates are from dozens of countries. That diversity shows up in every discussion forum.
- Real accreditation. UoPeople is accredited by the DEAC, recognized by the US Department of Education and CHEA. It’s a real degree, not a certificate program in disguise.
Balancing a Full-Time Job with a Degree
I work full-time as a software engineer, so the most honest question I asked myself before enrolling was: can I actually sustain this?
So far, the answer is yes, but it takes intent. Each course runs for 9 weeks, and every week has a predictable rhythm:
- Reading assignments: textbooks, lecture notes, and supplementary materials.
- Discussion forum post: write a substantive response to the week’s prompt.
- Peer assessments: read and grade a few classmates’ submissions.
- Written assignment: a short paper or technical exercise.
- Learning journal: a private reflection submitted to the instructor.
- Graded quiz: a quick check on the week’s concepts.
It sounds like a lot, and the first week it felt overwhelming. By the third week, it became a routine: about 10 to 15 hours per week of focused effort. I block out an hour or two on weekday evenings and a longer stretch on Saturdays.
What I Like the Most
1. The Peer-Assessment Model
At first, peer grading sounded gimmicky. In practice, I love it. Reading three or four classmates’ assignments every week is genuinely one of the best parts of the course: you see how someone in Kenya, Brazil, or Germany approached the same problem differently than you did. You learn to give constructive feedback, and you start writing your own submissions with a reader in mind.
2. Discussion Forums That Actually Discuss
Every week’s forum is busy and substantive. People aren’t gaming participation points; they’re genuinely interested. I’ve had threads that turned into mini-debates about programming paradigms, ethics in computing, and career paths in tech.
3. Self-Pacing Without Drift
The 9-week structure is short enough that you can’t really procrastinate, but long enough that one bad week doesn’t sink you. You can take one course per term, two if you’re feeling ambitious. I’m doing one course at a time, and that pace feels right for someone working full-time.
4. The Cost
I cannot overstate how meaningful the affordability is. The total cost of the BCS, end to end, is a fraction of what an equivalent degree costs almost anywhere else. It removes the financial anxiety that often turns “I’d love to study CS” into “I can’t justify it.”
A Few Honest Caveats
It wouldn’t be a fair post without these:
- You drive your own learning. There are no live lectures pulling you forward. If you’re someone who needs structure imposed from outside, this will be hard.
- Peer grading has variance. Most peers grade thoughtfully; some don’t. Instructors moderate the worst outliers, but you have to make peace with imperfect feedback occasionally.
- The pace is steady. A 9-week term that overlaps with a busy month at work is real pressure. Plan ahead.
None of these are dealbreakers; they’re just the reality of an online, asynchronous, peer-driven program.
What I’m Studying
The BCS curriculum covers the core of a traditional CS degree: programming fundamentals, data structures, algorithms, databases, operating systems, networks, software engineering, and discrete mathematics, along with general-education courses in English, statistics, and the humanities. As someone who’s been writing production code for years, I expected the introductory programming course to feel slow, and parts of it did, but the structured exposure to topics I’d never formally studied (formal CS theory, written communication about technical work, the academic style of problem decomposition) is exactly what I came for.
Would I Recommend It?
Wholeheartedly, especially if you’re:
- A self-taught developer who wants to fill in the formal CS foundation.
- A working professional who can’t pause your career to study full-time.
- Someone for whom tuition cost is a real barrier to a traditional university.
- Anyone who values flexibility, global community, and a degree built around adult learners.
UoPeople isn’t going to be the right fit for everyone. If you need a campus, a cohort that meets in person, or the ceremony of traditional university life, you’ll feel its absence here. But if what you want is a credible, affordable, well-structured path through a computer science degree that respects the rest of your life, it’s hard to beat.
Final Thoughts
A few weeks in, I’m energized. I’m reading more carefully than I have in years. I’m writing again, in a structured, academic register that’s a useful counterweight to the terse, code-first writing of my day job. And I’m meeting people from all over the world who are putting in the same evening hours I am, for the same reason: to learn.
If you’ve been quietly considering UoPeople, take this as a gentle nudge. Enroll, start with one course, and see how it feels. The bar to begin is low; the experience, so far, has been remarkably high.
If you’re thinking of applying or are already enrolled, I’d love to hear from you, so feel free to reach out.