I would genuinely give SAE a zero star rating if I could!

My experience at this university has been extremely disappointing, and unfortunately, many of my peers share the same concerns. A major issue is the severe lack of organization and communication across all levels. Critical information is often provided late, leaving students scrambling to meet deadlines without proper guidance. While the coursework itself can be valuable, the way it is delivered often leaves students feeling unsupported and lost.

Lecturers are frequently disorganized, severely understaffed, and stretched across multiple subjects and student intakes. Response times are slow, and in some cases, students may receive no reply at all. The support office and general help channels are largely unhelpful, with concerns routinely ignored or delayed. This leaves distance students to navigate complex assignments largely on their own, often being “thrown in the deep end” without adequate instruction.

The use of AI to detect AI-generated work in assignments has caused additional stress. False positives occur frequently, requiring students to submit extensive documentation to prove their innocence. Failure to resolve such issues can result in immediate zeros and disciplinary hearings if repeated, creating a high-pressure environment that feels punitive rather than supportive.

Despite this being a part-time degree advertised over four years as requiring only a few hours of work per day, the workload is overwhelming. Students often receive multiple assignments that are nearly identical to previously completed work, compounding the frustration. While the university emphasizes student time management, poor internal planning and delayed communication mean students can face penalties of 10–30% for circumstances entirely beyond their control.

Overall, while the academic content has potential, the lack of organization, poor communication, and insufficient support make the distance campus experience extremely challenging. I would not suggest the distance campus to anyone; it is genuinely an awful experience. I cannot speak for the in-person campus, but students considering distance learning should strongly consider alternative universities.