What are the benefits of online learning?

Traditionally, the only way to get a degree was to go to a university and study and take exams on campus. You would either need to find a way of commuting there or live on-site, which allowed for no flexibility. This could make higher education challenging to access for many people, especially if you decided to go back to school later in life.

However, these days, there are so many other ways to study, including online and distance learning, and these options are becoming more and more popular. There is a reason why more people than ever are choosing them - and here, we look at some of the benefits of online learning so you can make up your mind.

1. You can study anywhere.

Location is no longer an issue when it comes to studying, which is excellent news if you are a mature student or have a family. You might have a job which does not allow you to be on a traditional university campus to obtain your degree. You might be more interested in degrees from universities abroad, but plane fares, accommodation, and visa formalities are preventing that from happening. Luckily, some of the top universities from all over the world offer great online programmes and degrees.

2. There is a lot more flexibility

This is especially important if you are trying to balance working with a degree or have a family to look after. An online degree means you are not tied to fixed lectures and sessions and a constrained timetable. Instead, you can study and learn at your own pace. You also usually have the chance to save lessons and replay them as often as you need. It means you can study in your work break, on your commute, while you are waiting to pick your kids up from school - when and where you study is up to you!

3. You can choose from a wide range of courses

Because of the increasing need for online education, more providers are offering courses that can be accessed remotely, so there is a broader choice than ever. You can look at studying for your Bachelor’s Degree, Masters, Ph.D., or more vocational or shorter courses. There are other courses available to teach you more specific skills, such as language or computer skills. 

4. You will get great support

Because you are not physically seeing and building up a face to face relationship with a tutor, it is not difficult to see why many people believe studying online means less support, but the opposite could not be any more accurate. Most distance learning programmes are designed to offer you plenty of help from tutors and advisors, as well as contact with any student support services available. They also tend to allow you to connect to an online platform accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with forums and chat rooms and message boards to let you chat with course tutors, professors, and fellow online students.