Recently, distance education has become increasingly popular. It turned out that people are more interested in online courses than in visiting university campuses. What is distance learning abroad? How to get distance education in the US, UK, Germany or even in Asia? How to join and what are the conditions? Are there scholarships? Let’s find out together!
What is distance education
The clue is in the name – distance education gives the opportunity to study not at university, but at home, on your own computer screen. With the help of the Internet you can watch video lectures, communicate with teachers and classmates and download educational materials.
Types of distance education
- Courses offered by universities. They are usually conducted entirely online, although some institutions give students the opportunity to meet faculty and classmates in person. Another option – all work will take place online, students need to meet only during exams. Yet there is so-called blended learning (blended learning) – a combination of conventional lectures and learning online.
- MOOC (massive open online courses). Short open online courses have made learning easier and more accessible. However, MEPs cannot replace full-fledged curricula, so in this article we will focus on university courses.
For and against
Why choose distance education?
- A good option for anyone who dreams of a diploma abroad, but does not want to leave Ukraine.
- Distance learning is usually cheaper than full-fledged university courses. In addition, it is possible to save on accommodation and flights.
- Distance education provides an opportunity to interact with representatives of other cultures. It has no borders: different time zones and continents will not affect the quality of education.
- Opportunity to study at a comfortable pace. This is a great option for people who cannot attend seminars and lectures regularly due to work or other reasons.
Distance education will not suit you if:
- You are not very disciplined – then learning at your own pace becomes a disadvantage.
- Personal contact with teachers and other students is important to you.
- You want to get a specialty (medicine, natural sciences, engineering), which requires the use of specific tools, conducting practical experiments – it is impossible while studying online.
Distance education: America
Boston University
A private university located in Boston, Massachusetts. The institution offers online programs in various subjects: criminal law, computer information systems, management.
Distance learning students are enrolled in the same faculty as on campus, have access to educational resources, and receive a formal diploma. Boston University is worth considering, at least because the institution has received many awards for its distance education.
You can choose a bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral program or get a certificate. As for the conditions of admission – each program has its own special conditions and cost, so choose the one you like and find out all the necessary information!
2. University of Florida
The oldest educational institution in the state of Florida, included in the TOP-20 state universities. The institution offers distance learning courses for doctors, specialists, masters, bachelors and some international programs. To begin training, you must meet the general conditions of admission. International students also need to provide their academic results. In addition, each remote program may have its own requirements.
Another nice bonus – the University of Florida offers financial aid to non-US residents.
3. Arizona State University
The university offers a wide range of curricula – in anthropology, business, communications and other subjects. To enter the university, international students need to fill out an online form, pay a $ 65 fee and submit their academic achievements. You will also have to confirm your level of English – this can be done using the results of ACT, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE.
Unfortunately, international students cannot receive state scholarships, but they can try to find private financial aid.
Nota Bene! Even if you passed an online law course, you aren’t able to practice as a lawyer. You should apply for the Bar Exam in Arizona, for example, if you’re located here, to get licensed to practice law.
4. University of the People
American online university with a unique learning model: education is virtually free, except for certain fees (such as exams).
To learn more about the university, you should watch the speech of its founder, Shai Reshef. Admission information is posted on the institution’s website.
Distance education: England
1. The University of Liverpool
Liverpool University offers 35 online programs: information technology, management, psychology. All of them were developed in cooperation with Laureate Online Education: an international network of higher education institutions. Diplomas for online learning have the same value as ordinary ones and are widely recognized in the world.
To begin your distance education at the University of Liverpool, you will need to fill out a form, pay a fee and provide supporting documents. In addition, international students will need to prove their level of English. More information about admission can be found on the website.
2. Anglia Ruskin University
England Ruskin offers a huge number of online courses in business, technology, finance and other subjects – choose the one you like and register! First you need to fill out an online form, download copies of your academic achievements, professional recommendations and other documents. Admission to the university is quite confusing, so it is better to use a guide that explains the whole process step by step.
3. Open University
The university was founded in 1969, and since then more than 2 million people from different countries have been educated here. Currently, about 10,000 international students study at the Open University.
The university offers a large number of online courses. To enter, you need to choose a course, qualification, register and pay for tuition.
Where else can you study remotely?
Canada
You should pay attention to the Canadian University of Athabasca (Athabasca University) and read what is required of international students to enter.
Australia
Open Universities Australia – the site contains courses from leading Australian universities, including Monash University. Bachelor’s and master’s degrees are available in a variety of specializations: culture and the arts, business, health, IT, law and law.
Unfortunately, to be eligible for government-funded courses, students must be Australian citizens or permanent residents or have the right to live in Australia permanently.
Sweden
Uppsala Universitet – the oldest university in Scandinavia – offers distance learning courses in natural sciences.