Distance learning has been around for a long time and has evolved in a significant number of ways. Open learning basically combines online education with flexible to no admission requirements.
Here are the reasons why an open degree or a degree offered by an open university is a great choice to advance your skills.
1. Fewer admission requirements
Are you serious? I thought getting accepted to university is complicated? Well, for open courses, most institutions don’t require any specific entry requirements or qualifications, so all students are welcomed to attend, regardless of their educational background or work experience.
Also, many online universities have developed specific facilities for international or disabled students. Knowing your university cares for you can function as a great incentive in your studies.
2. You can make your own schedule
Most online degrees are structured to let you study at times most convenient to you. Some online courses do however require (online) presence during assignments, group and project work and/or exams.
And that’s not all. You don’t have to complete a programme within a specific time. Instead, you learn at your own pace and make your own decisions about how you want to follow the programme. Naturally, there are also degrees that are more closely paced, you should always check with the university about the details of your course.
3. Little need to travel
You don’t have to leave your home or workplace to pursue your study programme. That means that you can easily become a student at a university from a different continent. So why not take a chance on this cost-effective option to your study?
But, just in case, you should check if your desired course is not delivered in the blended format, as these are a combination of on-campus classes and online learning. But hey, this might mean you get to travel a bit. Can’t be much harm in that.
4. You choose your courses
Most online degrees give you the option of selecting the modules you want to study, allowing you to even transfer credits to a future academic programme. What can be better than tailoring studies to your own interests so that you develop the skills and knowledge that you actually need and use in your profession?
Plenty of open learning or online programs to apply for
Many universities now offer the option of distance or open learning. Due to an ever-widening of methods and approaches, different distance learning institutions differ in their nature of openness and their implementation of distance education.
That is why when choosing a distance learning university, you should consider their flexibility and accessibility. Here are a few examples of institutions that have open learning options as well as regular online studies:
- Open University UK
- Nottingham Trent University Online
- University of Birmingham Online
- Royal Roads University
- Walden University
- Kettering University
- James Cook University
- RMIT University
Apply to online degrees that work for you!
In online education you, the student, play the leading role, as institutions are making all the efforts to provide you with a comfortable and complete study experience. With open and distance education, you’ll be guided and instructed about how you can improve your learning style, rather than simply read and memorise a text.
If you find this fitting to your way of learning, don’t wait any longer and find an open or distance course that meets your study goals or personal interests.