Distance & Online
By
Year13
What is online and distance education?
It’s a flexible way to study a course through a university or other higher education institution without having to attend regular classes on campus. It’s a great way to get an education, especially if you want to keep working full-time, you can’t regularly get to a campus, or even if you don’t want study to affect your social life.
How does online education work?
Just like if you studied on campus, you’ll have access to the resources you need, and lots of course materials will be available to you. There are still deadlines for your work but most of the time you can complete subjects in stages that are more flexible for you.
Will online education suit me?
Do you march to the beat of your own drum? Would you prefer to study in the comfort of your own home (or wherever you can access the internet)?
Do you prefer to do things in your own way, on your own schedule?
If you answered yes to these questions then online education may very well suit you. It requires plenty of self-motivation and discipline, and you’ll need a good internet connection – but it’s perfect if you want to change your life without changing your lifestyle.
What can I study online or at a distance?
Not all universities, TAFEs and colleges offer online or distance education courses, but there are still many to choose from, depending on what you want to do. Open Universities Australia (OUA) for example offers over 1700 units and 180 courses in a range of areas including:
– Arts and humanities
– Business
– Education
– Health
– IT
– Law and Justice
– Science
Are all courses offered completely online?
Always check if the course is fully online or whether it requires some on-campus commitments. Don’t forget, if you’re doing a course that has practical elements to it then chances are you’ll have to make a trip at some point.
What qualification will I get?
At the end of your course you’ll get the same qualification as an on-campus student, awarded by the institution you studied with. (You’ll study through OUA, and we’ll provide all sorts of support to make your life as a student easier, but we’re not a university.)
How will online and distance education help my career?
Like any other mode, online study provides you with options, and leads to qualifications, that you can build a career on. It’s also a chance to improve your existing skills and can even be a pathway towards a complete change of career.
But for school leavers there’s an added benefit. If you can secure an entry level position and study at the same time, you become more attractive to employers down the track than people who only have a degree behind them. You can walk into an interview for your dream job with the right qualification and the right experience.
It’s the best way to advance your career prospects, make you stand out from the crowd and keep your social life going just the way you like it.
What if I don’t want to commit to a full course just yet?
OUA is unique because you can sign up to one unit at a time – there’s no need to commit to an entire degree or qualification up-front. That means you can dip your toe in the water, get a feel for tertiary study and be safe in the knowledge that you have up to 10 years to complete a full qualification.
