In today’s competitive world, formal education speaks volumes. Proper education from a reputed university can help you snare better job opportunities and demand a bigger salary. But due to time, work and financial constraints, plans of going back to have to take a backseat. Here comes online universities to the rescue.
An online university gives you the convenience and accessibility to earn a degree or acquire training while keeping a full-time job and taking care of family. Online universities offer a customised education programme tailored to individual needs. Online courses are delivered entirely thru the Internet. Instructors give lectures; assign projects or homework, conduct discussion via the information highway. In turn, students simulate traditional class discussions using real-time chats and thread postings. Online instruction encourages active learning. It gives students the opportunity to assimilate knowledge, reflect on what they have learned, and refine their responses to other students and their instructor.

Homework and projects are submitted as e-mail. Other online courses even include streaming audio and video conferencing. This totally erases the misconception that attending an online university isolates a student from interactive and team-building activities. In fact, most online universities see to it that a big percentage of their online activities would include group projects. Nowadays, most online universities offer accredited degree programmes in almost any academic discipline, form healthcare to interior design to business management to education.

Online learning tends to be less expensive over the course duration. A student does not have to spend for board and lodging and transportation. At a practical level, it is quite a bargain for a working adult. He does not have to give up his job and lose at least two years of income. His employer might even cover some of the costs of his education.

The opportunity to be a part of an electronic, global community is invaluable. Nothing quite compares with the unique experience afforded by an online programme – a combination of work, team-based study and socialisation. So, whether you are a busy management consultant aspiring to earn an MBA or a full-time housewife planning to obtain a degree in child education, online universities might be the most viable means of accomplishing your goals given your situation.

Online university is fast becoming the school of choice to obtain a degree as it offers fast, convenient and flexible online degree courses compared to a traditional university. An online education does not require physical presence in a school classroom and has no fixed schedules. This type of distance learning allows a student to access lectures and study materials 24/7. It also allows instructor and student interaction through discussion forums, live chats, instant messaging and e-mail.

In an online university, the traditional classroom is replaced by a virtual classroom – a classroom with out walls. Instead of attending class in person you do so via the virtual classroom.

Typically, class begins at a set time but you do not have to be there. In most situations, you are free to “attend class” when it fits your schedule. You can just log in and participate when it suits you. If an emergency comes up, you can leave the class but will not miss anything. If you get sick, you do not have to borrow notes from your classmates. You can always go back to the lectures as they are archived. If there is a live webcast where the instructor delivers the day’s lecture in real time and live discussion among students, you can go back to these as well. You will be able to communicate with your instructor and classmates via e-mail, chat rooms, message boards and instant messaging.

Classroom activity is basically through text, chat, bulletin boards as well as streaming media (audio and video). You may be grouped into “cybersets” with fellow classmates and work on projects. Contrary to misconceptions, you will actually have interactive contact with your instructor and the other students. Some online universities have even structured their online courses in such a way that students cannot submit an assignment without sharing it with other students on the set.

Your class can even have your own bulletin board which instructors cannot read. You can post personal messages, jokes or even send pictures. This way communication and personal relationships among the students are enhanced.

Instructors are even encouraged to hold weekly real-time office hours, to monitor the class discussions and respond to e-mail within 24 to 48 hours. At times, instructors return checked assignments with an attached audio clip for you to hear his comments. Your instructor will be responsible for your academic progress and personal development during the course. You also have complete access to your school’s online resource centre especially the library.

The virtual classroom is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So, anytime you are free to attend class, you are welcome to do so.

The University of London was established in 1836 by virtue of a Royal Charter. It is one of the oldest universities in the United Kingdom. The University is a federation of separately incorporated, self-governing colleges. The University Of London is unrivalled in setting precedents – in promoting teaching and research in laboratory science, engineering, modern languages and in appointing women professors.

Virtually every course covered in any university curriculum can be studied at the University of London. These courses can be taken at various levels and lead to undergraduate or post-graduate degrees or to diplomas or certificates. Most courses are offered on a full-time basis but there are options to study part-time or by distance learning to earn a degree or certificate.

The University of London is widely recognized locally and internationally as a centre of academic excellence. Alumni of the University have gone on to hold influential positions in government, business and industry all over the world. The University gives a student the option to come to London to study at one of the colleges or if personal circumstances do not permit, study as an external student at the University’s thriving External Programme.

University of London External Programme

The University of London External Programme handles University of London’s distance learning courses. It was established in 1858 to make the University’s degrees accessible to students who for one reason or another cannot attend the University’s traditional campus-based classroom. The External Programme allows students with time and financial constraints to still earn a degree or pursue advanced studies.

An external student receives the same quality of education as a regular university student. If a potential external student satisfies entrance requirements for his chosen course, he can register as an external student.

Typical of an online distance learning education, the external programme is flexible and convenient. An external student can study at his own pace. For the Master’s Programme, an external student has a minimum of two years to finish the course. Students enrolled in the diploma programme may complete their studies in one year.

Tuition fees vary based on the degrees being studied. Generally, external students pay lower tuition fees than regular students.