Online courses have helped open up education to many people - allowing the option to choose from diverse courses around the world, study from any location and pay reduced fees. However, not all online courses are the same, and it’s important to do your research before signing up to an online course. Below are 5 things every budding online student should consider when selecting a course.
Entry requirements
While some courses have much more flexible entry requirements, others are just as strict as traditional courses when it comes to having certain qualifications or a certain amount of credits.Make sure to look into this before applying to a course so that there is a good chance you will be accepted. If you decide to choose a course provided by a foreign college, make sure that you are able to study this course from your country.
Course fees
Online courses can cost $10,000 less than traditional on-campus courses due to not requiring the same level of resources to run. This can make them an affordable option. However, not all online courses are cheap - limited courses, those taught by influential professors and those provided by prestigious universities can all come with high fees. Make sure that the course you want to study is affordable and explore available funding methods (you can still get scholarships and grants for online courses).
Flexibility and time commitment
Most people study an online course for the flexibility they provide. However, the amount of flexibility that courses offer can vary. Some courses like this Master of Education online are incredibly flexible - you can take breaks when you want or even accelerate modules if you want to complete your course faster. Other courses require you to complete modules by certain dates and take exams at certain fixed times. Some may even require you to tune in live to lectures or seminars at fixed times each week. When trying to fit your studies around other commitments like work or kids, it could be vital to make sure that the course does not interfere.
Syllabus and modules
It’s important to compare the content of different courses to see exactly what you will be studying. For example, history degrees can vary greatly in the type of content they offer - with some focusing on modern history and others on more ancient history. Work out exactly what type of content you want to study and find a course with a syllabus that covers this content. Some courses may have customizable modules that allow you to choose between different types of content.
Provider reputation
It is important that the course provider is an accredited person/body. If you’re not studying a college course, make sure that you know exactly what type of credential you will be earning, and whether you will be able to use this to get into your chosen career. It’s also important to look into student reviews and college rankings. You can find reviews and information on rankings online. Steer clear of courses that have lots of recent negative reviews or that are provided by low ranking colleges.
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