The rising cost of going to university is becoming a deterrent for some prospective students. The debt incurred from borrowing to pay course fees, accommodation, food, travel text books and equipment takes years to pay back and can seem like a hefty fine for obtaining a qualification.
For others who can afford to go to university without worrying about money there are other deterrents. You may already have a good job that you can't afford or don't want to give up or you may not like the idea of being a mature student if you're older than the average uni student. You may have children whom you have to look after full or part time and feel that taking a degree would take up too much of your time.
Traditional degree routes are not always the best option for everyone who wants to enter higher education. UK universities such as the University of Essex have started to partner up with online universities to offer more flexible university courses for those people who do not feel that a traditional university environment would meet their needs. Check out quality sites like kaplanopenlearning.org.uk.
Online degree courses shouldn't be overlooked as not 'the real thing'. Accredited online universities issue BA Hons and MA qualifications that are the same as 'normal' or campus acquired counterparts. The progression of technology has allowed students taking online degrees in a home learning environment to experience truly interactive lectures and debates. Online degrees are much more than just reading notes off the internet. You can participate in class discussions; watch and listen to recorded or live lectures and share ideas and feedback with lecturers and other students. Classes are often small and you may only be on a course with a maximum of 25 people as oppose to hundreds of other students all sharing a lecture theatre.
The costs of taking online degrees are also much smaller and coupled with being able to live at home and retain a job equal's huge savings on the amount that would be spent living away from home or on transport to and from lectures. You can still participate in an interactive classroom environment from the comfort of your own home and still enjoy all of the learning benefits of going to a traditional university.
Online courses offer the flexibility that offline courses simply can not and with the increasing amount of applicants for these courses a trend may be set for the future. Just as newspapers and radio are moving online the progression of education to an online platform is simply an inevitable step, not a second best. Do not stay satisfied if you know you can progress your career and salary with the experience and knowledge further education can offer.
Sarah Maple writes about UK Universities and is studying towards an online degree
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