Should you study for a degree online? Or should you opt for the traditional option of attending seminars and lectures in person? Both studying online and studying online campus can both help you to achieve the same qualifications. But the method of studying is very different, and there could be differences in the cost. Here are the two options to help you choose the best style of studying for you.
Why study online?
Study from anywhere
One of the biggest perks of an online course is that you can study from any location. You have the choice of courses from around the world, without having to relocate anywhere. This gives you the freedom to stay at home. Alternatively, you could travel around the world as you are studying.
Flexible schedule
Online courses often allow you to study flexibility in your own time. Not having to attend lectures and seminars at certain times could allow you to fit studying around commitments like work or looking after kids. Exams may still have to be held at certain times in some cases, and coursework will still likely have deadlines, although there are some courses where even these aspects are quite flexible.
Affordability
Tuition fees for online courses can sometimes be much lower than on-campus courses. If you don’t live near the university, taking an online course also means that you don’t have to move near the university and pay extra for accommodation (although some student housing can be quite cheap if you look in the right places).
Why study on campus?
Structure
Some people are able to focus better on their studies when they have a structure to follow with seminars/lectures at certain times and strict deadlines for coursework. An online course may require too much self-discipline for some people, as it requires making the time to study.
Social aspect
Studying on campus allows you to more easily meet other students. For young people, it can be a chance to make new friends and useful connections, as well as learning to live with other people. When you take an online course, you miss out on all of this. Some universities may have forums and chatrooms for connecting with other online students, however socialization may be restricted to behind a screen.
Campus resources
Studying on campus also gives you access to an array of physical resources such as the university library, computer rooms with printers, laboratories and workshops. You cannot access many of these resources when you study online and may have to invest in books and equipment yourself (although some universities do provide grants for supplies or digitized libraries for online students to access).
Studying online is often a better choice for those who are older with many commitments. It’s more affordable, more flexible and you can study from any location. Studying on campus may be better suited to young people who also want to build life skills and make friends. The structure may make it easier to stay motivated and the on campus resources could be very useful when studying some subjects.
