Distance learning is an active and technological method of education. Universities for distance learning happen to provide an alternative academic learning method and distance learning courses for people who are interested in schooling but have challenges with attending a physical school.
Moreover, distance learning is done online with less stress and in conformity, a lot of people now pay attention to getting a degree through these distance learning courses, most especially those who manage businesses, families, and others who wish to get a professional degree.
This article at Scholars Delight will elaborate on the best 10 universities for distance learning in the world.
Distance learning also referred to as e-learning, online learning, or distance education is a form of learning/education that is being done online i.e. no physical appearance is required, and every material for the learning will be accessed online.
In other words, it’s an educational system where the tutor(s), teacher(s), lecturer(s), illustrator(s), and student(s) meet in a virtual classroom or space with the aid of technology.
Advantages of Distance Learning
Below are the advantages of distance learning:
Easy access to the courses
The fact that lessons and information can be accessed at any time it is convenient for the student(s) is one of the advantages of distance learning.
Remote learning
Distance learning can be done remotely, this makes it easy for the students to join from anywhere and in the comfort of their homes
Less expensive/Time-saving
Distance learning is less costly, and time-saving and therefore allows students to mix work, family, and/or studies.
Long-distance education duration is usually shorter than attending a physical school. It gives the students the privilege to graduate quickly ‘cos it takes a shorter time.
Flexibility
Distance learning is flexible, students are given the privileges of choosing a convenient learning time.
Students are privileged to set learning time that suits their time of availability.
Distance learning promotes an individual’s self-discipline. Setting a schedule for course learning can build self-discipline and determination.
In other to perform well and have a good grade, one has to build self-discipline and a determined mindset, so as to be able to attend lessons and take quizzes every day as scheduled. this helps to build self-discipline and determination
Long-distance learning is an alternative means of being educated and acquiring a professional degree in top universities.
However, this has helped overcome the barriers to education.
No geographical limitations
There is no geographical limitation to long-distance learning, technology has made it easy to learn online
List of the Best Universities for Distance Learning in the World
In today’s world, distance learning has been embraced by different universities to extend education to people outside their walls.
There are several universities/institutes in the world today that offer distance learning, below are the top 10 universities for distance learning.
Top 10 Universities for Distance Learning in the World – Updated
1. University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a leading university in England and one of the largest in the UK. It is ranked as one of the top 100 universities in the world and has been given five stars by QS World University Rankings.
The university was founded in 2005 as part of a merger between all three institutions that had previously made up the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST). These were Manchester College of Science and Technology, Victoria University of Manchester and Ardwick University Technical College.
The university offers over 300 undergraduate courses, more than 100 postgraduate courses, plus a wide range of short courses and professional development programmes. In addition to its main campus in Manchester city centre, it also has campuses at Salford Quays, Bolton and Chester.
Students at this university study for degrees at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Undergraduate degrees are offered as Bachelors or Masters degrees depending on subject area while postgraduates can choose between Masters or Doctoral degrees.
There are no tuition fees at this university for students from within the European Union or Switzerland but there will be an annual charge for international students who pay their own fees which is currently £9,500 per year for undergraduates studying full-time.
Why should I study here?
The University of Manchester is reputedly known for its excellence in research and academics. It offers an online distance learning degree program, with a certificate that is recognized for employment.
Distance learning courses at the University of Manchester:
● Engineering and Technology ● Social Science ● Law ● Education, hospitality, and Sport ● Business Management ● Natural and applied science ● Social science ● Humanities ● Medicine and Health ● Art and Design ● Architecture ● computer science ● Journalism.
2. University of Florida
The University of Florida is a top-ranked public research institution that offers a variety of online degree programs, including distance learning.
The University of Florida has more than 150 online undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as certificate programs. The university also offers continuing education classes in more than 70 different subjects through its Learning on Demand program. The University of Florida is ranked among the top 50 best online colleges by U.S. News & World Report.
The University of Florida’s online courses are available in a wide range of disciplines, including business administration, computer science, criminal justice and psychology. Students can complete their bachelor’s degree through the university’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or the College of Engineering with an emphasis in one of six areas: civil engineering; computer engineering; electrical and computer engineering; mechanical engineering; nuclear engineering; or oceanography and marine science.
Students enrolled at The University of Florida can choose from four different types of course options: asynchronous (self-paced), synchronous (live lectures), hybrid (blended) or blended-hybrid (blended). All students who enroll in an online course will receive access to an interactive learning management system called OASIS where they can take notes, submit assignments and participate in discussions with other students.
Why should I study here?
Their distance learning program offers access to over 200 online degree courses and certificates, these distance learning programs are provided for individuals who are seeking an alternative to getting access to education and professional degree programs with an on-campus experience.
Distance Learning degree at The University of Florida is highly recognized and considered the same as those who attend classes.
Distance learning courses at the University of Florida:
● Agricultural Science ● Journalism ● Communications ● Business Administration ● Medicine and Health ● Liberal Arts ● Science and so much more.
3. University College of London
This is the oldest university in London and one of the best. It was founded in 1826 by the Society of Arts and manufactures, which was renamed as University College in 1836. The university welcomes students from all over the world and offers a number of distance learning courses at undergraduate level. Students can opt for a wide range of subjects including management, law, business administration, accounting and finance.
It has received many awards over the years for its excellent teaching standards and research work. The university also has an excellent reputation for providing students with career support services that are designed to help them find employment after graduation.
University College London offers distance learning courses through its Distance Learning Centre (UCL DL). The centre provides support for both full-time and part-time learners who wish to study at home or abroad over the Internet or on campus at UCL’s three campuses in Bloomsbury, Hampstead and Queen Square. Students can study any subject offered by UCL at undergraduate level as well as postgraduate qualifications such as an MSc or MBA degree program.
Why should I study here?
UCL is a constantly top-ranked university and reputedly known for its excellence in academics and research, their renowned reputation attracts students from all over the world. Our staff and students are highly intelligent and varsity talented.
The University of London provides free Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).
Distance learning courses at the University College of London:
● Business management ● Computing and information systems ● Social sciences ● Humanities development ● Education and so on.
4. University of Liverpool
A member of the Russell Group, the University of Liverpool is one of the most respected universities in the UK. It offers a wide range of distance learning programmes including undergraduate degrees, postgraduate qualifications and short courses.
The university has been offering distance learning courses since 1999 and claims to be one of the first universities in the UK to do so. In addition to this, it was ranked as one of the top 10 universities for distance learning by Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2019. The university offers a large number of degree programmes across multiple disciplines including business and management, engineering and technology, law, arts and design and humanities.
Why should I study here?
The University of Liverpool provides students with an affordable and convenient way to learn and achieve their life goals and career aspirations through distance learning.
This university started offering online distance learning programs in 2000, this has made them one of the best Europe distance learning institutions.
Their distance learning programs are designed particularly for online learning where teaching and quizzes can be accessed easily via a platform, this gives you all the resources and support needed to commence and finish off your studies online.
Upon successful completion of your program and graduation, they do invite you to the University of Liverpool’s beautiful campus in northwest England.
Distance learning courses at the University of Liverpool:
● Business Management ● Health care ● Data science and artificial intelligence ● Computer science ● Public health ● Psychology ● Cyber security ● Digital marketing.
5. Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, the United States with two campuses, it was first founded in 1839 in Newbury by the Methodists.
In 1867 it was moved to Boston, the university has over 10,000 faculties and staff, and 35,000 students from 130,000 different countries.
The university has been offering distance learning programs that enable students to pursue their educational and career goals and earn an award-winning degree from Boston University. They extended their impact beyond campus, you connect to world-class faculty, highly motivated students, and supportive staff.
Why should I study here?
Boston University’s availability of outstanding Student and Faculty Support is exceptional. Their academic programs provide special skills in industries, they as well offer a productive and deep commitment approach to distance learning students.
Boston is a distance learning university that offers degree courses in bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, law, and doctorate degrees
Boston distance learning courses include:
● Medicine and Health ● Engineering and Technology ● Law ● Education, hospitality, and Sport ● Business Management ● Natural and applied science ● Social science ● Journalism ● Humanities ● Art and Design ● Architecture ● computer science.
6. Columbia University
Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university in Upper Manhattan, New York City. It was established in 1754 as King’s College by royal charter of George II of Great Britain and renamed Columbia University in 1896. The university is the sixth oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and one of the country’s nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution. It has been ranked by numerous major education publications as among the top ten universities in the world.
Columbia attracts a diverse population of approximately 22,100 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and more than 130 countries around the world. According to Columbia, about 30% of undergraduate students are women, 5% are African-American or Hispanic/Latino, 10% are international students from over 130 countries outside the US, and 57% study engineering or applied science; 38% study social sciences or humanities; 23% study life sciences or physical sciences; 11% study business; and 2% study law.
Why should you study here?
This distance learning university has extended its learning system by offering you degree and non-degree courses including internships both on and off-campus with teaching or research assistants.
Their distance learning programs create a forum for networking with executives and leaders of a vast community with diverse talents from different parts of the world. This gives you strategic and global leadership essentials for your growth.
However, their distance learning Centers also help in preparing graduating students to venture into the labor/job market by conducting recruiting events that will pair you with prospective employers. They also provide helpful resources for searching for a job that will land your career dreams.
Distance Learning courses offered at the Columbia University:
● Applied Mathematics ● Computer science ● Engineering ● Data science ● Operations Research ● Artificial intelligence ● Bioethics ● Applied analytics ● Technology management ● Insurance and wealth management ● Business studies ● Narrative medicine.
7. University of Pretoria
The University of Pretoria is a public research university located in the city of Pretoria, South Africa. It is the oldest university in South Africa and one of the largest universities in the country, having 32,000 students as of 2014.
The University of Pretoria offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses with a total annual enrolment of over 20,000 students. The university has six faculties: Commerce, Engineering and the Built Environment, Humanities and Education Sciences, Law and Health Sciences.
The University has a well-established international reputation for academic research as well as for its professional training programmes. A number of its academic staff have received outstanding recognition for their achievements in research.
Why should I study here?
This is one of the best 10 universities for distance Learning with degrees and certificates internationally recognized.
The University of Pretoria allows Prospective students to register at any time of the year because the online courses run for six months.
Distance learning Courses in Pretoria
● Engineering and Engineering technology ● Law ● Culinary science ● Ecology ● Agriculture and forestry ● Management Education ● Accounting ● Economics.
8. University of Southern Queensland (USQ)
The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) is one of Australia’s largest universities, with over 20,000 students enrolled across its regional campuses in Toowoomba, Ipswich, Darling Downs and Warwick.
USQ provides a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses to distance learners through both online and face-to-face study options.
The university offers online degrees in business, education, nursing and social work as well as postgraduate diploma programs in accounting and finance. Its flexible delivery methods include synchronous online classes with live lectures, asynchronous online classes without live lectures and blended learning programs that combine elements of both synchronous and asynchronous delivery methods.
Why should I study here?
They target at demonstrating leadership and innovation in student experience quality and to be graduates source; graduates who extremely excel in the workplace and are developing in leadership.
At the University of Southern Queensland, you receive the same quality and level of support as an on-campus student. Distance Learning students have the privilege of scheduling their preferred study time.
Distance learning courses in USQ:
● Applied data science ● Climate science ● Agricultural science ● Business ● Commerce ● Creative Arts Education ● Engineering and science ● Health and Community ● Humanities ● Communication and Information Technology ● Law and Justices ● English Language programs and so on.
9. Charles Sturt University
Charles Sturt University is a public university in New South Wales, Australia. It was established in 1989 with the intention of providing tertiary education to the people of the Riverina region.
Charles Sturt University has two major campuses: one in Bathurst and the other in Wagga Wagga. The main campus at Bathurst is home to the majority of faculties and schools, including business, education, health sciences and law. The Wagga Wagga campus specialises in agriculture and veterinary science courses, while it also hosts some of the university’s arts programs.
The university offers postgraduate degrees through its School of Graduate Research as well as undergraduate degrees through its seven faculties: Business; Education; Environmental Science; Law; Medicine; Nursing & Midwifery; Science & Technology.
Why should I study here?
Charles Sturt University gives room to choose from over 200 online courses from short courses to full degree courses.
Lectures and teachings are made available to be accessed at a preferred time.
However, this distance learning university provides free access to the software download, courses, and a digital library to its distance students.
Distance learning course at Charles Sturt University:
● Medicine and Health ● Business management ● Education ● Applied science ● Computer science ● Engineering and so on.
10. Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia. It was established in 1885 as the Georgia School of Technology and became a technological research university with the addition of other units to its name. Today, Georgia Tech is organized into six colleges and contains about 31 research centers and institutes.
The Georgia Institute of Technology has been ranked number one on the list for several years now. The school has been recognized for its strong emphasis on science and technology, as well as its commitment to global citizenship. In addition to being one of the top universities for distance learning, Georgia Tech offers many degree programs that can be completed online, such as computer science, engineering, business administration and nursing.
Georgia Tech offers bachelor’s degrees in over 100 areas of study, master’s degrees in over 130 areas of study, doctoral degrees in over 30 areas of study and professional degrees in more than 20 areas of study.
Why should I study here?
This is a distance learning university, it is among the top-ranked learning institution that offers an online program that has the same course and degree requirements as those students attending classes at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Distance learning courses at the Georgia Institute of Technology:
● Engineering and Technology ● Business Management ● Computer Science ● Medicine and Health ● Education ● Environmental and Earth Sciences ● Natural Sciences ● Mathematics.
FAQs About Universities for Distance Learning
Are long-distance learning degrees considered valid by employees?
The answer to this question is yes.
Long-distance learning degrees are considered valid by employees and can help you advance in your career. If you have a degree from an accredited school, it’s likely that your employer will recognize it as a valuable credential. However, if you hold a non-accredited degree or certificate from an unaccredited institution, there may be some questions about the validity of your education.
The fact that employers accept long-distance learning degrees suggests that they consider them equal in value to on-campus degrees. For example, if you attend a brick-and-mortar university and earn an online degree through its virtual campus program, it’s likely that both employers and other universities will view it as equivalent to a traditional brick-and-mortar degree. Similarly, if you complete an online bachelor’s program at one university and then transfer into another university’s master’s program without attending classes on campus, the second school will probably recognize your credits as having been earned at the first school (assuming they were earned while pursuing a bachelor’s degree).
What are the disadvantages of distance learning
There are several disadvantages to distance learning. One is that online courses may not be as challenging, since there is no one pushing you to do your best.
Another disadvantage is if the student has trouble with his or her computer or doesn’t have access to the internet at home or at work. It can be frustrating when you can’t log in to your coursework because of technical difficulties.
Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of distance learning is that students who take this route often feel isolated and alone. They don’t have classmates who are in the same boat as them, so they don’t get the chance to bond with other students in their class and form lifelong friendships like they would at an on-campus setting where everyone else was also taking classes on campus.
How can I manage my time by studying online?
It’s very good you plan your courses very well. Always check your courses daily, spend time and do assignments, this will keep you on track
What are the technical and soft skill requirements for joining distance learning?
Technically, they are a certain minimum requirement for your software and hardware components of the device you will use for compatibility and other access. Always check your course syllabus to check if there is any requirement Softly, the requirements are not other than learning how to handle your device, set up your learning environment, how to type, and how to access your syllabus.
What device does someone need for distance learning?
Distance learning is a great way to expand your knowledge and take courses that you might not otherwise be able to take. However, if you want to take a distance learning course, you need the proper equipment.
Here are some of the devices needed for distance learning:
Computer With an Internet Connection
Most distance learning courses require that you have access to a computer with an internet connection. Many people use their home computers for this purpose, but many schools also provide computers for distance learners to use in their libraries or computer labs.
Course Materials (Textbooks and Lecture Notes)
Some distance learning courses require that students purchase textbooks and lecture notes while others assign them online. If you do not already own these materials, it would be wise to purchase them before starting the course so that you can begin studying as soon as possible.
Headphones or Earbuds
Since most distance learning courses are taught via audio lectures and audio chats, it is important that students have headphones or earbuds so that they can hear clearly when listening to recorded material. Many schools provide these items for free in order to ensure that all of their students have access to them during class time.
Is distance learning an effective way of learning?
The answer to this question is yes. Distance learning is not just an effective way of learning but it is also a convenient and flexible way of learning.
Distance Learning has been around for decades but it has seen a surge in popularity over the last few years, as more and more people are looking for ways to further their education without having to leave their jobs or relocate. Distance learning has many benefits over traditional classroom learning, including lower costs and greater flexibility. As technology continues to improve and become more advanced, distance learning will only become more popular and effective in the future.
The main benefit of distance learning is that there are no travel costs involved and you can complete your course in your own time. This means that you don’t have to worry about spending money on petrol or public transport as you can study from wherever you want – it could even be from your own home! Distance learning also allows people who may not have enough spare time during the day or evening to fit in a full-time course at college or university, to still be able to study part-time whenever they want!
Is distance learning cheap in Europe?
Generally speaking, distance learning can be cheaper than attending university on campus. However, the cost of distance learning varies greatly depending on which course you’re taking and where it’s located. For example, a one-year master’s degree costs around €30,000 in France but only €6,000 in Italy (although this does not include living costs).
The price of distance learning also depends on what kind of course you’re looking at taking. A bachelor’s degree will generally be cheaper than an MBA or master’s degree because they take less time to complete and are usually shorter in duration than most other types of degree courses. If you’re looking at taking an online or correspondence course then these will almost always be cheaper than studying on campus – although there are still some exceptions to this rule.
