When considering your options for the next step of your educational journey, you may find yourself wondering if learning online is right for you. Unlike years ago, when studying online was complicated and more suited to those who were IT savvy, modern day studying is far simpler for students. In fact, you can even study from your mobile on the way to work if you want! The key is finding the right course and course structure to suit your learning style and needs.
The process of distance learning has been tried and tested for many years now and this has enabled online colleges and learning providers to find the best combination of learning techniques to ensure that students really achieve the best of their ability. Most online courses will be delivered through a learning portal where the student can access all the course materials they need to learn and study to complete the course. The materials will be a combination of reading, interactive elements and also (in some cases) videos. Along with all the materials, the students are able to contact their tutor and ask for help or submit work through the same portal.
What kind of Courses can you study with Learning Online?
Believe it or not, you can study almost any kind of course online, from Functional Skills at Level 2 all the way through to Phds if you wanted to. Obviously, there are going to be some courses that you just can’t learn online properly, like plumbing or bricklaying, it just wouldn’t be possible to fully understand the techniques required or how to carry them out with an online tutorial. Students would need to physically witness and copy a tutor to perfect these methods. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do other types of courses and subjects such as below:
- GCSEs – it’s possible to study all subjects online as no practicals are required for them.
- A-Levels – even though some courses have coursework or practical elements, there are exam centres set up and equipped to enable distance learning students to carry these out.
- Diplomas – as these courses are all coursework based, you can study them entirely online and with the lower level courses, it’s even possible to cover courses such as Dog Grooming and Veterinary Nursing.
- Short Courses for CPD – as these courses are to top up your knowledge and update your skillset, it’s possible to study these entirely online also.
GCSEs Online
Just like traditional GCSEs, online GCSEs are a great way for Private Candidates to gain missing qualifications to get them where they need to be. There is no difference between a traditional GCSE or an online GCSE. Students sit the same examinations, whether they are learning with Pearson Edexcel or Cambridge International.
More often than not, online GCSEs are International GCSEs, this doesn’t mean they aren’t valid in the UK or can’t be sat for in the UK. It just means that the courses themselves comes with no additional coursework like science practicals.
For more information on GCSEs, have a read of our Frequently Asked Questions section for GCSEs.
Studying A Levels Online
When it comes to A Levels online, they are just like traditional A Levels. But instead of studying them in school or college, you do them online. They are also far more flexible in nature. So for example, you can work full time and study as and when you want.
There are many subjects available as online A Levels including the following:
- Accounting
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Economics
- English
- History
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology
- Philosophy
- Sociology
- Classical Civilsation
It’s important to keep in mind that A Level examination periods are all held at the same time of year. So if looking to study them, keep in mind May/June. For more information on online A Levels, read our Frequently Asked Questions section.
Professional Qualifications
Professional qualifications include a wide range of courses. They are usually Diplomas that are coursework based. And delivered through awarding bodies such as NCFE Cache, Edexcel BTECs or TQUK.
Opting to study professional qualifications online gives students the option to fast track their learning. So instead of having to take a year or more to gain important qualifications, students can gain them in months.
Most common professional qualifications done online are in Healthcare, Teaching and Management.