Online education is one of the fastest growing and most popular alternatives for regular higher education. Here are some of the amazing advantages studying online can bring.

Are you thinking about getting a degree and enrolling at a certain university? Maybe you should consider choosing the online classroom instead. Or are you looking to improve a certain skill and put that on your CV? Online short courses might be the answer for you.

All over the world there are over 6.5 million students currently enrolled in online courses. Today you can study everything online, from a part-time MBA to a full-time bachelor’s degree to a short-course about a specific subject. It’s one of the fastest growing and most popular alternatives for regular higher education.

According to co-founder of the online community #JobAdviceSA, Tim Barry, there is extremely high competition for the best jobs in the current job market and as a job seeker, you need to make yourself stand out. He says that you can achieve this by showing a desire to continue learning even if you have completed your formal education and entered the world of work.

Here are some of the amazing advantages studying online can bring.

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1. Location

Studying online will permit you to study from anywhere in the world. Whether you are at home in your pyjamas or travelling the world, you can still keep up with your classes - as long as you have an internet connection of course.

2. Price

Online education programs often charge way less than traditional schools. You are also saving on commuting or on-campus accommodation costs, and often there are no required course materials you have to invest in.

3. Variety

With the growing popularity of online education, there’s also an increasing variety of courses, programmes and schools you can choose from. You are able to choose any subject from any school you’d like. Next to that, you can also choose a learning and evaluation format that works for you.

4. Flexibility

Next to being able to choose where to study, you are also free to choose when to study. You can combine it with other commitments like family duties or with a job where you are earning while you’re learning. You’re free to set up your own schedule and study at your own pace.

5. Networking

In online classes you will meet students from all over the world that are interested in a career in the same field you are in. You’ll not only make professional connections but could also make friendships with people from a range of different countries and cultures.

6. Access

As long as you have a working broadband connection, everyone has access to online courses. There are far less or even no prerequisites or formal requirements to enroll. On top of that you will have access to the best academic staff and industry experts from around the world.

7. Support

With only one click you can get help or advice from online tutors, including some of the worlds’ top-notch professors and guest lecturers. You will receive great support from the tutors and get individual feedback to help advance your studies.

8. Stand out

Taking online courses will help you stand out from the crowd. You will be able to choose from unique courses that students who follow their university programme don’t have access to. In the process of learning something new, you will also gain skills like self-reliance, self-motivation, time-management and so on.

Tim Barry says, "Taking online courses, even if they are not accredited, shows a potential employer that you have taken the initiative to improve your skillset, and makes you far more attractive as a potential employee."

9. Get ahead

Studying online will help you get ahead of the rest of the bunch when applying. You prove that you’re capable of achieving things on your own. And if you’re working while learning, you will not only a have degree, but also gained valuable work experience within the same time others only just graduated.

10. Career progression

If you’re already employed, studying online will help you further your career. It allows you to constantly add skills to your CV which you can already start applying while you’re still learning. It shows that you are ambitious and prepared for any new challenges and will put your name on the short list for promotion, salary increases and other benefits.

And with the #FeesMustFall movement disrupting the regular examination schedules, it may be time to seriously consider this alternative. Are you convinced? Start your future here.

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