Distance learning

Learning that goes the distance The development of virtual classrooms and “branch” campuses means that studying for an international degree has never been easier. By Tim […]

Learning that goes the distance

The development of virtual classrooms and “branch” campuses means that studying for an international degree has never been easier. By Tim Rogers

There was a time when studying at the graduate level internationally meant leaving home, your family and friends, as well as perhaps your work and other commitments for an extended period of time. But in the last five years or so, the delivery of Masters and, to a lesser extent PhD programs, has seen an enormous change, not only in the use of technologies and learning methodologies but also in the very location that international degrees are delivered from. Put simply, the changes impacting on the delivery of international education programs have fundamentally altered the way in which students have the potential to access degrees taught and awarded by universities thousands of miles away with little impact on their day-to-day lives.

Traditional distance learning

Some of the largest providers of distance learning graduate education have been established for more than 150 years. The University of London External System, founded in 1858, has permitted students to study in their home country while pursuing Masters programs of the same quality controlled standard as would be achieved if studying full-time at institutions like University College London, King’s College or the London School of Economics. The External System model in its current form supports both independent study, with students working on their own through material designed and supplied by the responsible college within the University of London, and off-shore delivery, through arrangements with local partner institutions to provide either part-time or full-time support through regular lectures and tutorials. Both of these broad modes are further supported from London through an online learning environment providing discussion forums, administrative support, online seminars, audio and visual resources and other interactive activities.

Perhaps one of the key dilemmas surrounding distance learning education and the changing delivery modes available to international graduate students is that it is very difficult to tell the difference between a good and poor quality program. Many highly reputable universities deliver Masters programs of questionable value using online or other distance learning methods not because the content lacks the academic rigour of a graduate degree, but because the program has not been specifically designed for distance delivery. Crucial in locating a distance program of the appropriate quality is a recognition that teaching methodologies and technologies have a significant impact on how well a program is received. For example, converting a one-year full-time international Masters program to a two-year part-time degree delivered through online technologies does not guarantee either the same study or learning experience. Students opting to stay at home and study an international qualification require an entirely different set of learning support technologies from those students able to meet a teacher face-to-face or compare notes with other students on a daily basis.

Overseas grad schools come to you

An increasing number of grad schools have adopted an entirely different approach to delivering their Masters and PhD programs to international students. Rather than adapting their curriculum to different modes of delivery, universities are delivering their graduate programs locally, either by setting up a new, what might be termed a “branch” or “offshore” campus or in partnership with a locally established education provider, such as a university or training centre.
The advantages of attending a local campus while pursuing an international program are significant, not least in the overall study experience throughout the qualification. While distance or flexibly delivered learning allows students to study at their own pace, they very often miss the benefits of contact with fellow students, teachers and other academic members of staff. A local campus gets around this problem by continuing to offer a genuine learning experience, with significant elements of interaction, while still offering the benefits of an international curriculum and internationally regarded teaching and research.

The online revolution

Perhaps the greatest advances in distance learning graduate education have been made by universities that have sought partnership opportunities with commercial organizations, whose expertise is in a specific field, such as online environments that support distance and shared learning. An example of this kind of partnership is the UK’s University of Liverpool, who began an online education collaboration with the US education and technology company, Laureate Online Education in 1999 that has developed into a suite of nine Masters programs, solely delivered online through Laureate’s dedicated virtual classroom environment. Academic quality is assured through both the University of Liverpool’s and the UK government’s quality assurance mechanisms and dedicated student support managers and technical support ensure that the actual experience of an online learning environment is as successful as possible.

While the Liverpool/Laureate venture has proved to be a success with international Masters students unwilling to leave their country to study full-time overseas, the example of the University of Phoenix offers another route along which thousands of students are willing to travel to achieve their graduate study ambitions. Founded in 1976, the University of Phoenix’s online campus is among the oldest in the education industry based on the same US-accredited curriculum used for nearly 30 years on campuses throughout North America. Taught by staff from a variety of professional backgrounds, Phoenix’s Masters programs can be completed flexibly and often significantly quicker than the standard US two-year Masters model allows. They are currently amongst the most popular programs in the world, with over 250,000 students enrolled, 130,000 of whom are studying fully online. With programs covering a diverse range of academic areas, from nursing and teaching to management and technology, Phoenix’s flexibly delivered courses provide a range of study options for those students wishing to remain in their current location.

While the full-time approach of leaving home to study internationally may well offer the best option for many graduate students, it is not always the most practical. With tuition fees and living costs representing a significant investment for many, studying flexibly while remaining at home opens new options for students seeking a graduate degree. Due to the variety of study methods and modes available, from a similarly wide range of well known and some lesser known universities and grad schools, there will be a Masters and PhD program matching your exact needs. With such widespread changes in technology and teaching methodologies, international graduate study no longer demands that you need to be away from home.

If you are still unsure about your desired mode of study, visit the QS World Grad School Tour, the world’s most prestigious Masters and PhD fair. The event will be held at the Intercontinental hotel in Bucharest on Monday 12 October 2009. International schools and universities like George Washington University, Manchester Business School, Instituto de Empresa, EMLYON, Pepperdine University and many others alike will be there to answer your questions. Register free at www.topgradschool.com.

Notes

The QS World Grad School Tour, the most prestigious Masters and PhD Fair, will visit Bucharest on Saturday 20 march 2010. To get your free invitation visit www.topgradschool.com

About QS

QS provides full-spectrum guidance for higher education and career opportunities, supporting motivated individuals around the world to progress towards their future goals. Through our exclusive events, publications, research and interactive web tools, we link undergraduate, graduate, MBA and executive communities around the world with recruiters and education providers. Our communities include: topuniversities.com, topmba.com, topgradschool.com and global-workplace.com. The highly diverse QS team consists of over 140 individuals from five continents. Our team includes internationally recognized experts in the higher and business education arena. QS operates globally from offices in London, Paris, Stuttgart, Singapore, Shanghai, Sydney, Boston, Washington DC, and Johannesburg.

About the QS World Grad School Tour

The QS World Grad School Tour offers a unique opportunity for potential graduate candidates to meet admissions officers of the world’s top universities face-to-face at venues around the world. Now in its tenth year, the Tour will be visiting 61 cities in 37 different countries in 2010.