19-year-old Jamie Henderson hasn’t had what you'd call a typical student
experience. Despite reading for a degree in Law, Jamie decided to buck the
usual university
route and instead opted to study from home.
Spurred on by the worry of increased tuition fees, he is now one of a few, yet
increasing number of students who have chosen distance learning over study
at university.
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“I was really put off doing a degree by how much money I would end up owing,”
he says. “I didn’t want to come out of university with all that debt.”
Having made this decision, Jamie was able to look into alternatives – which in
the end turned out to be a degree validated by Anglia
Ruskin University, through distance learning provider RDI.
“It was a massive weight off my mind and it was a perfect option for me,”
Jamie says. “It has allowed me to stay at home around my friends and my
family and still work part-time.”
The ability to work part-time is something which appeals to many students who
choose distance learning courses. With employers placing huge importance on
work experience, the ability to have the time to go out and gain this
experience – through independent organisation of your own study – can have a
positive effect on career prospects.
Jamie has been able to take on two part-time jobs – alongside his studies –
but has also been free to undertake work experience for a law firm, which
has led to a job offer before he has even completed his course.
He said: “The fact that I’m studying towards a law degree at home means that I
have the time and the resources to make myself more employable while
remaining financially independent.”
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For those who are already in employment, a distance learning course can mean
the ability to study and progress in a career without forfeiting their
current roles.
Jonathan Smith, who is studying for a BA (Hons) in Business, chose to study
via a distance learning course in order to remain in his job.
“I left college in 2010 with A-levels in History, Politics and Economics but
going to university wasn’t even a consideration for me” he explains. “My
friends were at home, I didn’t want to be burdened with debt and I wanted to
get straight into a career.”
James completed a Business and Administration Apprenticeship with Oxfordshire
County Council. While working as a medical administrator, he studied for a
Level 4 Diploma and after 12 months had valuable workplace experience.
“I’d done so well at work that they kept me on. But after six months getting
settled into my new role, I was financially stable and ready to progress my
career with a degree. I didn’t want to give up what I’d achieved to go to
university, so distance learning was an appealing choice.”
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It’s no surprise that the cost of doing a degree can be reduced by distance
learning, but what many potential candidates do not realise is that
part-time and full-time distance learning students are still eligible for a
tuition fee loan to cover the full or part of the cost of their course.
Courses can also be taken on a flexible basis, which can appeal to students
who have pressing commitments outside of further education.
Dr Philip Hallam, CEO of distance and online learning providers RDI says:
“It’s very flexible. We operate 52 weeks of the year. Most students will
take between 3 and 5 years to complete a degree and between 18 months and
2.5 years for an MBA.
“Generally our students are part-time mature students – aged over 21 – but we
have actually seen a reduction in the age of those considering online
learning. Younger students, particularly those who are cost conscious, are
considering distance learning as a viable option.”
Obviously, one of the downsides to a distance learning course is that students
miss out on the experience of attending university, which means missing out
on traditional lectures.
“Reading feedback and instructions from a screen isn’t quite the same as
talking to someone face-to-face," Jamie says. "It’s also a lot of
work to do on your own.
“I don’t have a close circle of friends going through the same thing, so I
can’t really ask my peers for help and advice. However, I’ve found the
online student forums helpful and the firm I’ve been working for have
offered advice and guidance when I’ve needed it.”
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“Once candidates have joined a course, they are enrolled on RDI’s virtual
learning environment, iLearn,” says Dr Hallam. “Everything is online; all
the tutor support, the assessment – unless it’s an examination, which is
done locally – access to online library facilities, we even offer students
career advice online.”
However, potential candidates also need to seriously consider the social side
of student life. Starting university cannot only be a way to meet a wide
variety of new people, but can also give you the opportunity to experience a
new city and live independently before beginning a career.
“I haven’t met as many new people as I would have, had I moved out,” says
Jamie. “But I have met new people through work instead. It’s just a
different type of experience, which is just as rewarding and ultimately, in
my opinion, makes me more employable.”
For anyone considering a distance learning course, there are several other
factors to be considered; perhaps most importantly, motivation.
“Distance learning isn’t an easy option,” says Dr Hallam. “It’s going to be a
substantial commitment, not only financially but also on your time. We need
to make sure that people have really thought it through and understand why
they want a degree. You will need to dig deep occasionally.”
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Distance learning providers such as the Open
University and RDI provide a wide range of higher education
qualifications such as degrees, diplomas and MBAs.
With his degree, Jonathan Smith hopes to specialise in business leadership and
continue building his career with Oxfordshire County Council. He’s confident
in the choices he’s made regarding education, but believes more could be
done to make young people aware of the choices they have.
“When I got my A-levels, I was shocked at how little advice was available on
options other than university. Everyone is different and education should
reflect that. I’m glad I took the route I did and I think it is important
that more people have the opportunity to study in a way that suits them.”
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Life section.