Online courses are an exceptional way to broaden your educational horizons and learn new skills. Learning in any form can enrich both your personal and professional life. By investing time in your education, you build your CV and become more attractive to prospective employers.
Online courses make education accessible to all. It provides a convenient way for adults who are busy with work or family commitments to continue to learn.
However, there is often a stigma associated with online learning. With many people asking if it is as effective as learning in traditional settings. Or if the qualifications provided stand up to those awarded in physical institutions.
While, admittedly, there are scam course providers out there, this poor reputation is mostly a result of misinformation. Many simply haven’t had first-hand experience with the courses directly to appreciate what they are really like.
So long as you are studying with an accredited online course provider, the qualifications you gain are exactly the same. Unless you volunteered the information regarding the fact you gained it online, no one would be able to tell the difference.
That being said, not all online courses are recognised. This is because there are many course types that offer different outcomes, depending on what your goal is. We’ll take a look at this in more detail.
The Different Types of Online Courses
While there are many types of online courses, they will fall into one of two categories. They’ll provide you with either a recognised qualification or certificate award, or you’ll receive a certificate of completion.
The online course type, level of study and awarding body, will determine the award you’ll receive once you pass.
Regulated qualifications are those such as GCSEs, A Levels and Access to Higher Education Diplomas. These demonstrate that you have gained a qualification approved by both a UK Regulator and recognised Awarding Organisation.
The courses that offer you a certificate of completion or achievement, do not provide approved qualifications. The difference being you have completed a course – gaining knowledge and insight – but you’re not qualified in the subject.
These courses do not involve extended study periods or a formal – regulated – exam at the end of the course.
This isn’t to say that these courses aren’t of value. The value is determined by what you hope to achieve from studying. Studying to upskill for work or learn a new hobby is of great value if it meets your desired outcome.
How Online Courses and Providers are Regulated
To become accredited, online course providers need to go through an evaluation and accreditation process. Performed by a reputable third-party accrediting agency who will confirm if they have met established education standards.
Ofqual (the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) regulates all awarding organisations no matter how they deliver their learning. This makes sure students are protected and the courses are fair in terms of materials provided, coursework and exams undertaken.
So, an A Level in Economics offered by different providers will deliver the same level of education.
Online courses are also created in collaboration with subject experts. This guarantees the material studied is relevant. For example, universities help to create the Access to Higher Education Diplomas, which ensures students cover the most up to date material.
So, the regulated qualifications received from distance learning providers will be indistinguishable from those offered on campus. These accreditation standards and processes are in place to ensure you receive the same rigorous level of education.
All coursework is equally challenging whether courses are delivered on or offline. With both modalities held to identical educational standards. Your work will also be assessed as it would be in a regular classroom. Through assignment marking and proctored exams, you can be sure your grade is earnt through hard-earned knowledge and skill.
The qualification is the achievement earned, online is simply the mode used to receive the education.
Will My Online Qualification be Viewed Differently?
While the regulated qualifications attained through off and online courses are the same, the stigma around distance learning still exists.
Many online students worry they’ll be viewed differently from – or even, inferior to – those studying the ‘traditional’ way. The reality is, distance learning can positively differentiate you. Helping you to stand out against others competing for the same role or university course placement.
Whether it’s on your personal statement, job application or in an interview, you can promote benefits of the way you learnt. Framing your relevant skills, knowledge, experience and determination to learn, in a way that makes you memorable from the rest.
Plus, if you’re going back into education at a later stage, chances are you have work experience that they don’t.
Online course graduates can demonstrate:
Time management
Your ability to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines and arrive to work on time are all enviable traits. The flexibility offered by distance learning can make it hard for some students to stick to a work schedule. Demonstrate how you effectively managed this.
Organisation
Work and university life often involve working on numerous projects, overseeing long processes, or attending back-to-back meetings on diverse topics. Online students typically have to juggle responsibilities such as parenting, work, studies and a time for loved ones. Talk about how organised your life so you could do all this and manage to achieve your grades.
Confidence
Often the people you are competing with have gone to work or university straight from school. Online students tend to have additional experience that can greatly benefit their application. Working in dynamic environments, with others of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities. This can show that you are confident working with others, navigating the workplace or the university campus you are applying to.
Independence & ambition
The self-motivation and initiative associated with distance learning is an extremely attractive trait. Not to mention the fact you’ve thrown a commitment to learning in into the mix of a busy life. Both qualities are necessary for university level study and the workplace.
Education and study generally provide a host of transferrable skills. Recognising the extended skills developed through distance learning can make your application shine. Putting to bed any negative connotations associated with online courses and showing exactly why you’re the perfect fit for the position.
Stonebridge Associated Colleges is a leading UK distance learning provider who works with several leading Ofqual regulated Awarding Organisations. The certificate award received upon successful completion of a regulated qualification contains both the logo of the Awarding Organisation and relevant UK Regulator. Along with the full qualification title and qualification number.
If you’re interested in taking an online course to achieve a regulated qualification, you can confidently do so with Stonebridge Associated Colleges.
Browse the many regulated course options we have available by clicking the link below.
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