Posted by Universities offering distance learning programs have increased in number as distance learning has grown in popularity in recent years. With the introduction of technology, online learning has become more accessible, allowing students to continue their education while managing jobs and other commitments. In this blog post, we’ll examine remote learning in greater detail, as well as the top 20 institutions offering it globally.
What is Distance Learning?
Distance learning, commonly referred to as online learning or e-learning, is a type of education that enables learners to study remotely without physically attending classes. Students can access the lectures, readings, and assignments from the course online. With features like video conferencing, online forums, and virtual classrooms, distance learning programs have become more widely available.
How Does a Distance Learning Program Work?
Online lectures, homework assignments, and group discussions are typical components of a distance learning program. Students can access course materials and assignments through an online learning management system, which also allows them to interact with teachers and fellow students. Students may also be required to participate in group projects, attend virtual lectures, and take exams online as part of various programs.
Is a Distance Learning University Right for You?
Many advantages come with distance learning programs, such as flexibility, fewer costs, and the capacity to juggle employment and other obligations. Remote education, meanwhile, might not be appropriate for everyone. It may be difficult for students to stay focused and interested if they lack drive and self-discipline. Also, certain courses may demand participation in group projects or virtual lectures, which may not be viable for students with erratic internet access.
List of Top 20 Universities With Distance Learning in the World
Today, more and more universities in the world are beginning to embrace distance learning and the opportunities for learning that this system creates for students all over the world. Some of these schools go as far as building LMS platforms for students to learn and interact with both the faculty and their colleges.
We looked at 20 top universities with distance learning in the world and reviewed their features to show you schools with some of the best features that you will love for distance learning education.
- Boston University
- Symbiosis Center for Distance Learning
- Massey University Distance Learning, New Zealand
- Columbia University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- The University of Pretoria
- The University of Southern Queensland
- Charles Sturt University
- University of Manchester
- University College of London
- Harvard University
- Indira Gandhi National Open University
- University of Florida
- Walden University
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- University of Sheffield
- University of Birmingham
- University of Sydney
- John Hopkins University
- Liberty University.
Overview of Top 20 Universities With Distance Learning in the World
The good news is that many universities even beyond the United States have now queued into this new education format, and it is not stopping anytime soon. If you’re keen on enrolling in universities with distance learning sometime soon, then you wouldn’t want to miss the following assessment.
1. Boston University
At a Glance:
✔️Has 3 of its online programs ranked in Top 10 by U.S. News & Report
✔️ Students from over 76 countries in the world are currently enrolled in BU Online
✔️ Over 10,000 graduates of Boston University earned their degrees online
✔️ Currently, 3,200 students are enrolled in BU’s online university
✔️ Access to an alumni network of 407,000+ upon your graduation
Business, education, and social work are just a few of the disciplines that Boston University provides online. The university’s online courses allow students to communicate with professors and fellow students by offering lectures, homework, and group discussions online. Also, students have access to the university’s academic and library materials online.
2. Symbiosis Center for Distance Learning
At a Glance:
✔️ Offers all its diplomas online, including its MBA program
✔️ Offers a decent opportunity to students who want to get an MBA/PGDBM from an accredited post-secondary institution, without having to travel
❌ MBA courses are only part-time
❌ Its online classes are synchronous; meaning that the courses are not self-paced and you must follow the schedule provided by your tutor upon your admission
One of India’s top distance learning institutes, Symbiosis Center for Virtual Learning offers courses in management, law, and education. The center offers access to academic materials, a virtual library, and online conversations in addition to online lectures, assignments, and discussions.
3. Massey University Distance Learning, New Zealand
At a Glance:
✔️ Best online university in New Zealand
✔️ More than 34,000 students learning with you from all over the world
✔️ Online and local event, welfare, and academic support
❌ You can complete only 25% of the requirements leading to the full award of your degree if you are an international student living outside New Zealand.
The Massey University of Distance Learning is New Zealand’s largest distance-learning university. The school provides a variety of courses in the humanities, business, and sciences. The institution offers access to a virtual library, academic support services, online lectures, assignments, and group discussions.
4. Columbia University
At a Glance:
✔️ Prestigious Ivy League university
✔️ Offers engineering and tech courses that are widely regarded
✔️ Offers a full-time MBA online
❌ Tuition is quite expensive, but it could be worse considering that this is an ivy league school
Columbia University‘s distance learning programs include online courses, certificates, and degrees in a variety of fields, including nursing, business, and social work. The institution offers access to online academic resources, as well as lectures, assignments, and conversations.
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
At a Glance:
✔️ MIT offers free online courses via its MIT OpenCourseWare platform
✔️ Top-tier university
❌ Online degrees are not offered on MITx. They are micro courses in specific study areas
❌ Synchronous learning
A variety of online courses (including free courses), and certificates are available from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in subjects relating to engineering, business, and computer science. The institution offers access to online academic resources, as well as lectures, assignments, and conversations.
6. The University of Pretoria
At a Glance:
✔️ Diverse student body/faculty
✔️ Tuition rate is affordable and fair
✔️ Top-rated university in South Africa
❌ Limited degrees are available online
❌ Classes are not self-paced
❌ Considered to be less technologically advanced than most first-world country’s universities
As a leading university in South Africa, the University of Pretoria provides online courses in subjects like business, law, and education. The institution offers access to virtual academic materials and support services, as well as online lectures, assignments, and conversations.
7. The University of Southern Queensland
At a Glance:
✔️ Offers 130 degrees are available for selection online
✔️ 75% of its enrolled students prefer to study online than take in-person classes
✔️ Lectures held online are recorded to allow asynchronous (self-paced) participation
✔️ Personalized support for online learning
❌ Classes are not pre-recorded; meaning you have to wait for recordings to be made available before you can access them
Offering remote learning courses in subjects including business, education, and engineering, the University of Southern Queensland is a renowned university in Australia. Together with access to online academic resources and support services, the institution offers lectures, assignments, and conversations that may be taken anywhere.
8. Charles Sturt University
At a Glance:
✔️ Over 200 courses available online
✔️ Save up to 85% on postgraduate degrees if you choose to study online
✔️ Offers a huge catalog of courses online, including business, marketing, accounting, nursing, education, agriculture, psychology, science, etc
❌ Students who’ve been there complain of “lazy” lecturers; say they often skip scheduled classes
Another top Australian university on our list, Charles Sturt University offers distance learning courses in subjects like business, education, and nursing. The institution offers access to virtual academic materials and support services, as well as online lectures, assignments, and conversations.
9. University of Manchester
At a Glance:
✔️ Self-paced learning
✔️ Personalized support
✔️ Their online programs engage students in active learning that encourages extrinsically motivated students
✔️ Best in film-making, art, graphic design, and illustration courses
❌ Majority of its courses require a GCSE Math A grade. Anything lower may not be acceptable
The University of Manchester is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. It is currently ranked as the 28th-best university in the world and the best in Manchester (Quacquarelli Simmonds, 2022).
It is a prestigious educational institution that provides online and hybrid distance learning courses in business, education, and medicine. The university provides access to online lectures, tasks, and chats in addition to virtual academic resources and support services.
10. University College of London
At a Glance:
✔️ Prestigious university
✔️ Some of its short courses are free
❌ Expensive
❌ Does not offer a full degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral) online
Among the top universities in the UK, the University College of London offers distance learning in over 170 short courses in subjects including business, medicine, engineering, literature, and more.
Albeit, UCL doesn’t offer a full degree program online. Its online short courses are done in partnership with various online learning providers, like FutureLearn and edX. Some courses are free, while others are paid for as low as £39.
Here are examples of short courses we found:
- A Marathon for the Mind: Why Writing a Novel Can Make You Stronger, Smarter, and Kinder
- Behavior Change Interventions
- Deaf Awareness: Online Training for Nurses
- Crafting Project Narratives
- Critical Thinking and Academic Writing for Teachers
- Anthropology of Social Media: Why We Post
11. Harvard University
At a Glance:
✔️ Oldest American university
✔️ Offers free online courses, most notably in computer science and IT
❌ Certificates are paid for
Harvard University is a prestigious university and the oldest in the United States. Harvard is one of the biggest providers of massive open online courses, with many students all over the world benefiting from their free courses.
But when it comes to degrees, the school offers a range of online short and certificate courses in fields such as law, business, and computer science. The university provides online lectures, assignments, and discussions, as well as access to virtual academic resources and support services.
12. Indira Gandhi National Open University
At a Glance:
✔️ Specialists in providing distance learning education services
✔️ Bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, M.Phil, diploma, PG diploma, PG and Advanced Diploma, Certificate, and non-credit programs are available online
❌ Less education quality compared to top universities
❌ Courses lack practical work
❌ IGNOU doesn’t have regional centers in some areas of the country making it challenging for students
The largest online learning university in India, Indira Gandhi National Open University, provides degrees in management, education, and law. The institution offers access to virtual academic materials and support services, as well as online lectures, assignments, and conversations.
13. University of Florida Online
At a Glance:
✔️ Degree programs in disciplines like anthropology, biology, business administration, criminology, computer science, geography, geology, journalism, nursing, and sport management all available 100% online
✔️ #1 rated best online university in the United States
✔️ Great faculty and education quality
✔️ Affordable tuition fee ($129.18 per credit hour) for Florida residents
❌ Tuition fee becomes quite expensive for non-Florida (international) students at $552.62 per credit hour, which is above the bare minimum to call a school’s tuition “cheap”
❌ Acceptance rate is low (62%)
The University of Florida provides online courses in a variety of subject areas, including business, education, and medicine. The institution offers access to virtual academic materials and support services, as well as online lectures, assignments, and conversations..
14. Walden University
At a Glance:
✔️ More than 80 online degrees
✔️ Good for students who are too busy with traditional schools
✔️ Acceptance rate is high; so it is good for students with a 3.0 GPA (and above) and are unhappy with their ACT or SAT scores
✔️ 88% of Walden University alumni say they are likely to recommend the school to others
❌ It is a for-profit school (which people tend to get wary of)
In the US, Walden University is a well-known online post-secondary university that provides distance learning courses in subjects like social work, psychology, and education. The institution offers access to virtual academic materials and support services, as well as online lectures, assignments, and conversations.
15. Georgia Institute of Technology
At a Glance:
✔️ Provides a great opportunity for fast technical growth
❌ Acceptance rate is lower than the national average
The Georgia Institute of Technology offers a range of online courses, certifications, and degrees in fields like engineering, business, and computer science. The university provides access to online lectures, tasks, and chats in addition to virtual academic resources and support services.
16. University of Sheffield
At a Glance:
✔️ Sheffield University offers short courses via FutureLearn
✔️ The school has a feature podcast where it provides students access to relevant information and learning resources
❌ Only postgraduate degrees in education, health, music, and mathematics (among others) are available via distance learning
The prestigious University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom offers distance learning programs in a wide range of subjects, including science and business. In addition to virtual academic resources and support services, the university offers online lectures, tasks, and chats.
17. University of Birmingham
At a Glance:
✔️ The University of Birmingham is the 91st top university in the world
✔️ Its online programs are presently being taken by students from 50% of the world’s countries
✔️ Online MBA
❌ High tuition costs
One of the best universities in the UK, the University of Birmingham, offers distance learning courses in a range of topics, including business, education, and law. The institution offers virtual academic materials, support services, and access to online lectures, assignments, and conversations.
18. University of Sydney
At a Glance:
✔️ A prestigious Australian university with 100% online instruction
❌ Only postgraduate degrees are available online
The University of Sydney, one of Australia’s “most complete” universities, is a recognized center for learning. The university provides a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in many different disciplines, including business, engineering, law, medicine, and science, as well as the arts and social sciences.
It gives students a variety of chances for cultural and recreational activities thanks to its international student body and campus in the vibrant city of Sydney. The university is renowned for its research, which has led to some notable advancements in a variety of sectors.
19. John Hopkins University
At a Glance:
✔️ Premier university
✔️ Recognized as one of the best distance-learning universities in the world
✔️ Some courses are available for free online via its partnership with Coursera
❌ Only a select few degrees are available online
Several online courses, certificates, and degrees are available from John Hopkins University in subjects like business, education, and healthcare. The institution offers access to online academic resources and support services as well as lectures, assignments, and debates that can be taken online.
20. Liberty University
At a Glance:
✔️ 100% online university
✔️ Over 350 online degrees at every level of study. There’s probably something for you
✔️ Globally recognized certificates
➖ Liberty University is an evangelical Christian university, which means it promotes a particular religious worldview and may not be suitable for those who do not share its beliefs
➖ Moderately selective school
❌ Students often criticize the quality of online courses, citing that they are not as engaging as traditional programs
Liberty University is a private, Christian university that offers distance learning education for students all over the world. The school’s campus is physically located in Lynchburg, Virginia, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Presently, the school has over 100,000 students enrolled both in its on-campus and online programs. The university is also praised for the priority support it provides to its distance learners, and offers both graduate and undergraduate degree programs in business, education, nursing, and religion, among others.
FAQs About Universities With Distance Learning
Here are some frequently asked questions about universities with distance learning programs:
1. How can I apply for a program of distance learning?
Most institutions ask applicants to submit an online application and provide supporting documents, such as transcripts and test scores.
2. How much does a distance learning course cost?
Depending on the institution and program type, different distance learning programs have different costs. Nonetheless, programs offered through distance learning are frequently less expensive than those offered through conventional on-campus institutions.
3. How long does it take to finish a distance learning program?
Depending on the school and program style, a remote learning program can be any length. The majority of programs, however, take one to four years to finish.
4. I’m in a distance learning program; how can I get the course materials and homework?
In most universities, students have access to an online learning management system where they can access course materials, homework, and discussions.
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Wrapping It Up
In conclusion, distance learning has grown in popularity, and the number of universities offering distance learning courses has increased. Programs for distance learning include several advantages, including flexibility, lower prices, and the capacity to juggle employment and other obligations. Yet, remote learning may not be suited for everyone.
To assist you in making an informed decision about pursuing a distance learning degree, we have compiled a list of the top 20 universities with distance learning programs. Hopefully, this article will help lead you to the best decision for your educational journey. Good luck!