The Advantages of Online Courses: Flexibility, Lower Cost & More

By Bronagh Loughlin - Last update


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Both recent secondary school graduates and non-traditional learners can benefit from online courses. Online courses offer affordable tuition, flexibility and various academic opportunities. It has been the solution for many during the COVID-19 pandemic looking to continue their learning or adopt new skills to enhance their CV. There are several advantages of this form of learning that we are going to discuss in this article.  

1. Flexibility 

For most learners, the primary benefit is flexibility. When you begin your online course, you will be able to study your course materials on your own time and schedule your work or social activities around the class times. In other words, you can continue caring for your loved ones and working while earning your education. You do not have to make the effort to commute to a collage campus which will reduce the amount of money you are spending also on public transport and on fuel for your car.  

2. Online Courses Often Cost Less Money 

In general, online courses are more affordable than traditional on-campus studying. Traditional college is often more expensive for a number of reasons. For instance, traditional college comes with a certain kind of experience that includes having facilities available to students that cost money and catering for the space. With online courses, there is no real costs for you physically being there. You can find online courses for as cheap as a couple hundred euro by comparison to college courses that are in the thousands. Not to mention, there are lower total costs too as you do not have to commute to the college. 

3. Comfortable Learning Environment 

With the opportunity to study just about anywhere, online students can complete their coursework at home, at a library or in a coffee shop. This advantage of online courses enables students to work in the environment that best suits them. Students can ensure they are studying in an environment that is comfortable and encourages them to be productive. You can find a space in your home that best works for you when it comes to studying your course.  

4. Geographic Flexibility 

Another incredible advantage of online learning that relates to flexibility involves prospective learners’ geographic location. Online courses can literally be studied from anywhere, including from entirely different countries. This can greatly help you save money because if the college you are studying at is in Dublin and you live in London, you will not have to relocate. You will save money by not having to move to a whole other country. Alongside saving money, not having to move means that you do not have to leave your friends or family.  

5. Career Advancement 

Non-traditional students enjoy two main advantages of online courses related to career advancement. Firstly, a degree or certificate can qualify an employee for other positions or a raise. Earning a degree or certain certificate qualification can result in a promotion that may also involve boosted wages. Beyond tangible career benefits, many online courses will enable workers to continue working while they are studying. Learners can work during the day and complete their coursework on the weekends or in the evenings. Not to mention, students who work can apply new skills and knowledge to their job right away. 

6. Improve Your Technical Skills 

Learning online can help learners hone the technical skills they require on the job. New skills can involve the ability to use new software suites, communicate effectively online in various forms such as teleconferencing and discussion boards and perform in-depth research online. Employers often demand these skills as more and more positions require employees to work remotely from home. Learners can also add new skills to a CV and discuss them during job interviews.  


Bronagh Loughlin

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