More than 1,000 students have signed up with OnLine Education's electronic campus since its inception four years ago and 300 are signing up every month, according to the education programme's provider.
The 'electronic campus' idea allows students to study without having to fit in with demanding classroom schedules. Cutting out the time spent travelling to and from campus enables the business person doing a part-time degree to maximise their time by working on assignments from home, the office or even on business trips.
Founded by a group of specialists in education technology and management, OnLine Education has linked up with the University of Paisley in Scotland so students can follow MBA degrees in real estate, marketing, total quality management and health care.
'The university offers the only MBA courses recognised by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and offers postgraduate courses in various technical and business-related subjects,' Nikki Davies, sales and marketing manager of OnLine Education, said.
'The universities we deal with are not number one in the market place, but they go out of their way to make their courses relevant and current. They are constantly finding ways to up-date their courses, as they are used to change and have close links to industry,' Ms Davies said.
An educational planning consultant helps students choose a course which meets their needs. The cost of the course includes the software and back-up support. Course materials are supplied electronically.
'Each course module has its own local tutor who is a specialist in the field and students can easily discuss issues and pass materials to their tutor through the Internet,' Ms Davies said.