Busy professionals, looking to upgrade their qualifications by taking university-level courses, can find it tough to make time for even a part-time course. For them, the option of distance learning can be very attractive, as it offers flexible study schedules and the chance to gain a degree from an overseas university.
A degree from an overseas university brings many benefits, not least the international perspective that students gain from taking the course.
Students usually need to study overseas to gain such a degree.
'For the programmes we offer, the degree certificates awarded to graduates do not mention that they study in Hong Kong or that they study by distance learning - they are identical to the certificates received by on-campus students,' said Linda de-Lay, regional director for Asia-Pacific at RDI Management Learning, the world's largest independent provider of British university distance learning qualifications.
Students also have the advantage of applying what they have learned directly to their work. 'Employers are able to see the positive impact and gradual changes in the students,' she said. 'The distance learning mode is also much more economical because students do not have to worry about extra costs for housing and flights.'
Most individuals studying in the undergraduate and more advanced degree programmes via distance learning tended to be professionals who had very clear ideas of what they wanted out of life, de-Lay explained. As such, they tend to be very committed.