For decades now, students from across the world have chosen to earn their higher education degree via online learning programmes, and this trend shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. Online study is an attractive alternative to earning a degree on campus for many reasons that you probably already highlight in your own marketing campaigns: flexibility, convenience, and affordability are just a few commonly cited reasons students choose to earn their degrees online.
In the UK, distance learning and blended learning are popular routes for earning a university degree—and this isn’t just true for UK-based students. While overall international student enrolment rates for UK universities dropped in 2017-2018, these numbers are expected to be a temporary dip in a trend towards higher numbers of enrolled international students over the next decade. Of the thousands of online programmes offered by universities on nearly every continent, why are students choosing online programmes in the UK over those available in other English-speaking nations?
A reputation that students can trust
It probably comes as no surprise that UK universities are popular choices for international students. Universities based in the UK are renowned for their world-class teaching and high standards of academic rigor. Indeed, many of the world’s oldest and most respected universities are located in the UK.
A degree from a UK-based university, whether earned online or on-campus, is recognised by employers as an academic accomplishment to be proud of. With British universities taking first and second place in 2019's Time Higher Education World Rankings, the UK boasts a strong reputation for innovative research, high-quality academic instructors, and a multicultural university environment. Applicants who can show potential employers that they’ve learned under the world’s top educational leaders will have a strong advantage over other candidates.
Friendly to international learners
One aspect of UK universities that internationals students are continually attracted to is the nation’s welcoming attitude towards applicants from foreign countries. Institutions based in the UK are listed repeatedly on global rankings of the most international universities, and often achieve higher recognition for their international student bodies than US universities, for example.
For students who intend to pursue an international career or who want to work in the UK after earning their degree, studying online with a UK university can be a networking hotspot to boost their career. These online courses often incorporate interactive elements to connect students. Whether through online student forums or webinars, students from across the globe have better chances of conversing than if they were scattered through different lecture halls across campus.
English opens the door to international careers
Anyone who aspires to work in an international setting, foreign country, the sciences, technology, or academia will need to prove English proficiency. Whether working remotely or in a bustling multi-lingual office, English is key for landing a career that works across nations. Earning a higher education degree that is instructed in English will strengthen and solidify a non-native speaker’s understanding of the language. The mere fact that a student studied their degree completely in English is proof enough that they have a deep understanding of the language, or may even be fluent.
There are several differences—some subtle, some glaring—between US, UK, and Australian English. US English became popular through Hollywood’s movies and American music, but it is British English that is most widely taught to non-native speakers. This familiarity with the British grammar structure and dialect in the classroom makes for a smoother transition to university-level learning.
All about the value
Often when considering on-campus degrees, international students are often drawn to the UK rather than programmes in the US for affordability purposes. Even for American students, studying in the UK can be more affordable than earning a degree in a neighbouring US state. Though online degrees in all parts of the world typically offer some form of flexible study and payment plans, UK-based universities can offer competitive rates and scholarships for international students.
The cost and overall value of UK degree programmes are attractive to international students in part because of the UK’s higher education structure. An undergraduate degree in England typically takes three years to complete, while most US universities require four years of study to earn a bachelor’s degree.
UK universities also offer a wide variety of courses, both online and on physical campuses, that may not be available in a student’s home country. In the UK, universities also often offer more focused courses than are offered at US universities, which allows students to gain more specialised knowledge at a more affordable price, and in less time. There is no need to complete courses unrelated to your academic goals when studying online with a UK institution.
What’s on the horizon for online learning?
The US undoubtedly has an advantage in the online learning market due to its sheer size and exhaustive list of universities offering online degree programmes. However, UK universities continuously prove that they are not only competitive, but are also in many cases a better option for international students.
As for the nature of online learning itself, video and interactive educational components continue to lead in effective digital learning. The online learning market is projected to grow at a rate of 9% between 2019-2023 as digital literacy and demand for online education rise. A leaning towards attracting international students opens universities up to a wider market, and potential to find better quality of students.
Microlearning, or using “bite-sized learning modules” in online instruction, will become even more popular as personalisation and certification programmes emerge alongside current online programmes. These programmes are also placing more and more emphasis on ensuring students develop transferable career skills and are highly employable after completing their programme.
