Best Programs to Study Online in Australia

Studying online is an excellent option for both Australians and international students looking to study from an Australian university. Many of Australia’s top universities offer programs and degrees fully online. If you are looking to take courses with certificates or without, there are plenty of options available online for both Australians and international students. Read on for the best programs to study online in Australia.

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Why Study Online?

Studying online has so many benefits, and is an excellent choice for learners of all types. The best part of studying online is the flexibility it affords. You can study from any place, and at any time. A student from China can study at an Australian university online from their home in China, and get the same degree as an Australian would if they were to study in person. There is also great flexibility with time. Recorded online lectures mean flexibility in study hours, so students can put their work schedule first when planning their studies.

Studying online also saves you time. First of all, without the hassle of commuting to classes, you are able to spend your valuable extra time working on assignments, working at your job, with family, or pursuing other interests.

You are the maker of your own destiny. Studying online usually means flexibility in your program timeline. You get to decide how many classes to take per term, and how long you want to spend completing the degree. Some online students opt to work full time, taking a bit longer to finish a degree. While other students may choose to study intensively, completing their degree in less time and entering the workforce quickly after graduation.

Finally, in a technologically driven world, studying online will introduce you to many of the new technologies used today for sharing documents, writing, online calling and more. You will leave your program with a strong handle on online communication and the latest ways to connect with people online.

Distance Learning: What is it and How Does it Work?

Distance learning can be offered by a variety of institutions in Australia. There are Australian universities that offer their programs online to both local and international students, as well as universities around the world that are online-only schools. This means that these schools do not have a physical location at all.

Whichever school you end up choosing, the program will likely be offered in the form of online videos (whether live or recorded), online reading assignments or suggested print readings, assignments submitted online and lots of email communication between you and your professors, teaching assistants and classmates.

Most online programs also have an internal forum or discussion board where you can speak with classmates in your classes. Your exams will either be administered online, be project based, or you may be required to test at a local approved testing center.

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Study in Australian Online Universities

Many traditional Australian universities have course offerings online, as well as full degree programs offered online. Common online offerings include subjects such as business, technology, education and computer science. Typically, courses that are unavailable online are in subjects such as physical sciences, fine arts, or any class with a lab component.

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Here are five of the best universities in Australia that offer online programs:

1. University of South Australia

University of South Australia has over 70 fully online degree and certificate programs in a wide range of topics. UniSA has over 25 years of offering online degree programs and boasts to be one of the best online universities in the world. Some of the degree programs offered are only made available to Australian citizens, so be sure to check your eligibility before applying to a program.

Online Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s Degree, Graduate Degree, MBA, Graduate Certificate

Subjects Available: Business, Communications and Media, Construction, Financial Planning, Health, IT, Criminal Justice and Social Services, Arts and Social Science, Engineering, Education and Teaching, Nursing and Midwifery

Tuition: $AUD 6,566 – 10,958

2. University of New England

The University of New England in Australia offers 100s of undergraduate, graduate, post graduate and certificate programs online. This university is ranked as the best online university in Australia. International students as well as domestic students are welcome to apply for and complete the full degree programs online. The University of New England also offers a new type of graduate certificate called the Bespoke Graduate Certificate, where students can piece together their own certificate program with full access to all online courses.

Online Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s Degrees, Bachelor’s Degrees with Honors, Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Master’s Degrees, Doctorate Degrees

Subjects: Arts, Legal Studies, Sciences, Accounting, Agriculture, Animal Science, Business, Medicine, Social Sciences, Music, Nursing, Social Work

Tuition: $AUD 9,556 – 31,500

3. University of Canberra

The University of Canberra is partnered with Ducere Global Business School to offer online degrees in business for part-time and full-time studies. This school chooses to use real-life solutions and experiences rather than exams and students work online in teams to deliver projects for credit.

Online Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree (MBA)

Subjects: Business

Tuition: $AUD 26,800 – 31,500

4. Swinburne University Online

Swinburne University offers many degree and certificate programs online for both domestic and international students. Online support including tutors is offered to all students, and the programs are flexible and tailored to your available study times.

Online Degrees Offered: Short Courses, VET Diplomas, Bachelor’s Degrees, Graduate Diplomas, Graduate Certificates, Master’s Degrees, MBA

Subjects: Business, Design, Media and Communication, Education, Social Science, Psychology

Tuition: $AUD 10,920 – 43,500 Domestic, $AUD 11,900 – 68,460 International (30% tuition discount if you are an international student living outside of Australia)

5. Open Universities Australia

Open Universities Australia is an online database of over 291 degrees offered online through 14 reputable Australian universities. You choose your program by browsing the site and you will do your coursework and lectures on the Open University platform, however your professors and classes will be from the university you have chosen and your diploma will show that you earned the degree from your chosen uni.

Online Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s Degrees, Bachelor’s Degrees with Honors, Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Master’s Degrees, Doctorate Degrees

Subjects: All Subjects

Tuition: Varies depending on university chosen

What to Look For in an Online Study Program

There are several things to look for in an online program. First, make sure the online school you are looking at offers the degree tracks you are interested in. Then look at the timeline and price to complete the program. Make sure that the program fits in with your time constraints and budget before going any further.

After you’ve confirmed those important details, get to know the program a bit better. Browse through the classes offered and required to complete the degree and make sure that this is indeed what you want to study. Then check the flexibility of the program, for example, are you going to be required to tune in daily to lectures or will you have access to a recorded session at any time?

Finally, check out the reputations and accreditations of the school and program. Is it internationally recognized, are the professors reputable and knowledgeable? See if you can locate reviews online from students who have completed the program to further help your decision making.

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Study Online For Free

Many programs offered today are offered online for free. There are even full degree programs offered completely tuition-free! Some common options for free non-degree programs include EdX, Alison, and OpenLearn.

If an academic undergraduate degree is something you are looking for, University of the People could be a great solution for you! It’s a US accredited and fully online tuition-free university tha offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, education, health administration and computer science. UoPeople is the perfect fit for someone looking for a fully-online higher education with a flexible schedule. Even though it is tuition-free, assessment fees do apply.

No matter if you are an international student or a domestic student, Australia has plenty of programs for studying online, and online study is an excellent choice for those looking for flexibility and a way to study while working or pursuing other interests.