Online or In-class - Which is Better?

Through attending lectures, classes, and workshops, you get to learn ‘in the flesh’ by interacting with your teachers, fellow students, and practical materials. It can be easy to stay motivated in this way, rather than having to motivate yourself on your own.

Being on campus also gives you the opportunity to speak to your lecturers and tutors face-to-face. You’ll be able to pick their brains and ask questions as you go along. Being face-to-face is great for building your academic and career network, too.

Studying on campus is also a wonderful way to meet fellow students and even make friends. You can assist each other with assignments, study together and even attend designated study groups. If you prefer to learn with others, the on-campus option could be great for you.

Being on campus also means you have the advantage of getting ‘out and about’ so that you can learn and study. If you’re the type that finds it difficult to get motivated or study distraction-free at home, an on-campus style of learning might be ideal.

This means that you must physically be at a lecture or in class at specific times each week. If you’re balancing work or other life commitments, this can be difficult. And if you miss a lecture or class, you miss out on the knowledge.

Many on-campus courses will make attendance a portion of your final assessment and grade. Hence, if you miss or skip classes, it could affect your marks at the end of the course.

If you’re traveling to/from campus, this can also eat into your spare time. Things like traffic and public transport issues can also be frustrating, especially if you’ve got a long way to travel. Consider how much travel time you’re facing and how this could impact your daily schedules in general.

This is perhaps the biggest benefit of learning online. Each week, you get to choose what day and time you want to study. Materials and other notes are generally available 24/7. And while you may be required to attend certain group discussions and participate in forums, you can often do so at a time that’s convenient for you.

Many online courses also let you learn at your own pace, providing you with an overall timeframe in which to complete the course (e.g. 12 months). This means you can take as much or as little time as you need, without specific classes structuring your learning pace or your weekly schedule.

On-campus, you might find yourself in a huge lecture hall or a classroom of many students. Online classes are often much smaller, meaning you can gain easier access to your lecturers or tutors.

An online mode of study means that you won’t have to worry about traveling to/from campus. Thus, you can maximise your time and spend more hours studying – rather than commuting.

Depending on your industry, many online courses can be much more affordable than on-campus courses. You may want to consider an online qualification if you’re on a budget or if you simply want to keep your course fees down.

Since online studying essentially takes place at the computer, there can be minimal (or no) face-to-face interaction with teachers and classmates. In most cases, you’ll be communicating via email or online. For some students, this can make learning difficult.

Problems with technology can make online learning frustrating, especially if you can’t access materials and notes, or if you aren’t overly computer savvy or don’t have a great Internet connection. Think about how well you are set up in terms of technology when considering an online course.

This is the big one! You’ll have no one to encourage you to study except yourself. And sometimes it can be hard to discipline yourself and stay motivated to study, especially if you’re busy with other work and life commitments or can be easily distracted while at home. Consider how well you can discipline yourself if you’re thinking about studying online!

For some courses, you still may have to head to a campus to complete an exam and assessments or attend a mandatory ‘on campus’ portion of your course. Take this into account too when considering your method of learning!