There are more and more UK institutions offering distance learning courses. Find out how to get a top class qualification without leaving your country, your family or your job.

WHAT IS A DISTANCE LEARNING?

With open learning, you take responsibility for what you learn, how you learn, where you learn, how quickly you learn, who helps you and when you have your learning assessed. You will agree on this with your tutor.

Distance learning is a home study or correspondence course (postal or computer based). You will be sent a learning package for your course. If you are assessed by exam, these usually take place in the UK but some of them may be taken at our centre in Tirana. You can also choose open learning as a way of taking your UK qualification.

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

There is a wide range of courses including:

GCSEs and A-levels : undergraduate certificates, diplomas and degrees; postgraduate programmes, including MBAs.

HOW LONG DO I STUDY?

In most cases you choose when to study and how quickly. Some undergraduate programmes allow you up to eight years to complete your degree. Postgraduate students usually finish their course in a minimum of two years and a maximum of five.

WHERE TO SEARCH ?

The range of institutions offering distance learning is extremely great. There are four main providers, and more than fifty universities offering postgraduate training.

 The main providers

			University of London External Programme - University of London degrees.
			Open University (OU) - first degrees, postgraduate and professional training, and special-interest subjects.
			National Extension College (NEC) - first degrees, A-levels, GCSEs, professional and career-based training.
			Open Learning Foundation (OLF) - undergraduate degrees and Higher National Diplomas/Certificates, also MBA.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS   

Entry requirements for distance learning courses vary from institution to institution. Some organisations – such as the Open University – have no academic requirements but many masters’ programmes expect you to have a good first degree before you register. You should check with the institution you are applying to.

Will I have to take a language exam?

Yes, probably. You might be required to get a certain score in a recognised language exam. English language requirements may vary from institution to institution, so it is important that you check with the institution that you are applying to. Most UK institutions prefer one of these:

			International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
			Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
			Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE)

You should also check that the quality of the course and its provider are externally monitored and aproved by a recognised body:

			Open and DistanceLearning Quality Council (ODLQC)
			Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)

Take a look at our SUBJECT INFORMATION pages to find out more about the subject you are interested in.