Nowadays working professionals have very busy schedules – often having to juggle personal lives alongside their professional ones. In a highly competitive working environment, it is essential for these people to keep up with the times and they can do so by pursuing their higher education. If any of them wishes to continue their education, it would be difficult for them to enroll for a regular on-campus study route. Therefore, distance learning is the way to go for working professionals so that they can take advantage of the Flexible Distributed Learning Method – which allows students to study whenever, wherever.

Here is a list of reasons why distance learning would be beneficial for working professionals:

1. Flexibility

The most obvious advantage to working professionals of distance learning is that they can set their own pace of study. Many students are not suited to learning by sitting in a classroom, some students learn better by setting their own pace. According to studies, self-paced education “increases satisfaction and decreases stress”. They have the freedom to choose the time and place which suits them best, rather than having to adhere to a strict schedule as would be the case if they were to enroll in a regular university/college.

2. No harm to professional careers

Working professionals who wish to gain further education do not have to give up their jobs to do so. Distance learning does not interfere with work schedules and makes it easy for these people to get an education.

3. Saves time and money

Distance learning is also more cost-effective as compared to a normal on-campus programme. Not only is the fee more affordable but the students do not have to worry about accommodation cost as there is no need for them to find residence either on-campus or close to the campus. In addition to this, students also save their time and money as they do not have to commute to college every day. They do not have to spend any of their time stuck in traffic going or coming from college.

4. Improved knowledge retention

Distance learning helps improve knowledge retention. As the students are learning at their own pace, they do not feel rushed and it is up to them as to when they want to move on to the next module. There is no pressure on them to keep up with their peers, and as such students can absorb and retain more knowledge.

5. Networking opportunities

Distance learning programmes create an online community of students who can easily interact with each other. Since these students have the chance to interact with a diverse range of people, they have a wider range of networking opportunities. They get a chance to not only interact with the local people but also with those that they have met through the distance learning programme.

6. Teachers are working professionals

Majority of the teachers in distance learning programmes are working professionals so they not only have academic backgrounds, they have professional knowledge as well. They bring a range of skills to the table, all of which help the students improve their academic and professional knowledge.

Magna Carta College, Oxford’s independent business school offers various higher education programmes such as Masters and Bachelors programmes in Business Studies, as well as Executive Education programmes, through the Flexible Distributed Learning Method.