Over the last few years, a variety of students have had the option to choose whether or not to enroll in online courses. This essay will suggest that the primary advantage of this is that undergraduates with limited financial resources can easily afford their degree, while the limited hands-on experience is the biggest drawback of this.
It is well known that higher education usually requires a significant amount of money, and in order to pay less, students choose to take their courses online. This option allows them to save on tuition fees, travel expenses, and accommodation costs, making it possible to receive the same degree at a lower price. According to a recent article by British Council, the average student in London typically spends around 1400 pounds sterling per month on accommodation, bills, and a range of other living expenses during their studies, an amount that many simply cannot afford.
Despite these advantages, for some courses it is necessary to attend in-person classes due to the hands-on experience that many programs fail to provide in an online format. It is especially important for nature sciences and medicine related degrees, where without crucial practical experience, a person cannot truly call themselves a professional. For instance, the studies by the Ukrainian government indicate that 21% of medical students who completed their degrees online never received their diplomas.
In conclusion, enrolling in online courses may be beneficial for students who look forward to saving money and gaining specific skills, however, they should be aware that some courses would be much more effective with an in-person format.