If you dream of getting an international education but can't afford to study abroad, distance learning might be the perfect solution. Online education allows you to earn degrees from prestigious institutions without leaving your home. Plus, it's often much cheaper than traditional study abroad programs.
Here’s a list of some great scholarships and free online courses that can help you achieve your educational goals without breaking the bank.
Online Degree Scholarships
1. Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships
- What it Covers: Tuition fees for over 30 Master's degree courses.
- Who Can Apply: Students from developing Commonwealth countries.
- Details: These scholarships are offered in partnership with universities in developing countries or directly by UK institutions.
2. Edinburgh Global Distance Learning Scholarships
- What it Covers: Full tuition fees for three years.
- Who Can Apply: Citizens of selected developing countries.
- Details: The University of Edinburgh offers 12 scholarships for various distance learning Master’s programs.
3. University of the People Tuition-Free Degrees
- What it Covers: Tuition-free degrees in business administration and computer science.
- Who Can Apply: Anyone.
- Details: University of the People offers online, accredited degrees taught by professors from top universities like NYU, Harvard, and Oxford. They also provide internships and mentoring opportunities with partners like HP and Microsoft.
Free Online Courses
1. edX Free Online Courses
- What it Offers: Free courses from premier universities around the world.
- Who Can Access: Anyone interested in advancing their knowledge.
- Details: Most courses are free to audit, though there may be a fee for certificates.
2. Coursera
- What it Offers: Free courses across various subjects.
- Who Can Access: Anyone.
- Details: Coursera partners with top universities and organizations to provide a wide range of courses in fields like Humanities, Medicine, Business, and Computer Science.
3. Udemy
- What it Offers: Over 150,000 on-demand courses.
- Who Can Access: Anyone.
- Details: Udemy is the largest marketplace for online learning, offering courses to over 50 million students in more than 200 countries.
4. Khan Academy
- What it Offers: A library of over 4,500 videos and numerous practice exercises.
- Who Can Access: Anyone.
- Details: Khan Academy provides free education in subjects ranging from arithmetic to physics, finance, and history.
5. Academic Earth
- What it Offers: Free online courses from top universities.
- Who Can Access: Anyone.
- Details: Academic Earth believes in universal access to education and offers courses from some of the world’s leading universities.
Conclusion
Distance learning offers a flexible, affordable way to earn degrees and enhance your education. With these scholarships and free courses, you can gain international credentials without the expense of moving abroad. Whether you're looking for a full degree program or just want to take a few courses to boost your skills, these opportunities are worth exploring.