How does distance education work?

Whether you're looking to take that next step in your personal or professional development or are looking to transform your hobby into a job, distance learning courses are a great way to acquire a recognised qualification in a number of fields. You're just five easy steps away from achieving your dreams.

Distance education in five easy steps

• Step 1: Pick your field of study
  Are you looking to develop your skills as a freelance photographer? Or maybe you've got a great story to tell. Open Colleges (formerly Cengage Education) offers a number of distance education courses that are suitable for both personal and professional development including animal care, journalism, tourism and child care. Alternatively, our professional accounting and business management courses can help you take your career to the next level. You can learn the skills to start your own business or learn a valuable trade – the possibilities are endless.
• Step 2: Enrol and receive your distance education course materials
  Once you've selected your course, you can enrol online or if you prefer, you can speak with an Open Colleges course and careers advisor and enrol over the phone on 1300 853 033. There are a number of easy and flexible payment options to make your distance learning affordable, including a weekly payment option. You can choose to receive your distance education course materials online or in print through the mail. Instructions for study are clearly laid out in easy-to-follow modules and your study materials, including textbooks, are all included.
• Step 3: Complete and submit your assignments
  You can submit your assignments online via the convenient OpenSpace online portal, or if you've selected to undertake your assignments in print, you have the option of submitting online or mailing in your assignments for assessment. You control the pace of your study, completing assignments around your schedule. Each one of your completed assignments is graded and assessed by our qualified trainers, so you can keep track of your progress. Most vocational distance education courses will specify the time period in which the modules must be completed, which ranges from one to three years.
• Step 4: Get help, support and feedback during your distance learning program
  Stuck on an assignment? Need further explanation? Distance education gives you the help and support you need to complete your course – right at your fingertips. Our vast online library offers a wealth of information and useful resources to help you complete your assignments. Meanwhile, if you're looking for some one-on-one support, Open Colleges brings our expert qualified trainers to you – you can ask questions about your assignments or request feedback. You can also chat with other students about their distance learning experience, post questions on forums or ask for advice and handy tips from mentors and peers.
• Step 5: Graduate and achieve
  Congratulations! Once you've successfully completed your distance education coursework, you'll receive a certificate of completion or accredited qualification, but that's only the the start. As an Open Colleges distance learning program graduate, you're in a great position to take the next step in your career. Your journey is just beginning.

So what are you waiting for? Enrolling in distance education courses can help further your occupational development and let you advance in your field. Or if you're looking for a life change, distance learning is one of the easiest and most flexible ways to obtain the qualifications you need to start a brand new career.