Online Education: Online education is a transformative method of learning through electronic devices and the internet, offering convenience and flexibility. It spans various durations and levels, such as certificate, diploma, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. By aligning education with career aspirations, this approach prepares students for the job market. To effectively teach skills in online courses, audio, video, and virtual instruction are used. Increasing popularity of online education in India has positively impacted students’ learning experiences. The article provides a list of popular courses and online universities, as well as an overview of online education’s advantages and disadvantages. There are many online programs available from major universities, including Manipal, Lovely Professional, Amity, IGNOU, and Andhra University.
As education continues to evolve, online education has emerged as a transformative method of acquiring knowledge and skills. Through electronic devices and the internet, online education provides flexible and efficient learning opportunities. Students are now able to engage in learning from anywhere, unlocking a world of possibilities with its accessibility and convenience.
- Certificate courses – 6 months
- Diploma courses – 1 year
- Bachelor’s Degree programs – 3 years
- Master’s Degree programs – 2 years
- This increased demand for online education and highlighted its value. Many schools and universities offer online courses. Courses that assist students in learning online and improving their skills
- Students benefit from 24/7 online education. Technology like mobile phones and the internet will make it easier for students to learn anywhere, anytime. Face-to-face learning binds students, preventing this kind of learning flexibility.
- Online education includes audio, text, video, animations, tutoring, and virtual instruction from teachers. These strategies teach students how to become professionals.
- Many internet outlets connect professors and students. Social media, Google Meet, WhatsApp, Zoom, etc. Teachers can reach many students through various sources. These resources help teachers teach large groups at once. Let’s examine other online education issues.
During the pandemic, students have largely witnessed this mode of education, and most of the students have reacted positively. The learning experience of online education does not hold up students’ aspirations, but it actually aids in pushing them to go beyond the course contents.
| Online Master’s Degree (2 years) | Online Bachelor’s Degrees (3 years) |
|---|---|
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) with 24+ Specializations | B.Sc Degree in Programming and Data Science |
| Master of Commerce (MCOM) | Bachelor of Arts (Journalism & Mass Communication) |
| Master of Computer Applications (MCA) | Bachelor Of Business Administration (BBA) with 12+ Specialisations |
| Master of Arts (M.A) | Bachelor of Computer Applications |
| Master of Technology (M.Tech) | Bachelor of Arts (Hindi Medium) |
| Master of Science (M.Sc) with 7+ Specialisations | Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) with 3+ Specialisations |
| Master of Executive MBA with 6+ Specialisations | Bachelor of Tourism |
| Bachelor of Arts (Tourism Administration) |
The article effectively talks about online learning in India by communicating and discussing topics including;
- What is online education?
- Why online education is popular?
- Is online education effective?
- All the benefits of online education?
- Top Online Courses & Online Universities in India
- Online education in India
- Online education degree
- Online education advantages and disadvantages
What is Online Education?
Whenever we hear the word “online education”, one of the first things we think of is something that will allow us to stay at home, and study while using the internet as a learning tool. It’s true! It is probably true that one can possibly study from the comfort of their home with online learning, but it is not necessarily true that students should be at home when taking online classes or attending any learning sessions since they can do this from anywhere, so the location part is not necessary.
Is it possible to learn online? If so, how does it work? With the advent of online education, students were able to enjoy a learning experience that was similar to both traditional education and distance learning. As a middle path, it was explicitly designed to meet the needs of aspirants who wished to attain standard education but have not been able to do so due to major factors such as finances, time, or distance.
1. Post-Graduation Programmes: After graduating, many students enroll in MBA, MCA, MA, PGDM, etc. Online post-graduation can benefit students. Online education lets them get post-graduation degrees and work experience without impacting their jobs. Make sure the post-graduation program is UGC or AICTE-approved before enrolling.
2. Undergraduate Programmes: After 12th grade, several undergrad programs are available online. Students can enroll in online undergraduate courses and various diploma programs to boost their careers.
3. Digital Marketing Course: Internet-based product marketing using technological devices Most companies now use digital marketing to promote their goods and services. Thus, digital platforms require skilled digital marketers. Online digital marketing courses are helping many students climb the success ladder.
4. Communication: Communicating opinions is key. Any job requires communication abilities. Many institutes provide online communication courses to improve professional communication abilities.
5. Diploma Courses: Many students now take diploma courses along with their degrees. Diploma programs teach practical skills and knowledge. Online diploma classes can help anyone find better jobs.
6. Spoken English Courses: English is the global language. It’s good to study English writing and speaking because it’s required in the working world. Online courses can teach these abilities. Online classes allow students to communicate with students from various states or countries, which builds confidence.
Full-time or part-time professionals, financially weak aspirants, and students living in rural regions are loving the online mode of education. The online learning mode has assisted them in obtaining a quality education and earning a degree in their desired fields. Over the past decade, many students have successfully reached their dream careers, and worked for top brands i.e., Wipro, Tata, Facebook, etc., at lucrative profiles.
- After graduating, many students enrol in MBA programs, MCA programmes, MA programmes, and PGDM programmes. Students can benefit from online post-graduation programs by getting post-graduation degrees and work experience without losing their jobs. Before enrolling, make sure the UGC or AICTE has approved the post-graduation program.
- Several undergrad programmes are available online. Students can enrol in online undergrad courses and other diploma programmes to boost their careers after 12th grade.
- Digital Marketing Course – Internet-based product marketing using electronic devices. It is now common for companies to market their goods and services using digital platforms. Thus, digital platforms require skilled digital marketers. Many students are gaining success in digital marketing through online courses.
- Communication is a key component of any job. Numerous institutes offer online communication courses to help students improve their communication skills.
- Students are now taking diploma courses along with their degrees. Diploma courses teach practical skills and knowledge. Online diploma courses can help anyone get a better job.
- Spoken English Courses – English is the global language. Learning English writing and speaking is necessary in the professional world. Online courses can teach you these skills. Students can interact with students from other states or countries through online classes, which builds confidence.
Advantages of Online Education Over Offline Learning
Online education becomes popular due to the phenomenal growth in the mindset of modern-world students. Most of the current-era students want to continue their academic journey simultaneously with professional growth.
Online education encourages this kind of perception and provides sufficient time for both so that individuals can manage their education, and employment comfortably.
It is not just about learning and earning that one must look at as positive or benefit of online learning in India, but there are numerous other advantages exists that one must also see before he/she may look to opt for online education as a partner in the learning journey.
Online education offers a number of benefits for students we mentioned below.
- Time-flexibility or saving convenience opportunities: Students can learn online at their own pace and from anywhere in the world and can save time and money by not having to travel anywhere.
- Students can access quality online education there are various high-quality online programs available from the top universities.
- Introduction of technology in online learning.
- Development of qualities like self-management, and leadership.
Why Online Education is So Popular?
Cost-effective Nature of the online education courses:
Most online learning programs are found to be more affordable than traditional or conventional modes of education. The cost-effectiveness factor in course fees enables students from low-income families who cannot afford traditional learning to apply for and study for online education programs in their desired fields.
Time flexibility or Time Saving Opportunities:
Time is everything. If you are given the opportunity to save it by nourishing your academics, what else do you want? The flexible nature of online education allows students to study on their own set of schedules rather than at a particular time. Due to this, most online learning students have been able to develop time management skills.
Any online education program does not require students to be present at the university campus and take offline classes. This is why students are able to save travel time that costs them even more than the money. Saved time can be effectively used for personality development or any other significant reason.
Introduction of Technology:
The arrival of online education aided students’ community from primary to higher school levels to understand, and use technology. When we look back exactly twenty years ago, we cannot find a similar revolution in the education space where learners are not only obtaining their coursework education but also other necessary skills with the introduction of technology.
The online education system assisted students in learning, processing, and using internet applications based on video conferencing, evolving their internet searching ability, and providing a more unique and satisfying learning experience than hardcopies of materials.
Students have been able to learn in-depth about any specific subject, which has aided them in being one or two steps ahead in academics. The evolution of different skills in learners due to technology opens up limitless possibilities in the future for them.
Development of Qualities Like Self-management, and Leadership:
We have talked about several advantages of online education until now, but things that we should have discussed at the start of the talk have been skipped over. Online education has had a significant and positive impact on student’s academic and professional standing.
Two factors in the form of self-management and leadership skills are fruitfully developed in the online education system. The development of management and leadership phenomena not only touches the personality development factor but goes beyond it, and takes individuals to a new level of self-solidarity, and confidence.
Disadvantages of Online Education
Apart from general advantages, there are disadvantages of online education, as discussed below:
- High screen time: While pursuing studies in online mode, students tend to have a high screen time. That in the long run, might affect the health & eye of the student.
- No physical class experience: In Online education, students lack the experience of physical classes. So there will be less socializing.
Difference between Online Education vs Offline learning
| Online Education | Offline Learning |
| During Online learning, students adapt a cycle of classes with a flexible time span | During Offline Learning, learners need to attend the regular classes |
| The study material is available in online media, like recorded lectures, PDFs | The study material in traditional education is available in hard copy |
| The finest advantage of online education is its cost-effective nature | Travel & other miscellaneous expense turns offline learning into a bit expensive |
| It become the best mode of learning when it comes to earning while studying | Offline Education is the best way to pursue skilled based courses |
How to Choose the Right Online Education Courses & Universities in India?
If anyone is willing to study online education in India, they can certainly do so by choosing an online learning program, finding universities, and applying online. There are plenty of options in online education for students aiming for online diplomas, online certificates, and degree programs at the undergraduate, and postgraduate levels.
Candidates can easily go for courses in the following fields arts, humanities, science, business, management, technology, commerce, data science, and so on. Some of the courses available for online learning in India comprise BA, Bcom, Bsc, MBA, Mcom, MA, MSc, etc. Which Universities offer online courses? The courses listed above are taught at well-known online universities such as Lovely Professional University, Manipal University, Jain University, and others.
Some of the top online courses, their details, and many other factors will be covered in the next section of the article; However, we will not stop there and continue to provide more necessary information including a list of online education universities, their admission process, and so on.
Online Education Courses in India
Online education is a vast field of learning where students can find almost all courses from various domains.
| Online Undergraduate Courses | Fee |
| Online BA | Rs 30,000 to Rs 84,000 |
| Online BCom | Rs 30,000 to Rs 65,000 |
| Online BBA | Rs 30,000 to Rs 78,000 |
| Online BSc | Rs 30,000 to Rs 65,000 |
| Online BLIS | Rs 10,000 to Rs 36,000 |
| Online BTS | Rs 19,000 to Rs 49,000 |
| Online BCA | Rs 46,000 to Rs 98,000 |
| Online BSW | Rs 28,000 to Rs 56,000 |
| Online Master Courses | Fee |
| Online MA | Rs 20,000 to Rs 44,000 |
| Online MBA | Rs 45,000 to Rs 1.5 Lakhs |
| Online MCom | Rs 20,000 to Rs 56,000 |
| Online MSc | Rs 30,000 to Rs 69,000 |
| Online MSW | Rs 20,000 to Rs 45,000 |
| Online MCA | Rs 45,000 to Rs 1.2 Lakhs |
*Note- The fee of the online program specified above may vary as per the university/institute or by discipline.
Online BA Degree (Bachelor of Arts)
The online education degree program for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) has a minimum duration of three years. The course focuses on theoretical education with the aid of core, and elective subjects including political science, social science, languages, and so on.
Online BA degree holders can pursue opportunities and sustainability in academic and professional fields. They can opt for advanced learning options such as MA, LLB, MJMC, BEd, and so on.
Writer, administrative assistant, office assistant, data entry operator, customer support executive, and other reputable job roles for BA online degree holders are available. Starting salaries for online BA-based professionals range between INR 3-4 LPA.
Applicants can apply to the Bachelor of Arts online degree program at Lovely Professional University, Amity University, etc. The average fee for a BA degree program ranges from INR 16,000 to INR 28,560 annually.
Online BBA Degree (Bachelor of Business Administration)
Bachelor of Business Administration commonly known as BBA is an undergraduate cum foundational degree for an employment opportunity in management and leadership roles. The bachelor’s degree program of three-year duration includes subjects such as management accounting, marketing management, security analysis, and more.
Anyone who passes the online BBA degree can look forward to getting a job in the profiles of business development executives, marketing executives, financial analysts, and so on. The packages for professionals in this field can round around INR 5-6 LPA.
Some of the top online universities to pick for the BBA degree programs are Chandigarh University, Dy Patil University, etc. The complete, but average, fee for the online BBA degree program is 80,000 to INR 2,60,000.
Online BCom Degree (Bachelor of Commerce)
Bachelor of Commerce, abbreviated, and famously knowns as BCom is a degree program of 3-year duration. The course arises to share valuable knowledge with conceptually organized factors based on the following subjects such as accountancy, business management, mathematics, taxation, finance, and so on.
Passing the online degree with BCom opens the door to a plethora of lucrative career opportunities, such as account executive, business analyst, financial planner, commerce teacher, and so on. Earning packages in the commerce field allow professionals to make up to INR 5-8 LPA at the beginning of their employment career.
There are numerous universities for the online BCom degree program, such as Amity University, IGNOU, Jain University, etc. The annual fee of the online BCom degree program is INR 30,000 to 65,000.
Online BCA (Bachelor of Computer Application)
Online BCA education is offered by various universities in India. Bachelor of Computer Application is a bachelor-level degree that is 3 years long in duration. This is a technical course that covers topics like Programming Languages, Operating Systems, Java Programming, Database Management Systems, Computer Networks, etc.
Online education for BCA degrees is available at top institutions such as Amity, Manipal, IGNOU, LPU and others. Students who passed class 12th from any stream with mathematics as their main subjects are eligible for this online degree.
Online MA (Master of Arts)
Online MA or Master of Arts is a pg level program that comes under the arts stream for a duration of 2 years. This is one of the most pursued courses by students who have completed their undergraduate degree (BA/BCom/BSc). In online mode, MA course is available in different specializations like Online MA English, Online MA Hindi, Online MA Economics, Online MA Political Science & more.
After completion of the Online MA degree program in India, students can get an average salary of about INR 2.5 LPA to INR 4.7 LPA.
Online MBA (Master of Business Administration)
Online MBA or Master of Business Administration is a postgraduate program of a 2-year duration. The course is very demanding in the online mode because it helps students develop ideal skills for job opportunities like manager, administrator, consultant, and so on, at respected, and popular brands in the country, and abroad.
At the start of their leadership and management roles, the employed professional can easily earn around INR 7 to INR 10 LPA. Some universities to be looked at for the online MBA degree program are Manipal University, NMIMS, Amity University, etc. The expected fee range for the online MBA program is around INR 25,000 to 54,000 annually.
Online MCA (Master of Computer Application)
Online MCA or Master of Computer Applications is an advanced degree in computer applications after BCA that provides an in-depth option to study subjects such as computer languages, advanced mathematics, computer architecture, and so on.
Once the online education degree in computer science completes, students can go forward and grab job opportunities including software developer, data scientist, hardware engineer, web designer, etc. The salary of MCA degree-based professionals switches around INR 6-12 LPA.
Master of Computer Applications programs can be found at online universities such as Lovely Professional University, SRM University, etc. The fee for the online MCA degree program is INR 24,000 to INR 42,000 annually.
Which Online Education Courses are Most Popular?
The following list of online courses is considered one of the most popular in the student community.
- Bachelor of Arts (Online BA)
- Bachelor of Business Administration (Online BBA)
- Bachelor of Commerce (Online BCom)
- Bachelor of Science (Online BSc)
- Bachelor of Computer Applications (Online BCA)
- Master of Arts (Online MA)
- Master of Business Administration (Online MBA)
- Master of Computer Applications (Online MCA)
- Master of Commerce (Online MCom)
- Master of Science (Online MSc)
Top 30 UGC-Approved Indian Universities That Provide Online Degrees
Top Online Learning Universities in India
Many online universities are offering plenty of programs in different-different fields at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Some of the top filtered universities in India are listed below.
- Manipal University
- Lovely Professional University
- Amity University
- IGNOU
- Andhra University
Manipal University Online Learning
Manipal Online University has opened the admissions process for the 2023 academic year, which will be ending on 31 July 2023. Applicants can apply to the online education courses at Manipal, including BCom, BBA, MBA, MCA, and so on, by reaching out to the official website and completing the online application process.
All courses of Manipal University are entitled by the University Grants Commission (UGC) which assures the authenticity, and certification of online programs. The eligibility process, course fees, and others can be learned at the online education Manipal University website.
Lovely Professional University Online Learning
The Lovely Professional University of Online Education has extended the last date for admission form submission until 31 July 2023. Applicants who desire to apply for courses such as BCA, BA, MA English, MBA, MA Economics, etc., need to submit an online application with a registration fee of INR 500 before the deadline.
The admission will be fully offered on academic performance, and will not be considered at any level of entrance examinations. To know more about LPU Online, one can visit the official website.
Amity University Online
Amity University, in its online mode, comes up with various courses in management, information technology, commerce, arts & humanities, media & journalism, and so on. Candidates would find career-defining online programs, including BBA, BCA, BCom, BA Journalism, Mass Communication, MBA, MCA, and so on.
Applications for Amity Online University are currently open, so applicants can apply for their favorite programs as soon as possible. Interested students can learn about the application process on Amity Online’s official website. The closing date for online education admission at this university is 31 July 2023 (tentative).
Indira Gandhi National Open University
IGNOU offers a range of academic programs through online mode. IGNOU provides a complete online experience right from registration to certification. IGNOU is a great option for students pursuing higher education without attending regular classes. University offers various UG, PG, Certificates, and Diploma level courses. IGNOU is also a cost-effective option for students, as the fees are much lower than those other universities charge. For online education courses, IGNOU has started the July admission process and the last date to apply is 31 July 2023.
Andhra University Online
Andhra University has launched a portal for online programs for session 2023. Currently, the University is providing two online degree programs: Online BCom (Accountancy) and Online MA (Sociology) for session 2023.
The eligibility to get into these online degree programs at Andhra University is different, for UG (Online BCom Accountancy), one must complete the class 12th in any discipline. For PG (Online MA Sociology), completion of graduation is mandatory.
