A Guide to Online Bachelor's Degrees

Earning your bachelor’s degree online has become increasingly popular since the first online degrees became available in the late 1980s. Many benefits associated with learning online exist. Regarding degree programmes, you don’t have to relocate because you can study from where you are. This can reduce travel costs because you don’t need to be on campus, and you may enjoy a more flexible schedule, especially if your programme offers asynchronous learning.

Discover what it takes to earn your bachelor’s degree online and how you can determine whether it’s the best degree option for you. 

Online bachelor’s degrees: Costs + time

Online bachelor’s degree fees vary widely and depend on the university you choose, whether you’re attending full or part-time, and what subject you want to study. Take a look at a few examples:

With an online degree programme, you can access your courses from home—or anywhere with internet access—and avoid some traditional college expenses, such as commuting, which can often increase yearly costs. 

When you embark on an online bachelor’s programme, it will take around four or five years to finish your degree when you can attend full-time. That’s about the same time it takes a full-time student to earn an in-person bachelor’s degree. When you attend part-time, your timeline depends on how many courses you can take each semester.

Ways to accelerate your online degree completion 

You may be able to speed up the time it takes to earn your online bachelor’s. Any university credits you’ve previously earned may be eligible to transfer, which can reduce the time it takes to reach the minimum number of credits to graduate. 

Many online degrees are also self-paced. While your programme may suggest an average number of modules to take each semester, you may be able to take more (if you have the time) and accelerate how quickly you finish your degree. For example, in at least three years, you can complete the BSc in Marketing from the University of London, available on Coursera.

Benefits of earning your bachelor’s degree online 

Graduating with your bachelor’s degree is a major accomplishment. Beyond the subject knowledge you’ll have gained, you may be able to boost your earning potential, lower your risk of unemployment, and qualify for more roles. If you choose to enroll in an online bachelor’s degree programme, you may also find a few extra benefits. 

• Flexibility: Online courses occur asynchronously, potentially making it easier to earn your education around your other responsibilities. 

• Work while attending university: Thanks to that flexibility, you may find it easier to continue working part-time or full-time while earning your degree rather than taking time off to focus solely on your education. 

• Develop valuable workplace skills: Earning your bachelor’s online requires self-discipline and time management, thanks to the self-paced and flexible nature of learning. Both are important workplace skills. 

• Network with your classmates: Many online bachelor’s programmes offer opportunities to interact with classmates through discussion forums and other virtual tools in response to online students' demand for socialisation. 

6 factors to help you choose the best online degree programme 

Earning your bachelor’s degree online can be beneficial, but it’s not for everyone. It’s important to consider what you want to accomplish by earning your degree and the type of programme (online or in-person) that will help you achieve that. 

Everyone’s needs are different. Understanding your motivations for beginning a degree programme, the resources you have to work with, and how you best learn can help you get closer to the best decision for you. Review six other factors to keep in mind as you explore online degree programmes:

1. Degree subject

You have many degree subjects to choose from online, but you may find that not every subject is available—or available from the online college you’d most like to attend. When you know what you’d like to study, do some initial research to ensure it’s available. 

2. Flexibility

Online degrees often provide greater flexibility, but what that looks like depends on the programme you enroll in. Take time to learn the format of your courses (asynchronously or synchronously), how self-paced your semesters will be, any requirements around assignment deadlines, and other factors that could impact your schedule. 

4. Credit transfer 

If you’ve previously earned some amount of university credit, you may be able to transfer a portion (or all) of those credits to your new online degree programme. That can help accelerate the time it takes to finish your degree. 

5. Learning technology

How you learn online will depend on the technology your online college uses. As you identify potential programmes, speak with an advisor about your school's learning management system (LMS) and any other digital tools you’ll use to take your course. 

6. Student services

Depending on your online degree programme, you may have access to various student services, like advising and career support. If having more hands-on help throughout your programme and in the lead-up to graduation is important, then enquire about what resources your programme offers. 

How to pay for your online bachelor’s degree 

It's important to consider how you plan to pay for your degree, whether online or in person. As you research the potential cost of your education, here are a few options to consider when paying for your online degree. 

1. Apply for student aid.

Many universities in the United Kingdom offer financial aid for citizens taking online degrees. Check with your university about what aid you might qualify for based on your nationality, degree, and educational background.

2. Look for financial aid.

Many online colleges offer institutional aid or scholarships to help lower the overall cost of attendance. Visit your university’s student financial services page to learn more about how to apply for school-specific financial assistance. At the programme level, you may also find departmental scholarships or other funding sources worth exploring. Student loans can be helpful to cover any gaps you face in paying for your education. 

3. Work part-time or full-time.

While many students work part-time while earning their in-person degree, the added scheduling flexibility and the self-paced nature of online learning can make it easier if you choose to work full-time while attending university. With either part-time or full-time work, you can allocate some of your income towards your education expenses and offset the overall cost of your degree.

Other ways to learn online 

An online bachelor’s degree can strengthen your subject knowledge and add a helpful credential to your CV. But it’s also a significant time commitment. If you want to bolster your skills faster, consider the options below. 

• Short courses: If you would like to learn more about a specific topic, take short courses in various areas from different universities. 

• Professional Certificates: Develop job-ready skills in a matter of months with a Professional Certificate. Enrol in beginner and advanced programmes from companies such as Google, IBM, and Meta. Each certificate programme takes less than a year to complete, and you can gain important industry knowledge and career skills. 

• Bootcamps: With computer science, data science, and UX design, you can participate in a shorter but more in-depth programme called a bootcamp. These aim to help you develop job-ready knowledge and skills and can help you accelerate your learning. Many also feature career placement support. 

Explore online bachelor's degrees on Coursera

Online bachelor’s degrees are more affordable and flexible than in-person degrees. Depending on what you want to study and the factors that are important to you, you’ll find a range of options available. 

You can earn a bachelor’s degree on Coursera, including a bachelor of science in marketing offered by the University of London. These degrees aim for flexible and self-paced study so that you can learn independently.