Study materials are provided at the start of the course in a digital format, and are produced uniquely for each course by the lecturer who will be teaching you, so that it fits with their teaching style exactly. This is then supplemented by a world-class digital library system, with over 870,000 books and even more articles and journals. These can be browsed and downloaded digitally and used as resources for essays and assignments, so in many ways it’s even more convenient than a physical library system. However, there may be some books missing from this collection, and in these cases you can have the physical copy delivered to you for free.

One of the downsides of distance learning is not having regular face time with lecturers and other students. To make up for this, the online learning environment Stream has been developed, allowing you to share ideas with fellow students and the lecturer. This takes place in forums and discussion boards, and it’s also a hub for all the resources and information you need about the course.

Some courses also offer on-campus options, giving an opportunity for face-to-face tuition and explanation. The learning period is highly concentrated and focused, and can range from a few days to several weeks – on campuses with accommodation available, though you may need to organise this for yourself. During this time the course will cover essential skills that require either active instruction or specialised equipment only found at the university.

Distance Learning at Massey University adapts their top quality courses for distance learning, giving you the same options and opportunities as on-campus students.

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Like a traditional “offline” polytechnic, courses require a set attendance and enrolment (as opposed to other online courses where you can basically pick and choose when you want to attend and complete the lessons), so it’s definitely a commitment. However, this also gives you set goals and responsibilities, which makes it easier to stay on track and keep your progress up. It also gives structure to those who aren’t sure of the specific skills they need to learn, but know which area they want to go into.

There is a truly comprehensive range of subjects, and because it’s based in New Zealand they translate directly to the current industries and workplaces here. There is a big focus on practical skills such as construction and trades, education and IT and computing, and each one has a range of sub-courses and papers to choose from.

The qualifications gained come at a range of different levels, from certificates through to full Bachelor of Arts degrees such as with the social science and humanities courses. This makes it a very satisfying option for those looking for a real certification in addition to just acquiring some new skills and knowledge.

The biggest strength of the Open Polytech is that it is a specially designed online learning course, nothing about it has been adapted from regular courses and made to fit. It’s completely tailored for distance learning, and all the lecturers have experience and understanding of the challenges of this. This makes it a good choice for those making a serious educational investment.

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