Distance education offers several benefits. The primary benefit of it being, that students who might not be able to take up full time courses due to time or financial constraints can easily take up distance . For students who due to financial constraints are unable to take up full time courses, distance education courses may be a great option. Since the arrival of the internet, it has become extremely easy to take up a distance education course through the internet. Now geographical boundaries have no meaning for where ever you may be sitting in the world, you can remain connected through the internet. If you have access to the internet then you can take up one of several distance education courses on the internet across various disciplines.

There are several web sites on the internet that offer courses as well as tutorials which students can take up with out having to pay a large salary. There also a large number of web sites that offer you free distance education courses to students. If you are looking for free distance education courses on the internet then you can log on to the following web sites in order to find a distance education course that suits your profile or educational aspirations.

http://www.distance-education.org/Articles/135-Completely-Free-Distance-Education-Courses-26.html: This web site offers distance education courses across several streams like Art, History, Medical, Science, Biology, Business and other streams. Hence you can choose from among several courses and take up a free distance education course of your choice.

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is named after former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with its headquarters in New Delhi. The emergence of university is because of Indira Gnadhi National University Act passed by Parliament of India in 1985.

IGNOU was basically established for following
reasons:

• Provide education by means of correspondence courses
• Give higher education openings
• Organize the standards for open education in Indian
• Build up the human resources of India
• It maintains the standards of distance education by acting as national resource center

IGNOU is one of the biggest universities in India which also serves in 35 nations with 11 institutes having an association of 58 regional and 7 sub-regional centers. It consists of around 1.4 million students in 1400 education centers. It is famous for its higher or post graduation studies i.e. 1 out off 10 students opt for higher education in India. It has certification, degree and diploma courses around 1100. Different kinds of courses offered by IGNOU are as follows:

• Doctoral Program
• Master’s Degree Program
• Bachelor’s Degree Program
• PG Diploma Program
• Certificate Program
• Diploma Program

IGNOU way of training is very much different from that of other universities. The academy has approved a multimedia method to education. The different components are as follows: self learning notes, counseling conferences, both peer-to-peer and through teleconferencing mode. For different technical and nursing courses the apparatus are arranged for practical.

The evaluation or the marking system is two-tier i.e. there are two ways a student is judged, which are:

• There is a timely online test basically multi-choice questions, assignments are also graded and in some cases project work.
• The examination at term end

For further information a person can contact on:

Maidan Garhi

Delhi

India Pin Code: 110 068

Website: http://www.ignou.ac.in

Symbiosis, term means “living together for mutual benefit” is well known for its foreign education. The university was founded in 1971 by Padmashree Dr. S. B. Mujumdar. IT is popular because it has collection of 33 institutions which provides learning from Kindergarten to Post education. It is ranked 5^th in India because of its best skills in Management, Law, Computer, Commerce, etc.

Symbiosis Center for Distance Learning (SCDL) is the one which is engaged in carrying out correspondence courses. Initially SCDL used to be the autonomous institute in India. The reasons behind the emerging of the SCDL are as follows:

• Large number of institutes started their correspondence courses with Symbiosis
• Maintain the methodology of e-learning
• Supplying the printed standard notes that would help students to study without doing practical
• Establishment of other education programs

Symbiosis Open Education Society (SOES) is an establishment of Symbiosis only for open and distance education. The main aim of the SOES is to endorse progress and spread knowledge via correspondence learning system. There are many companies involved which are interested in corporate post graduation courses like Intel, HP, Wipro, IBM, Infosys, Aztec, Xansa India Ltd., GCI Technologies Ltd., etc. At present more than 200000 students from 42 nations are involved with SCDL. The centers of Symbiosis are as follows:

• Symbiosis Bhavan, 1065 B,
  Gokhale Cross Road, Model Colony,
  Pune 411016, Maharashtra, India
  Phone: (020) 66211000 -20 (Hunting lines)
  Fax: (020) 66211040, 66211041
  E-mail ID: http://www.scdl.net/emaillist.asp

• Symbiosis Campus, Sr. No. 94, 95,
  Electronic City Ph – I, Hosur Road,
  Bangalore 560100
  Phone: (080) 66389912 / 14 / 15 / 16
  Fax: (080) 66389997

• C/o Symbiosis Institute of Operations Management(SIOM)
  A-23, Shravan Sector,
  CIDCO, New NASHIK
  Nashik – 422 008
  LL + Fax No: 0253-2392689

The old trend and tradition of traveling long away carrying your bags for further education or for pursuing a particular course in a specific university is gone. A person can complete his/ her degree in a particular course with the help of distance education. Diploma courses are for specialization i.e. if a person wants to seek knowledge only in a particular line like hotel management, food technology, computers, etc. he/ she can go for diploma courses. A person can pursue his education in vocational subjects which are for short span of time i.e. 1 or 2 years, he /she may go for distance education in diploma. Many universities offer correspondence diploma courses i.e. a person can complete his/ her exams online. Diploma courses are available in Journalism, Library & Information Science, Tourism & Hotel Mgt., Fashion Design & Boutique Management, Industrial Hygiene, etc.

The list of some of the Indian universities that helps in distance education diploma are as follows:

• Indira Gandhi National Open University (1985)-
  Maidan Garhi,
  New Delhi-110068
  Tel.: 91-11-29532321, 29535924-32, 29535062-65 (EPABX)
  Fax: 91-11-29536588
  E-mail: rmohan@ignou.ac.in
  Website: http://www.ignou.ac.in

• Kota Open University (1987)
  Rawatbhata Road, Akhelgarh, Kota-324010,
  Rajasthan,
  Tel.: 91-744-421254
  Fax: 91-744-421769

• Nalanda Open University (1987)
  Camp Office, 9, Adarsh Colony, Kidwaipuri,
  Patna – 800001,
  Bihar,
  Tel.: 91-612-234330
  Fax: 91-612-228513

• Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (1989)
  Dnyanagangotri, Near Gangapur Dam,
  Nashik-422005,
  Maharashtra,
  Tel.: 91-253-340228
  Fax: 91-253-341716
  E-mail: ycmou@vsnl.com
  Website: http://www.ycmou.com

• Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University (1991)
  Red Cross Bhawan, Shivaji Nagar,
  Bhopal-462016,
  Madhya Pradesh,
  Tel.: 91-755-550606
  Fax: 91-755-550606
  E-mail: rr@rbubhop.mp.nic.in

• U.P.Rajarshi Tandon Open University (1999)
  17, Maharshi Dayanand  Marg (Thornhill Road),
  Allahabad -21100,
  Uttar Pradesh,
  Tel.: 91-532-621839
  Fax: 91-532-621839
  E-mail: http://sanyal@nde.vsnl.net.in

• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University (1982)
  Road No.46, Jubilee Hills,
  Hyderabad – 500033,
  Andhra Pradesh
  Tel.: 91-40-3544910
  Fax: 91-40-3544830
  E-mail: braouap@hdl.dot.net.in

The Ph.D. has become a requirement for a career as a university professor or a researcher in most fields. Any person wanting to be a professor or a teacher should have a PhD degree.

There are many universities in India and overseas offering Distance Learning PhD programs in a number of disciplines. Individuals who want to pursue a vocation as a university professor or canvasser in a particular field can enroll at any of the institutes offering PhD program through distance education. A PhD in any field requires loads of research work and ample of reading. Therefore, pursuing PhD through distance learning saves a lot of time and offers other conveniences too. PhD graduates can take up careers in various government organization, private sector offices, or NGOs.

There are various benefits of Distance Learning PhD as now more and more students are opting to do their PhD through distance learning. Some of the benefits are that it saves time also the transportation cost to the educational university and for the professionals working somewhere and interested in this course. Today’s generation loves freedom and wants to do things in their own way and on their time.

The common eligibility criteria for Distance Learning PhD may be different depending on the university one enrolls. One of the universal eligibility criterions include submission of a thesis and defending it before a team of professional examiners whom the institution of higher education appoints. The students have to pursue a distance learning PhD program to complete a particular number of advanced courses related to their area of interest.

For people who have these constraint in terms of getting the education that they need, they can easily join up for higher learning courses online. Enrolling for these courses online will give one the ability to get an individuals degree flexibly. All one has to do is have an internet connection and a processor with which to download the course material. One can also submit the assignments and any project material that he or she has to submit through these same means. Presence at the physical campuses of most online institutions is hardly necessary. One can get a degree while he or she is at home or in the office.

The Internet offers probable students all of the features of both a big and a small town or city. Using a good search engine will bring an individual right up to the community of ones choice. One of the great things about online schooling is that no matter where you are in the world you can find as many options as you would have in the biggest cities in the world. Once you have begun your search, your first job is to slender down the distance learning PhD programs in your discipline. You want to learn as much about the institutions as probable, often schools will send you free information about their various programs; it is a good idea to learn all you can about a school and their reputation.

Various benefits associated with online distance education are that one saves money from everything from the costs of tuitions and on transportation to visit the University of higher learning. Sometimes there are unnecessary fees charged by the institutions by the students and online degree saves the above costs. In India due to the economical conditions, online degree will prove helpful in near future.

A large number of universities award the degree of Master of Science in a large number of countries. The degree is obtained is in the stream of science and social science.

Masters of Science degree in a variety of subjects offers great career projection for students in the some of the best organizations. With the introduction of Distance Learning MS courses, you now have the option to continue with your current job and enroll for the study program at the same time. All over the world, several institutes have realized the significance of distance education. At present, more and more institutes in India and out of the country are offering MS degree courses in various disciplines through the distance-learning mode.

The common eligibility for distance learning MS courses and the condition for getting admissions to the Distance Learning MS courses is that the candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in science. In addition, the cut off percentage for admissions to the various MS degree courses may be different depending on the institute.

Distance learning provides various ms courses that enable a student to choose the subject he or she wishes. There are many subject offered in MS such as MS in chemical technology, physics, management systems, manufacturing management, engineering management, pharmaceutical operations and management and telecommunication and software engineering.

In India there are various institutes offering distance ms courses and  one of the leading institutes offering Distance Learning MS Courses is the Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, there are several other institutes in India as well as abroad that offer this course.

Biotechnology distance education today plays an important role and offers a wide range of online courses that can conveniently fit into ones schedule. It proves very helpful for a busy professional. The online courses have a detailed coverage of the topic included in the course and is taught by experts and well- trained teachers from all over.

Today one can achieve a degree of masters in biotechnology completely online.

There are abundant numbers of biotechnology online institutes which enable students to get a great biotechnology distance education course online. Biotechnology distance learning programs confer certificates, associate’s degrees and even bachelor’s and master’s degrees online. As far as these distance learning programs are properly accredited, the right degree or the certificate can be sufficient for a basic career in biotechnology. For those who do not have the time or inclination to attend a brick-and-mortar university, an online biotechnology degree is the solution.

Biotechnology distance education also offers classes from home computers and can be attended on any time whenever convenient. One can work at ones own speed and in ones own style. In biotechnology distance education the professors are usually available to contact by instant message or email to help with any problems one might have over the course of study.

For biotechnology distance education The National Center of Biotechnology Information is the best place. Today there is a lot of demand in biotechnology and one can easily obtain the degree sitting at home. In biotechnology distance learning there is an advantage that the experts all over the world can communicate and a student receives the best knowledge as more and more ideas are taken.

Many institutes through out India are coming up with distance education programme for Engineering. The demand for engineering courses through India is huge, but unfortunately the intake is low. Therefore many students don’t end up doing engineering. Many of them travel beyond their vicinity in order to achieve their dream. Also many working professionals want to do certain certificate courses without disrupting their work routine.

Institution of engineers (INDIA) helps to secure AIME which is equivalent to engineering degree. Even diploma holders are eligible for the exam. It involves individual study.

Indira Gandhi Nation Open University (IGNOU) offers B.Tech through distance education programme. Students who have finished their diploma in related engineering field like Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and Computer and are employed in their related field are eligible for admission.

SRM University also provides M.Tech as a part of their distance learning curriculum.

IIT Bombay also offers distance learning through web cast, videoconferencing.

BITS PILANI has also come up with center for distance education. Various courses offered through distance education in engineering are:

• Civil Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical and Electronics Engineering
• Electronics and Communication Engineering
• Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering
• Computer Science and Engineering
• Information Technology

The requirement for these courses is 10+2 with minimum aggregate of 50% in maths. Physics, and Chemistry. exams are conducted at individual campuses.

There are many other Certificate courses in engineering as part of distance learning program such as:

• Certificate programme in Automobile Technology
• Certificate programme in offset machine Printing
• Certificate programme in Quality Management

There are also various Post Graduate Diploma courses as well as Advanced Diploma courses.

All these Distance learning courses in engineering encourages more and more students to take up engineering as their degree.

Working professionals are also benefited by the variety of different courses which can give them career enhancement, while working.

Distance education offers flexibility, especially for working professionals, who want to study further for career advancement without the constraint to location and time. A degree or diploma certification in law can be acquired through distance education.

There are many colleges in India which offer law distance education. Some are national universities while some are private universities. Here is a list of some recognized national as well as private universities offering distance education in law.

• Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Delhi,
• Annamalai University (Tamil Nadu)
• National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore,
• The Dr. Ambedkar Law University (TN),
• Kakatiya University (Warangal),
• Kurukshetra University (Haryana),
• Madurai Kamraj University (Madurai),
• Mahatma Gandhi University (Kottayam),
• SNDT Women’s University (Mumbai) etc

Many of these universities listed above offer two year courses, diploma course as well as short course of three months. There are various areas of specialization which you can choose while selecting your course.
These specializations in law are :

• Civic Law,
• Criminal Law,
• Administration,
• Cyber Laws and Intellectual Property Rights (copyright, Patents, trademark, design),
• Trade Law,
• Business Law,
• Medical law and Ethics,
• Human Rights Law,
• Environmental Law,

• Women and Law,
• Consumer Protection Law,
• Local Self-Government Law,
• Labor Law,
• Technology law,
• Securities law,
• ADR (Alternative dispute resolution).

Exams for Law distance education are conducted at respective campuses. The exams in a lot of cases are usually held for six days, out of which 5 days are theory papers, 1 paper a day. On the 6^th day viva’s are conducted for all the 5 subjects. Many colleges also have entrance exams for law distance education.