Distance learning offers students the opportunity to develop further in life alongside a job, family or abroad. Because it adapts to the everyday life of our students – and not the other way around! Lara from the Student Advisory Service at IU explains how flexible distance learning really is.
Dear Lara, in distance learning, students learn 100% flexibly. What tools are there and how exactly do they work?
Lara: Our distance learning is really 100% flexible. All study materials are available to students on the myCampus online platform. Everyone decides for themselves how and, above all, when they acquire the knowledge. I’m studying marketing management for a master’s degree at the IU International University and at the same time I’m working in student counseling. I have to say I couldn’t have made a better decision for myself! I work six hours a day and after that I have time to study, pursue my hobbies and see friends and family. I can even write my exams when I’m abroad. That gives me a lot of flexibility and freedom.
The online campus is very clearly structured. You can find everything there that you need to prepare for the exams, e.g. digital scripts or learning videos. Students can view grades in myCampus at any time and easily download enrollment certificates. I can highly recommend our introductory event as a guide.
In addition to myCampus, there is the IU Learn App – my personal highlight. Here you will find, for example, all interactive books, i.e. interactively designed scripts that have small quiz questions ready after each lesson. Perfect for deepening knowledge and testing yourself!
We give prospective students the opportunity to test the distance learning course for a month without obligation. What are the advantages of this option for students who do not want to make a commitment right away?
Lara: The trial month is great for prospective students who are still unsure about the type of study, course or time model. During this month everything can be tested.
One advantage of our distance learning is that we offer flexible course and time models. How exactly can you imagine that?
Lara: That’s right, we not only offer many different courses, but also three different time models. As a result, the course adapts perfectly to every life situation. You can easily change the time models in the trial month, after that with a period of three months. So you are not nailed down, but remain flexible here as well. There is a course schedule, but you can rearrange it as you wish. This means that you could already take a module from the second semester in the first semester. In addition, we offer various options in each course, so that students can choose their favorite subjects themselves.
In the IU distance learning course, students can take their exams 24/7 – from anywhere in the world, during the day or at night. Does that actually work? How exactly do such flexible online exams work?
Lara: Yes, that’s actually possible. My family lives all over the world. I even wrote an exam in Doha (Qatar). Worked great. The students can decide for themselves whether they want to take the exam online or in person. You can easily set this on myCampus. For online exams, you will be assigned an exam supervisor. They’re all really nice too. I once had an exam and the invigilator told jokes at the beginning to reduce my nervousness. That worked great. You write the exam with an external camera on your laptop and send it off as soon as you’re done. There are also example videos on myCampus and the students can try the whole thing out in mock exams.
If something comes up in life, our students have the opportunity to take a semester off at any time. What exactly do students have to consider?
Lara: Vacation semesters are possible! The students can take a break for up to half of the standard period of study. Always on a semester basis. The only thing that should be noted is that you have to apply for the leave of absence at least 4 weeks before the end of the semester. A friend of mine became a mother a few months ago. She was quite surprised that she was able to pause her studies at the IU International University so easily.