None of the high school students participating in today’s National School Walkout are old enough to remember the events of April 20, 1999. But this Friday marks nearly nineteen years since the Columbine High School massacre. Here's how students across the country are remembering victims of schoo…
A partnership between NIE International (NIEI) Singapore, the business consultancy arm of the National Institute of Education, and one of Brazil's largest non-governmental organizations, the Ayrton Senna Institute (IAS), will lead to new educational opportunities for more than 50,000 Brazilian stude…
It's not news that US college students lag behind in second-language learning and a recent report indicates that the US may be falling even further behind. Learn more about the decline of language learning in the US.
We’ve all heard the expression that “men are from Mars and women are from Venus.” However, according to recent research published in the journal, Advances in Physiology Education, it may be more...
They’re all over the news when it comes to education and assessment. Some folks favor them, some not so much. Let's take a closer look at what standardized tests are--and how you can ace them.
There’s more than one path to success and they don’t necessarily involve four-year degrees or any degree at all. College is not for everybody. Learn more about the difference between community college and vocational school.
What are Academic Courses?
Academic courses include a variety of post-secondary school programs that provide graduates with college- or university-level academic qualifications. Some academic courses are designed to help bridge the gap between secondary school and university. Others are aimed at graduate- or post-graduate-level students, or working professionals. Some key types of academic courses include Foundation Courses, Preparatory Year, Certificates, Diplomas and Associates Degrees.
What do we study in Academic Courses?
There are academic courses in almost any academic discipline. Universities, community colleges and technical schools offer academic courses in fields such as · Business, · Natural Sciences, · Humanities, · Social Sciences, · Arts, · Education, · Engineering, · Mathematics, · Computer Sciences, · …and more. Academic courses deal with a more specific subject within one of the wider academic fields or disciplines listed above. Examples of academic course titles include “Course in Thermal Energy at the Nanoscale,” “Professional Course: Fashion Visual Merchandising,” or “Diploma Legal Administrative Assistant.”
What are the benefits of taking Academic Courses?
The decision to take an academic course can be life-changing. Academic courses give prospective students the opportunity to invest in their education and their career by developing professional skills, practical knowledge and an understanding of key theoretical concepts. Whether in a Diploma, Certificate or Associates Degree program, or a shorter Intensive Summer Course, there are measurable benefits to enrolling in academic courses. Prospective employers usually regard applicants with appropriate academic qualifications with higher interest than those who have not taken any academic courses or programs.
What kind of career improvement can you expect when taking Academic Courses?
Students who make the investment in their academic career by enrolling in courses can expect an improvement in their career prospects once they attain the resulting academic qualification. Diplomas, Certificates and Associate Degrees are requirements for consideration for some positions. Summer courses, Foundational Courses and a Preparatory Year can also lead to career improvement by developing key skills and knowledge in a field, which proves critical to professional success.
How much do Academic Courses cost?
The costs of academic courses vary widely depending on the type of course, duration, the school and the country. Cost summaries are available on some of the academic course program pages, or you can request more information from the school or university. It is always a good idea to contact the school offering the academic course of interest, because they may be able to give more information about any financial aid or scholarships that could be available to applicants.
Why take Academic Courses online?
Some students have full time commitments, such as a career or family, which prevent them from travelling to campus for their studies. Online academic courses bring the classroom to the student via the most up-to-date e-learning technologies. Students enrolled in academic courses online can directly communicate with their professors and peers via email, teleconferencing, forums, video conferencing, chat/messenger and more. Some students find that studying online in their academic courses enables them to improve their written communication skills faster than they would in the classroom.
How do Academic Courses differ in various countries?
The terms used for different types of academic courses will vary from country to country. For example, in Australia and the UK, the term Diploma often refers to an advanced level course done in a certain subject, leading to professional status. Prior to the Bologna Process in Greece, Germany, Hungary and some other European countries, a diploma was a five-year undergraduate degree roughly equivalent to a bachelor’s and master’s today. In some countries, academic certificates are required in addition to an undergraduate degree to qualify for professional practice in Education, Law or other disciplines.
To learn more about the numerous and diverse academic courses available around the world, explore the program pages on this website. You can always request more information about any academic courses of interest using the web form on the program detail page.