A new association focused on the pivotal role of women in Africa’s development was recently announced in Ghana, at the Commonwealth Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics Africa. Let’s take a closer look at this initiative, and what it means for Africa.
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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.