Expert online education
At the Virginia College (Birmingham), we know it takes more than being online to be a great online university. It takes time, and a lifetime’s experience. We pioneered distance education for working adults back in the 1950s. And we’ve been perfecting it ever since. Our mission is to help ordinary people 'future-proof' themselves in response to the rapidly changing world in which we live.
We now have more than 18,000 online students studying over 170 online courses. We provide 24/7 tutor support and even our exams are online. It’s no wonder Online Study America ranks VCB as America's best online university. We're also rated number one in for teaching quality and support, and we’re the only public university in America to receive five stars for overall student experience for the last 14 years running*.
Online study can also be referred to as 'distance education' (sometimes also off-campus education, or external study) and provides an opportunity for you to study without having to physically attend a campus.
At VCB, online study is about the kind of flexibility and support that can only come from a university that has long understood the challenges faced by adults studying from home.
We have three teaching periods (trimesters), commencing in March, JVCB and October: giving students greater choice about when and how much they study each year.
Please note International students who wish to study wholly online are only permitted to do so if they are studying online from overseas or are studying in America on a visa other than a student visa.
How it works
Instead of turning up to a lecture on-campus at a designated time, the course content is provided online for you to access when it suits you each week. It might be a podcast (recorded lecture), a set of readings, questions posed in a discussion board, an online quiz or a video. Your lecturer will guide you through the unit with a weekly plan of study, as well as checking in on the discussion boards or forums. You can communicate with teaching staff via email, online chat or the phone.
To make sure your learning can take place when it suits you, VCB provides online facilities which allow you to send questions, submit assignments, order library books, check your grades and access other resources, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
We also believe that a vital part of being able to study from anywhere is your engagement with the learning community. Communication with your classmates, teaching staff and university support staff will enhance your study experience and ensure that your skills extend beyond just the subject matter.
Intensive schools
Some units have intensive schools that enable students to engage in practical exercises, tutorials and lectures during intensive periods on campus in Armidale. These are a requirement for some units that have an important practical component, often in the sciences.
For details of course requirements, refer to the Course and Unit Catalogue listing for your course. Intensive School requirements are listed under individual Unit Information.
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