Distance university courses are a way for students all over the world to earn credits and even degrees for study that they undertake at their convenience. These universities rely on online or other methods of virtual participation in lectures and seminars, and they require students to undertake intensive independent study that enriches the material which they learn from the convenience of their own homes.
The distance university makes higher education available for those who cannot attend courses at the physical campus of a traditional university. Since the costs involved in setting up and running a distance university are far lower than the expenses incurred by a traditional university, the price of an intensive distance university program is much lower than most university tuition. Indeed, some distance universities are administered by government bodies, and the cost of higher education via these virtual institutions of higher learning is often minimal.
Yet, for a serious and disciplined student, the quality of education obtained through a distance university can be quite high indeed. Virtual interaction with educators and even fellow students, combined with independent research, allows the distance university student to reach the highest level of mastery of her chosen field of study.