At ECU we understand that everyone is different.
Different work arrangements, different family responsibilities, different locations or different learning styles.
It's why we offer the flexibility of studying many of our courses online.
Now you can study where you want, when you want.
Balance your study with family and work commitments. Or advance your career without leaving the workplace.
And just because you're not on campus doesn’t mean we'll forget you.
Our online students are well supported too.
Online study is delivered via our virtual learning environment called 'Blackboard'.
We may also post some material to you – including printed information and CD ROMs.
Your student email account is used for most correspondence, e.g. exam information or unit updates from course coordinators and tutors.
If you're not too far from an ECU campus, you can also access campus facilities and learning support services.
If not, some support services can still be accessed online.
You can purchase textbooks from a Co-Op Shop on one of our campuses, or better still, order them from their online shop .
Resources are also available to online students via the ECU Library .
Our library databases and online catalogue enable you to conduct research online.
And if you live more than 50km from an ECU campus, Library staff can provide you with copies of journal articles and books, including posting publications to your home address.
Most of the units you study online will require you to attend a final examination.
You can register your attendance at one of our examination centre locations using 'SIMO', our Student Information Management Online system.
If you live further then 80km from an examination centre, you simply need to nominate someone to supervise your exams and you can do them at home.
SIMO is also your 'go to' place for enrolling in units, checking unit results and looking up exam timetables.
At ECU you can study degrees, diplomas, certificates and even doctorates online.
Some of our courses are ideal for distance study as they are completely online.
Others, like Engineering or Paramedicine for example, have practical, hands-on units that require you to spend some time on-campus and/or on an industry-specific placement.
Theory-based units can be completed online to complement the ones you have to complete on-campus.
Your lecturers will use our 'Blackboard' system to teach your online units.
All units have a site on Blackboard where you can access unit plans and materials, as well as your lecturer's contact details.
Here, you can submit assignments and view your marks for completed ones.
For an increasing number of units, you can also listen to recordings of the lectures – it's just like being there.
Blackboard also features a discussion board, wiki, blogs, journals and ePortfolios.
A growing number of our students are choosing online study to help them balance work and/or family commitments.
And we receive a lot of enquiries about studying courses online.
The most popular of these are for Psychology & Counselling, Health Science, Teacher Education, Nursing & Midwifery and Business courses.
We recently asked some of our students about their biggest online study challenges and how we've helped to overcome these.
"My biggest challenge studying online is not meeting other students in the unit. ECU has overcome this by providing online discussion boards and, if students live closer to campus, the opportunity to meet at social gatherings."
Zara
Psychology, Criminology & Justice student
"It really helps to attend the online tutorials presented by the lecturers and to find an online 'partner' that you can support and can support you throughout the duration of a unit or even your entire degree. Also establish relationships and 'discussions' with the lecturers and other students in your cohort by using the blackboard facilities."
Janie
Law student
"The biggest challenge is ensuring you have a stable internet connection, particularly for the online tutorials. The other thing is have a study network, even if it involves email, Skype or other means to remain in touch with other students. The tutors at ECU have actively encouraged this."
Davina-lee
Law student
"The best part about studying online is that you can listen to recordings of lectures, including what other people have said! It's like you're in the lecture without being in it."
Taniya
MBA student
"Studying online has really helped me work towards my dream of a job in the sciences. It has meant that I can work full time and continue to progress in my degree at a reasonable pace. The support for the online units is fantastic and I couldn't recommend it enough."
Ian
Biological Sciences student
"Studying online allows me to fit study around my life, rather than my life around study. I can study whenever and wherever I like with the same content and support that those studying on campus receive."
Rebecca
Arts Honours student
"My online course helps me balance study with work/life."
"Studying 4 units while working full-time and being a father to my one-year-old son, has made me appreciate how much time I actually have and how to use it effectively. By making my degree available to study online, ECU has really helped with this. It has been challenging, but extremely rewarding. Help is there when you need it and you can complete the modules in your own time."
Adam Croswell
Information Technology student
If you've chosen a course, you can apply online right away.
Like the sound of online study, but need to check what’s available?
Like the sound of studying at ECU, but need to discuss options with someone?
