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As the world keeps changing, so have modes of learning. Colleges and universities have slowly shifted away from the traditional way of learning and have embraced new modes of learning that caters to people with different learning needs. As a school leaver, it is important to know which mode of study best suits you especially in terms of fees and study flexibility that allows you to successfully start and complete your studies. There are mainly four distinct modes of study in Zambia, these being full-time, part time, distance and online. We shall start off by discussing things that are common to all modes of study (application process, course content and qualifications obtained) and end with those items that differ depending on the mode of study (fees, learning styles, assessments and duration of study)

Application Process

Application processes are similar across the different modes of study on offer. The mode of application can either be online or physical. Depending on the institutional preference, some schools accept only online applications, others accept only physical applications and others accept both. In the case of a physical application, application forms can be found on the institution’s website where they can be downloaded and printed out or can be bought at the institution’s admission offices. A filled in application form along with photocopies of other documents required should be handed in either in person at the institution or through mail (preferably express mail). An online application is made by directly filling in an application form on the institution’s website and uploading scanned copies of the required documents along with it.

In both modes of application, you will be required to pay a non-refundable application fee without which your application will not be processed. The application fee is typically deposited into the institutions bank account and the deposit slip attached to the application.

Please note that an online application is just as good as a physical one and you do not need to submit both. In the case of an institution that accepts both online and physical applications, it is advisable to submit your application online because of the ease with which your application can be processed, and the unlikely hood that you would miss the deadline. An online application is also convenient for those that live far from where the institution is located.

Course content

The course content (topics covered and depth) and materials used for each program of study are the same regardless of the mode of study. The only thing that differs is how the material is taught and delivered to the student, and the period within which it is delivered. Course content cannot differ because that is what determines whether or not you can be awarded a particular academic qualification. As an example, for you to be awarded a law degree, you need to have learnt all the courses that are required whether you studied online, full-time, part-time or under distance mode.

Qualifications obtained

Qualifications obtained under any mode of study carry the same weight and it will not typically state on your certificate, diploma or degree that you studied full-time, part-time, online or under distance. To ensure that all qualifications being awarded are up to standard, the government has set up institutions such as the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to monitor the quality of education being delivered. Other higher education accrediting institutions include the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA), TEVETA, Health Professionals Council of Zambia (HPCZ) and the General Nursing Council of Zambia (GNCZ). As a prospective student, you need to counter check even before applying that the school you are applying to is accredited by the relevant authorities to offer that program. Even seemingly big and established schools have been found to not be accredited to offer some programs and the students who were admitted to such programs were forced to withdraw, which is a waste of both precious time and money.

Here is a general guide:

All higher education institutions must be accredited by HEA.
All health-related programs (excluding nursing) must be approved by HPCZ.
Nursing, midwifery and related programs must be approved by GNCZ.
Crafts, Trades and Certificates must be approved by TEVETA.

Full-time Learning

Full-time learning is study that involves physically attending school on a regular basis usually from Monday to Friday in the day time. It has the advantage of enabling a student complete their studies in the quickest time possible and along with all the benefits that come with learning on campus such as access to the library, computer facilities, laboratories etc. Because of these reasons, full-time learning is on high demand and therefore has a stricter admission process with higher cut-off points.

Fees for full-time learning are usually higher than in all the other modes of study.

Accommodation on and around campus is also quite costly. Students on full-time learning living far from campus are required to commute daily to and from campus. A full-time student will be required to attend day time lectures, tutorials, labs and practicals.

Assessments: Full-time learning has a more comprehensive assessment style involving tests, quizzes, assignments, presentations and practical work all contributing to your final score.

Duration of study: diploma programs under full-time take 2-3 years while degree programs take 4-5 years.

Part-time Learning / Evening

Part-learning, just like full-time, is classroom based but has the advantage of being a much more flexible study more. Part-time learning requires you to attend some classes which are usually held in the evening and/or over the weekend. It best suited for individuals who have other day-time commitments such as work but live in the town where the institution is located. Because studying part-time is typically cheaper than going full-time, it provides a more economical way of studying for people who cannot afford to study full-time due to financial constraints.

Fees for part-time are higher than for online and distance but more affordable full-time

Accommodation: Students studying part-time do not need to live on campus.

Assessments: Involves tests, quizzes, assignments, presentations and practical work

Duration of study: It typically takes about a year longer to complete your studies if you study part-time instead of full-time. Meaning 3-4 years for a diploma and 5-6 years for a degree.

Distance Learning

Distance learning, as the name implies, does not require you to be physically present at the institution for the greater part. Most of the learning is done through self-study. The study material is made available to the student through the internet in the form of PDF documents, tutorial videos, podcasts etc. In the blended format, it is combined with e-learning and students may be required to attend some online lectures through video conferencing software such as Zoom or Google meet. Some programs might be offered purely by distance, but most have a period of residential school every academic year lasting anywhere from 2 weeks to 1 month. During this period, students are required to physically report on campus for tutorials, clarification on specific topics, discussion of assignments and examinations. Distance learning provides an even more flexible study mode that is free from constraints such as time, money and entry requirements. This mode of study is designed for individuals who cannot enrol full-time because of their work. It is also a good option for those who cannot enrol full-time due to failure to meet the full-time entry requirements or those who cannot afford the cost of full-time study.

Fees: Fees for distance learning are much more affordable than for any of the other modes of study already discussed.

Accommodation: For the majority of the study period, distance students are not required to report on campus, except during the 2 week-long residentials. The period of residential school usually takes place when full-time students are on holiday. This allows for the distance students to take up the available rooms on campus. Alternatively, one can choose to find accommodation off campus in a boarding house during the residential.

Assessments: This largely involves assignments which are submitted online either through the institution’s website or directly emailed to the lecturer. Other tests and examinations are written during the period of residentials. Some institutions such as UNZA have provincial centres from where tests and exams are administered which means distance students would not have to travel all the way to the main campus in Lusaka.

Duration of Study: This depends on the program of study but the duration is typically the same as full-time programs. In open distance learning (ODL) students can make decisions about how they want to follow the program and customize it there need. There is no specific duration in ODL because students learn at their own pace. It is advisable to check with the institution about the details of the program and how customizable it is.

Online Learning

In this mode of study, learning and examination is done entirely online. Because you never have to be physically present at any point during the course of study, it is possible to even enrol in universities abroad and obtain an international qualification. Studying online, you’ll have access to the institutions e-resources such as their digital library. Other study material such as pre-recorded video lectures, e-books and journals can be accessed by the student at any time on the institutions e-learning portal or will be emailed to the student. Sometimes there may be need to attend some live interactive sessions such as discussion forums, online lectures or interviews via video conferencing software e.g., Zoom and Google Meet. To effectively study online, you would need a laptop and smartphone or tablet with good internet connectivity. Studying online is not only flexible and convenient, but allows students to pursue their studies from anywhere in the world whilst providing an affordable option for those who cannot to enrol full-time due to monetary constraints.

Fees: Generally, more affordable than studying full-time or part-time

Accommodation: There is no need to ever report on campus. Studies can be undertaken by the student from anywhere in the world as long as they have an internet connection.

Assessments: Involve individual assignments, quizzes, live question and answer (Q&A) sessions and online exams. Online institutions have put in place measures that prevent students from cheating on exams such as anti-plagiarism software and use of questions that require critical thinking.

Duration of study: Same duration as full-time mode. Some programs allow the student to tailor their learning to suite their needs which means there is no time constraint on when to complete