Distance Learning in Hong Kong

A number of American universities offer distance learning programs in Hong Kong. When deciding about whether or not to pursue a distance learning program, or when trying to decide among different programs, the following are some questions you may want to consider:

• Do you find the course objectives suitable for you?
• Do you find the subjects interesting and matching your needs?
• Do you think the subject coverage matches the course objectives?
• How do you find the subject coverage of the course – adequate, too extensive, too narrow?
• Do you think the course duration is just right, too short, or too long to cover the subjects? Does it allow you time for private study and research?
• Can you commit yourself to that length of time for study?
• Do you find the mode of delivery suitable for you?
• Is the total number of teaching/study hours excessive or too small bearing in mind the subject coverage?
• Do you find the fee reasonable? What are included in the fees?
• What are the payment arrangements and refund arrangement? Have you read the refund policy? Are they reasonable?
• Is the course being offered elsewhere besides Hong Kong?
• Do you think with your academic background and other experience you will be able to cope with the studies?
• Do you have the necessary language proficiency to cope with the course?
• In cases where you barely meet the entry requirements or have left schools for a considerable period of time, do you think you need to take some bridging subjects before the course starts? And are any of those subjects available?
• How convenient is the teaching venue to you?
• Do you think you can cope with the assessment methods? Do you find the assessment methods appropriate for a course at this level?
• What is the role of the local organization?
• Are you confident with the local organization about the way assessment/examination is conducted?
• Does the course provide any distance learning/self-study materials? Are they adequate for the mode of delivery (for example where there is no or limited teaching)? Can you see samples of these materials?
• Do you have information on who will be teaching the course, and their qualifications and experience?
• Do you find the proportion of local and non-local staff teaching the course acceptable?
• Does the course have a local content which suits your needs?
• Do you think you need any course support? Is it available? Is there any access to home/local staff? By what means and how frequent and structured is this? Is there any supervision provided if you need to undertake research?
• What are the actual library facilities available in terms of size, service, collection, and other information links? Can you have access to the home institutions’ library collection? Are there sufficient research resources for you if you need to complete a project/dissertation?
• Where teaching, examination, and assessment are involved, are you confident that the local organization can perform effectively?
• Do you know whether the course is recognized and by whom?
• Do you know who are responsible for setting and marking course work and examinations? Are they home staff or local staff?
• Do you know which institution is awarding the qualification?
• Does the professional recognition, if any, meet your requirement?
• Does the qualification enable you to progress with your career?
• Does the qualification enable you to take up further studies in the same and other institutions?

Adapted from Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation's 1999-2000 Academic Programmes Guide: A guidebook on programs and courses of study offered in Hong Kong by non-local institutions.