| At one time a university degree offered a | | | | chemistry and mathematics. Engineering |
| competitive advantage. Today it has almost | | | | degrees are offered in electrical, civil, |
| become a necessity. We need specialised | | | | chemical and other disciplines of |
| knowledge and skills in order to survive and | | | | engineering. Arts degrees are offered in |
| a university education provides the basis. A | | | | music, religion, fashion design and a host of |
| university degree is not a single product. | | | | similar subjects. The social sciences degrees |
| There are numerous ways of classifying the | | | | include political science, law and sociology. |
| degrees on offer. The most common | | | | The list is virtually endless and includes |
| classification is based on the extent of | | | | information technology, business, healthcare |
| study required to obtain the degree. The | | | | and many more. The online university is |
| simplest degree is the Associate Degree. | | | | gaining popularity. The evolution of the |
| Unfortunately it does not have much worth. | | | | Internet technology with instantaneous |
| All it says that you did come here but did | | | | transmission, electronic data storage and |
| not get to first base. For all practical | | | | worldwide connectivity has powered the |
| purposes the first base is the Bachelor's | | | | proliferation of the online university. Its |
| Degree, which signifies the completion of | | | | major advantage is that the need to be |
| undergraduate studies. On completion of | | | | physically present on the university campus |
| postgraduate studies the Master's Degree is | | | | is done away with. It therefore also allows |
| awarded. Further studies and research results | | | | for a flexible study schedule. It is popular |
| in the Doctorate Degree, which is commonly | | | | with people who are already working, but need |
| known as the Ph.D. Acquisition of this degree | | | | the additional university degree to enhance |
| signifies that one has reached the cutting | | | | their employment potential. They cannot leave |
| edge of knowledge. Another way of classifying | | | | their jobs and would be uncomfortable in the |
| a university degree is according the stream | | | | physical presence of much younger students. |
| of knowledge. There are science degrees | | | | The online university has come to stay. |
| offered in subjects such as physics, | | | | |