![Sample our Education journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5932/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Education.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
Online distance-learning (ODL) programmes in higher education enable students to remain in their domicile country to study with institutions based in other countries. ODL students can find themselves studying with others from many different countries, adding greater heterogeneity of personal, environmental and cultural perspectives compared with on-campus education. This is likely to impact the learners’ experience in different ways. The current research examined the experience of students living outside of the European Union, who were registered with an ODL programme with a higher education institution based in the European Union. The research identified a number of important factors that influenced the students’ experience in different ways. The results emphasise the need for ODL programmes to fully consider individual students’ contexts, regardless of where they are in the world, and for these needing to be embedded in a pedagogical framework that gives due consideration to globally diverse cohorts of students.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Roger A Harrison
Dr Roger A Harrison has extensive experience running online distance learning programmes in higher education, specifically in health-related disciplines. He is actively involved with quality assurance, research and development across higher education, predominantly in the UK.
Annie Harrison
Ms Annie Harrison lectures on the value and contribution of arts and creativity to population health.
Christine Robinson
Dr Christine Robinson lectures on the topic of qualitative research methods in population health.
Barbara Rawlings
Dr Barbara Rawlings is a research consultant with expertise leading projects in health, welfare and social care in different countries.