Online Degree Courses: What Do Indian Students Think About It?

The year 2020 was difficult for everyone around the globe. Human civilization saw an impact both on a macroscopic as well as a microscopic level. While most industries suffered massive setbacks, Edtech was one of the industries that saw unprecedented growth. According to a report published by HolonIQ, the EdTech market saw a growth of 16.3% in 2020. As per another report by MarketsandMarkets, the EdTech market will reach $93.76 billion in 2023.

With an increased interest in online degree courses, we, at Shiksha, have adapted to this shift as well with Shiksha Online. To ensure that we have taken the right step, we conducted a survey with around 2000 students who were registered with Shiksha. This survey was conducted twice; first in 2021 and then in 2022. The end goal was to determine how Indian students perceive online degree courses. 

Through this survey, we have tried finding answers to the following questions related to online degree courses:

• Shift in students’ interest in online courses
• Shift in streamwise interest in online degree courses
• Top 3 advantages of online degree courses for students
• Top 3 concerns related to online degree courses for students
• What is the reaction of students to the fact that a majority of universities are now offering online degree courses?

Shift in Students’ Interest In Online Courses

Within the period of two years from 2021 to 2023, more students have shown interest in enrolling in online courses. The below-given bar chart concludes the following:

We can infer that as compared to the year 2021:

• There is a 27% increase in the number of students who want to enrol in online courses in 2023. 
• Awareness about online courses has increased in 2023. There has been a 7% increase in the number of students who are now aware of online courses.

Shift in Streamwise Interest

The survey was completed by students of different streams. These students were grouped and categorized into different streams. The majority of students who took the survey belonged to Commerce, Engineering, Design, Science, Management, and Technology domains. The above infographic shows the streamwise interest in online courses (in percentage). 

From the above infographic, it can be concluded that:

• Among all commerce students who took up the survey, 72% showed keen interest in taking up online courses. This data shows that as compared to other fields of study, commerce students are the most eager to take up online courses.
• With 68%, Design, and Science students have equally shown interest in enrolling in online courses.
• 66% of the students from the technology domain are interested in taking up online courses.

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What are the Top 3 Advantages For Students?

The following bar chart indicates the advantages of online courses. There are three colours that indicate the following:

• Red: Working professionals
• Blue: Students enrolled in online courses
• Mauve: Students pursuing full-time courses

63% of all respondents want to choose online courses due to easy access. These courses can be completed from anywhere due to which they are chosen by most respondents. Convenience and cheaper prices are the second and third important reasons for choosing online courses.

What are Top Concerns Related to Online Courses for Students?

The following bar chart indicates the concerns related to online courses for students. There are three colours that indicate the following:

• Blue: Working professionals
• Purple: Students enrolled in online courses
• Yellow: Students pursuing full-time courses

• According to the results of the survey, missing out on college experience is the number 1 reason for choosing full-time degree courses. 
• The second most common reason for choosing a full-time degree course is the lack of credibility of online courses.
• Fewer job prospects account as the third major reason for choosing full-time courses over online degree courses. 

What is your reaction to the fact that a majority of universities are now offering online degree courses?

• Compared to the year 2021, there has been a 12% decrease in the number of people who found full-time degree courses better than online degree courses. 
• There has been a 21% increase in the number of respondents who want to enrol in online courses offered by prestigious institutes.
• 16% of students want to opt for online courses in case they do not get admission to full-time programs.

How Incorporating Online Courses Will Benefit Institutes?

In 2023, more than 78 lakh students appeared for the 12th examination in India. While a number of students opted for higher education by taking admissions in colleges, many could not. Financial constraints, unconventional career choices, issues with moving cities to pursue higher education and the inability to score minimum marks may have been the preventive factors.

According to the 2017 KPMG report, people from the following age groups prefer online education due to the following reasons:

These students who do not have the capability to join a full-time program due to any constraints, choose online courses. Even working professionals enroll in online courses as it allows them to upgrade their skill set while working. Lesser price points, the convenience of remote access, and the self-paced nature make online courses very lucrative.

Incorporating online courses will help universities become more holistic for learners from every domain. Be it a student with inability to join a full-time course or be it a working professional with time constraints; online courses will help them.

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