Before you register for a distance education course, spend some time thinking about how you learn and when you would work on the course. Could you arrange a regular study time - twice a week once the kids are in bed? Could you work on it Saturday afternoon if everybody was out shopping? The advisors at OLA say that 12 to 15 hours a week per course is the standard amount of time to put aside. They also say that if you've never taken a distance education course before and you're not sure how you'll do, it's better to start with a subject that you like.

If you can find someone who's taken a distance education course, you might get an idea of what it was like from talking to them. Also you can call OLA's toll free number and ask to speak to an educational advisor.

Places offering distance education:

Open Learning Agency
(OLA, UBC, UVIC, SFU)
Mailing Address: Box 82080, Burnaby, V5C 6J8
Location: 4355 Mathissi Place, Burnaby, V5G 4S8
431-3000 1-800-663-1678 (Toll Free)

BC Institute of Technology (BCIT)
3700 Willingdon Ave. Burnaby, V5G 3H2
434-3304 1-800-667-0676 (Toll Free)

Some courses, especially in health sciences, are offered through distance education.

Okanagan College
1000 KLO Road, Kelowna, BC V1Y 4X8
762-5445

Emily Carr College of Art & Design
1399 Johnston Street, Granville Island
Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9
844-3830

Regional Correspondence Schools
Ministry of Education
This is a way to get your high school diploma for free by studying at home. The Adult Literacy Contact Centre can give you more information.
684-0624 (Vancouver)
1-800-663-1293 (Toll Free) *