10 Surprising Benefits of Online Learning

Whether you want to learn a language, strengthen a specific technical skill, or earn a full academic degree, you have an abundance of options to learn online. In fact, more students have been taking advantage of online education in recent years. The number of online learners is projected to be 309.1 million in India by 2029, and the revenue from online education should grow by 25.76 percent annually between 2025 and 2029 [1].

Online learning is a popular alternative to in-person learning because it can remove major educational barriers, making it more equitable and accessible. Read on to delve deeper into the benefits of learning online so you can determine whether it's the best option for you.

10 benefits you gain from learning online 

You can experience several significant benefits from online learning. A few are as follows: 

1. You don’t have to relocate or commute.

With online learning, the classroom comes to you. No matter what type of credential you’re interested in achieving—degree, Professional Certificate, or qualification—you can access some of the most renowned educational institutions or industry leaders online. What’s more, borders don’t limit your opportunities. You can find programmes across the country or even across the globe without having to factor in relocation costs to study elsewhere. 

Many colleges and universities also require students to pay parking fees to access campus, which can be costly. But with an online programme, you won’t have to worry about that additional cost or the cost of commuting. 

2. You can choose your learning space. 

Whether you’re learning synchronously or asynchronously online, you don’t have to worry about the hurdles of getting to class. All you have to do is turn on your computer. That may be a more comfortable option, especially if it means you don’t have to carry books, a laptop, or other necessities around. Instead, you’ll have what you need right in front of you.

Tip: If you’re learning from home, create a dedicated learning space—whether that’s the corner of a room or the corner of a table—so that it’s easier to shift into learning mode when it comes time to sit down and study

3. You can keep working whilst enrolled. 

Many students work part-time or full-time whilst attending college or completing other programmes designed to enhance their education or skill set. However, the rigid scheduling of many in-person programmes can make it challenging to balance professional and educational obligations. 

With online learning, courses often offer more flexibility, making it easier to work them into your work schedule. That way, you don’t have to put your professional life on hold whilst you pursue your education. 

4. You can build upon skills you already have—or learn something entirely new.

You can change your entire career trajectory from your couch. Thanks to the range of courses, certificate programmes, tutorials, and more designed to teach you timely, career-relevant skills, you don’t have to go far to make a big change. Given that kind of focus, you also don’t have to spend time learning something you don’t need. 

Beyond a career change, you can strengthen your existing skill set by taking similar offerings designed to teach you a specific workplace or technical skill that will help you advance. And you’re not limited to the course catalogue of any particular school—the options for online learning are nearly endless. 

5. You can learn from top universities or industry-leading companies. 

Many prestigious colleges and universities in India and worldwide, including the Indian Institute of Technology, now offer online degree options. An online degree from a major institution typically has the same value as one you earned in person and may even expose you to more rigorous coursework or skills development. For example, on Coursera, you can find degrees from BITS Pilani, IIT Roorkee, OP Jindal Global University, and more. 

In addition to universities, many major companies now offer programmes designed to help you learn a new aspect of a career—or bolster your skill set. Google, IBM, Meta, and Salesforce all offer Professional Certificates on Coursera. These focused programmes can be an excellent way to expand your industry knowledge or get started in a new field. 

6. The schedule tends to be flexible and you can learn at your own pace.

Online learning structures vary, but courses usually offer more flexibility than in-person classes, which means you can access your programme on your own time and, more often than not, work at your own pace. Studying takes time, so when you can fit it into your schedule rather than adjust your schedule around your learning, it may create the flexibility you need to establish an education plan that works for you. 

7. You might save money compared to in-person learning. 

Beyond tuition and fees, you must consider the various costs associated with attending college or university—or a workshop, course, or certificate programme—in person. With online learning, you tend to benefit from lower overall costs because there’s less overhead associated with operating each programme. You can also benefit from initiatives like PM e-VIDYA, DIKSHA, and SWAYAM Prabha TV by the Government of India, aimed at enhancing digital accessibility and inclusivity. 

8. You can choose between self-paced and accelerated options.

Thanks to the pace you can often set with your online coursework and the growing spate of accelerated degree programmes, it may be possible to complete an online education faster because you can move through courses more rapidly instead of waiting for a new lesson each week. 

9. You can engage with a global peer network. 

Diversity yields greater perspectives and insights. Thanks to the global availability of online learning, you may find yourself enrolled alongside students from around the world, fostering broader, more diverse opinions and knowledge. Moreover, depending on your programme, you may be able to engage with your classmates as much as you want. Use the resources available in your programme to connect with other students, or maybe even start a virtual club to help them stay in touch or keep each other on track. 

10. You may strengthen critical transferable skills.

When you learn online, you can bolster your subject knowledge and hone transferable skills like communication, critical thinking, adaptability, and more. Specifically, learning online often requires more significant time management and self-discipline because you are responsible for logging in to complete your lesson rather than following an in-person class schedule that dictates where and when you should be. When you learn online, you also sharpen your ability to work independently or without supervision, a valued skill amongst employers. 

Next steps

Online learning offers a wealth of advantages, including added flexibility, possible cost savings, and increased accessibility. You won’t be limited to the institutions in your geographic location. Instead, you’ll be able to choose from some of India’s finest educational institutions and others across the globe. Explore an array of academic options on Coursera, including bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees from leading universities around the world. To gain career-ready skills, check out a Professional Certificate in computer science or IT, data science, business, or marketing.

Alternatively, check out many free courses, like the popular The Science of Well-Being from Yale University, which examines the nature of happiness, or something more career-focused, like Introduction to User Experience Design from Georgia Tech.