Oscail, the National Distance Education Centre at DCU, offers opportunities for adult learners throughout Ireland and beyond to gain degree qualifications through flexible, self-paced study.

AONTAS believes that distance learning is another option for adults returning to learning yet it is not without its own set of challenges.

23% of adult learners contacting the AONTAS Information Referral Service in 2008 indicated that they found it difficult to work in isolation and struggled to stay conntected and motivated whilst engaging in distance learning.

In 2008, AONTAS engaged in a public consultation process with the HEA on Open and Distance Learning. This submission focused on the opportunities for the further development of ODL in the Irish higher-education sector and as a result AONTAS recommended that Open and Distance Learning in Ireland should demonstrate a number of key features:

• Flexibility
• Adequate financial supports
• Excellent tutor support
• Access to information and library systems
• Technical support
• Good quality information on choices and accreditation
• Educational and career guidance support
• Networking and communication systems for students
• Quality assured courses

Oscail, the National Distance Education Centre at DCU, offers opportunities for adult learners throughout Ireland and beyond to gain degree qualifications through flexible, self-paced study.

Oscail’s mission is to provide adults with access to higher education regardless of location, employment, personal circumstances, or prior qualifications. Established in 1982, Oscail has over twenty years’ experience of helping students to achieve their goals. Thousands of students have completed a degree or diploma  with Oscail.

Oscail is currently offering some postgraduate programmes under the Labour Market Activation Scheme.