5 Tips to Earn Your Nursing Degree Online

Author: Amelia Turner
Nursing careers are very rewarding and challenging nowadays with the conjunction of the high demand of nurses in various fields outside the hospital settings. For those who are interested to join the field, you are required to have the nursing qualification to start your nursing career. As more and more nursing degrees are offered online, earning a degree in nursing never been easier with those online degree programs. But, there are a few factors that you need to take into consideration when selecting an online nursing degree program to enroll with. Here are the 5 tips to help you:

Tip #1: Determine Your State Requirement

Although you can earn a nursing degree online, every state has it own requirement for nurses. So, when you search for a nursing degree that fit your needs, you also need to take into account the requirement for nurse of your state or the state that you plan to start your nursing career with. Before you enroll into the online nursing degree program, be sure that the school you choose is an acceptable institution for your state requirements. This is particularly important for preparing for the NCLEX examination, which is required for state certification before you can start your nursing career after graduation.

Tip #2: Find Out How Clinical Experience Is Arranged

Most online nursing degrees require clinical experience which needs to be conducted at a health care facility. Hence, before you enroll into the nursing program, find out from the school on the arrangement of your clinical experience if this is necessary for your degree. Some schools require you to complete your clinical experience at the school, while other schools may have special arrangement with other health care facilities close to your home or workplace. You may want to consider the school that allows you to complete your clinical experience at your convenient distance if long distance travel is a concern to you.

Tip #3: Decide Your Degree Requirement

There are many nursing degree programs available online, each degree program may contain difference courses or it may comes with different specialization. Depending on your nursing career goal, you may need a specific type of nursing program. Hence, before you start to search for online nursing degree programs, decide your degree requirement first. Then, find the schools that offer the nursing degree that meet your degree requirement. After that, you should request the program details from those schools.

Tip #4: Compare Schools

Once you receive the details information from your selected schools that offer you preference nursing degree, compare those schools in term of support system, online learning system, faculty, class size, courses and the program costs. Then, select the one the best suits your needs.

Tip #5: Be Ready To Be A Successful Online Student

Once you decide to earn your nursing degree online, you should prepare yourself to adapt to online learning environment so that you can complete the degree program successfully. Be aware that online nursing program provides you with a convenient and flexible learning environment, but it does not mean that you can earn the degree easier than the traditional classroom-based program. Hence, you must set you mindset correctly and be ready to be a successful online student.

Earning a Nursing Degree Online - Advantages & Considerations

Author:Amelia Turner
Nowadays, going to classes at college is not the only way to earn your nursing degree. Online education is an alternative where you can earn a nursing credential from anywhere you like and at the time when it's most convenient to you. Earning a nursing degree online has many advantages over the traditional learning setting, but there are a few considerations that you must look into before sign-up an online nursing degree program.

Advantages of Pursuing Nursing Degree Online

1. Choose Your Major Regardless of Location Concern

Nursing degrees come with various specializations, but your preference major may not being offered at the nursing college near to your place. You found the nursing degree program with the specialization that you like to major with, is offered by a college at another state or at the college located far way from your convenient travel distance. But, lucky the college does offer it nursing degree online. You can become their online student to sign the nursing degree with your preference major.

2. Flexible Study Time from Anywhere

You can plan your study schedule and log-on to the classes from anywhere as long as you are at a location that has internet connection. Flexible study time from anywhere is the key advantage that will benefit those working individuals who want to earn a nursing degree without giving up their paycheck. Many people have a desire to enter the nursing field, which is a very rewarding and challenging career field, but they are unable to give up their current job to go back to school due to family & other obligations. Online education with it advantages in term of flexibility learning option will enable them to continue their current life while realizing their nursing career goal. This advantage will also benefit those working individuals who need to travel a lot due to their job assignment; they can log-on to the classes from where they are.

Considerations When Taking Nursing Degree Online

Although you can earn a nursing degree online, there are a few considerations you must take into account before you sign up your degree of choice:

1. The Nursing Program Meets Your State Requirement

Each state has it own requirement for nurses, you must make sure that the online nursing degree program that you are going to enroll is a nursing program that is recognized by your state. This is particularly important for preparing for the NCLEX examination, which is required for state certification before you can start your nursing career after graduation.

2. Clinical / Lab Work Facilities

Most nursing degree programs will require you to complete a certain lab or clinical assignments before you can earn the degree. Some nursing schools will require you to complete the clinical experience at the school while other may have co-operation with other health care facilities which may locate near you place to ease you in completing your clinical experience. If traveling to the school is not convenient to you, then you must consider those schools that offer online nursing degree program which can allow you to complete the clinical experience locally.

3. Be Prepare To Be An Online Student

Online learning is different from classroom-based learning style. Most materials are in text format and you must have good reading and writing comprehension. Self-motivation is another key factor that will determine the success or the failure of an online student. If you choose to earn your nursing degree online, you must prepare yourself to face the challenges in your online study and be a successful online student.

Earn a nursing degree online has many advantages that can benefit you, but at the same time, you must consider a few important factors to ensure you can successful earn a degree that can help in your nursing career.

Associate Degrees and Their Benefits

Author: Tammy Greene
An associate degree can be defined as the academic degree offered by community, business and junior colleges upon completion of a course, which is normally of two years duration. The acquisition of associate degrees has made the task of pursuing higher education a lot easier. Individuals can increase their chances of attaining a good job rather quickly by simply earning an associate degree.

A good thing about associate degrees is that you get plenty of choices in terms of subjects. To earn an associate degree, you will need a minimum of 60 credit hours. Training in general education requirements and major requirements are given in associate degree programs. Some of the most popular associate degree subjects are mentioned below:

1. Associates degree in Computer Programming
2. Associates degree in Web Design
3. Associates degree in Business
4. Associates degree in Marketing
5. Associates degree in Criminal Justice
6. Associates degree in Arts & Humanities
7. Associates degree in Social Sciences

Types of Associate Degrees

Associate degrees are of two types, namely, transfer degrees and career degrees. Examples of transfer degrees are Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Fine Arts and Associate of Arts in Teaching. On the other hand, examples of career degrees are Associate in Applied Science, Associate in Industrial Technology, Associate in Business Administration and Associate in Occupational Studies. You can categorize associate degrees on the basis of liberal arts requirements.

Online Associate Degree Programs

With the rise of online education, numerous students prefer acquiring online degrees (http://www.onlineedublog.com/) instead of going for traditional programs. Same is the case with associate degrees, where most of the students have turned to online education to acquire their degrees. Online associate degrees are the same as traditional degrees, the difference being that you can complete the course at your own pace in an online associate degree program.

You do not need to attend the lectures and as a matter of fact, you can study by simply downloading all the audio and video lectures and study materials. Online associate degree programs give you the freedom to work while earning a degree. But this will only happen when you manage to find the right online university which provides accredited online associates degrees.

Benefits of Online Associate Degrees

There are several benefits of acquiring online associate degrees. Some of them are:

1. Affordable: Online associate degree programs are cheaper as compared to traditional degree programs. Attending college for a period of four year is quite a costly affair. Students get into a debt of $50,000 or more when earning a college degree. This is not the case when you earn an online associate degree program from one of the numerous online colleges & universities, as you can earn the degree while working somewhere on a part-time or even on full-time basis.

2. More attractive to employers: You may not believe at first but, it is 100% correct that employers give preference to students who have earned associate degrees. When students earn an associate degree even if it is an online associate degree, it increases their knowledge base, and we all know that employers love hiring individuals that are highly qualified and knowledgeable.

3. Less committing: The best part about an online associate degree is that it does not bind you to a particular subject or line of work. By opting for associate degree program, students get the chance to earn a degree that can come in real handy in terms of earning advanced degrees in various other subjects in the future. By enrolling in associate degree program, you can shape your career on the basis of your interest.

With all of these benefits, the acquisition of an online associate degree is even more desirable for individuals who wish to give their careers a head start and even those who simply wish to acquire more knowledge and attain a degree.

A Brief Introduction to Online B.A Degree

Author:Tammy Greene
An online Bachelor of Arts degree can open new windows of opportunities for you. As you may know, it is almost an unwritten norm in both the public and private sector that all the key positions are offered to people with a solid degree which certifies that “they know”. There are literally hundreds of online university or college that offer online degree in Bachelor of Arts. It can be obtained in any non-quantitative academic subject, and is awarded to students with high school or equivalent. Students completing their B.A degree can also go for master’s degree such as M.A. To earn a B.A degree, you will need at least 120 semester credits, spread evenly between core requirements and general education.

Who Should Earn an Online B.A degree?
Online B.A degree is tailor made for mid-career professionals who care to enhance their academic profile during off-hours. It is interesting to note that a large numbers of young students are also registering in online B.A degree program after graduating from high school. Students who have completed online associate’s degrees are also opting for a B.A degree through the World Wide Web.

To attain success, online students need to work independently and they must be motivated. This is important, because almost all online B.A degree coursework contains independent study. If the student is not good in English comprehension and writing, it is advisable that they brush up their knowledge of English language because most of the leading universities use English as their primary communication medium, or else the prospective student would encounter serious difficulty during the course of study.

School Accreditation:
When selecting a college/university for online B.A degree, students have to be very careful about the accreditation of the online college or university they wish to enroll in. It is advisable that you do not waste money on a fake “diploma mills” degree, which is just a worthless piece of paper. If you want your online B.A degree to be accepted by other colleges and employers, make sure that you are earning your online B.A degree from an online college which is accredited by the appropriate regional or national board.

Try to register in a college, which is accredited by the Distance Education Training Council. Most of the employers accept online B.A degree from Distance Education Training Council. However, it has been noticed that you cannot transfer these credits to other colleges. If you are not sure of whether the college/university you have chosen for your online B.A degree is accredited or not, just visit the website of Department of Education and you will get the answer.

What else to look for in an online B.A degree program?
Apart from proper accreditation, make sure that your online college provides you with an opportunity to speak with a counselor who can assist you in making a course plan for successfully completing your B.A degree. Another important thing that you must do before enrolling in an online B.A degree program is to somehow get an idea of the retention rate of your college, this can tell you it a lot about the quality and service provided by the chosen university.

In addition, also make sure that the college you have chosen to complete your online B.A degree is running this program for a period of more than five years. Try to talk to former students of the college and see what they say about their experience. Last but surely not the least, check the academic record of the faculty members. Because there is no point enrolling in a college where faculty members are not that qualified and experienced.

5 Things You Know For Selection Of Online Marketing Degree

Author:Alex Bellweather
It is important for you to select the career in the field of marketing to get the better choice in the competitive world. There is a good opportunities in different field to get the proper requirement of marketing degree. You must have to get the opportunities in retail, sales; product promotion, public relations, advertising, and market research. It is important for you to select the suitable field for the career.

1. Many marketing programs can obtain through the various accredited universities, colleges and institute. It is important to get the online degree based on needs.

2. There are many types of marketing degree available in the market like Bachelor of Science in Business and Marketing, Master of Business Administration, Associate of Arts, Associate of Science degree etc. It is important to select the suitable degree as per your needs.

3. There are many graduates, undergraduate and diploma programs are available on online to get the marketing degrees programs.

4. It is important for you to evaluate the degree programs for looking at the degree programs as per your needs. It must be suitable to your carrier goal so that you are able to select the programs according to your needs.

5. You must have to look at the scope and opportunities exist in the specific field. It is important for you to visit different college website and see the program details to get the ideal suitable programs. In the present day many people select the suitable career in the advertising and promotion field to get better opportunities.

4 Tips For Students Who Join The Online Associates Degree Programs

Author:Alix Bellweather
There are many associate degree programs offers good job opportunities as well as suitable placement after completion of associate degree courses. It is important for you to complete the programs systematically to get the benefits of the online associate degree programs.

1. Once you join the online degree programs than you must have to refer forum posted on the college website. It is important for you to get the idea about the latest development in the education.

2. You also need to refer the bulletin board updated on the daily basis. It is important for you to visit the college website on daily basis.

3. You also need to chat with your classmates via messenger. You can also send email for details communication. Participation with the group of students is one of the important tasks for you because you are aware about the development programs.

4. You should also participate in the online discussion group to get the idea about the scope of the programs. It is important for you to discussion with staffs to get an idea.

It is one of the important tasks for you to select the proper degree programs. It is essential for you to get the suitable degree as per your needs. You can also prepare notes on the development of the programs.

How to Identify a Diploma Mill

Author:Amelia Turner
A diploma mill is an organization that offers education certifications, diplomas or degrees which require little or no academic study. The degrees offered by diploma mills are "fake" degrees which are not recognized in the job market. You may not just having trouble to utilize the degree in helping in your career, it may caught you into a law sue case if employers encounter you are holding a "fake" degree to apply for their job vacancy and if they take a legal action against you.

It's not worth to risk your future by getting a degree from diploma mill. You must avoid these diploma mills with your best effort, but sometimes it's hard to differential between legitimate education institution and diploma mill. Below are a few tips to help you identify if an education organization is potentially a diploma mill.

1. Be Highly Alert On the Accreditation Information

Nowadays, not only legitimate schools claim accreditation, diploma mills also promote their education programs with accreditation attached. So, by just knowing that the school of your selected education program is accredited may not enough to ensure you are getting a legitimate degree. You should be more details to find out which accrediting agency that perform the accrediting process on the school. Then, compare the accrediting agency information with the accreditation database that can be found at the website of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), make sure that you find the accrediting agency listed in CHEA database. Be more careful about the accrediting agency name, bogus accrediting agency that accredits diploma mills may register with very similar name to a legitimate accrediting agency.

2. The School Address Uses P.O. Box

Although online universities that offer their degree programs 100% online, the online universities must have the physical address where their offices are located. If you see the universities only publish their address as P.O. Box address, then it should trigger a red flag to you.

3. Unrealistically Short Program Time

You can obtain a degree at diploma mills in a short amount of time, under a month or even in a few days from the time of enrollment. While at legitimate online colleges and universities, can award degrees in less time than traditional classroom-based schools, an unrealistically short program time for a degree is fraudulent.

4. You Can Obtain A Degree Solely Based On Life Experience

Although legitimate online universities may award some credit for well-documented "life experience", you will not be able to earn a degree solely based on "life experience"; but at diploma mill, you can easily get a degree just with your "life experience". This sign should clearly trigger a red flag, avoid it totally.

5. Diploma Mills Charge Tuition Fee on a Per-Degree Basis

Legitimate online colleges and universities normally charge their tuition fee on a per-semester, per-quarter, per-course or per-credit basis, which is different from what most diploma mills charge in per-degree basis. This is a sure sign of a degree mill.

It is not worth to risk your future by getting a degree from diploma mill. Although sometime it's hard to identify a diploma mill, but if you review a school and their degree program more carefully and be aware about the diploma mill's signs, you should be able to avoid it.

5 Tips to Effectively Signposting your Essays

Author:Neil Carter
When you are a student in academia chances are you have to write lots of different essays and papers for submission that are persuasive, show evidence of gathering data and have some analytical thinking behind your writing. However, you will also want to link your writing for your readers so that they can follow your cohesive argument throughout your essay or paper, not doing so can cause confusion to the reader and influence them to become uninterested in your work and your arguments.

Tip 1 – Keep it Simple
There is no point confusing your reader in your introduction with what you will be talking about in your conclusion and listing nearly every point that you want to discuss in your paper. This will just cause more confusion. You will want to direct your reader through the essay allowing them to become aware of your train of thought and direction.
Tip 2 – Introduce each area
Introducing what you are going to be talking about in each key area of your work is crucial, as you will need to acknowledge to the reader that it is something that they will want to read in that particular section. It also ‘sets the scene’ for what the reader is about to learn and read during the next section of your work.

Tip 3 – Evaluate sections
Reviewing what you have just written about allows your reader to understand the information you have just put before them. It also allows you to get the reader ready for the next step of your argument in the paper which is vital – linking your paper together is what makes a great and well structured argumentative essay.

Tip 4 – Piece together theories you have previously mentioned
Referring to a previously mentioned theory in your paper is a clear sign to the reader that you have concentrated heavily on the research and writing of your paper. It shows that you understand not only the research topic, but your paper as a whole and bring cohesion and understanding.

Tip 5 – Always remind and guide your reader
Readers forget things as quickly as they have read them, unless you actually point something of importance out to them. You will need to remind a reader throughout your paper about a certain theory or train of though by referring back to instances, or examples that extrapolate your meaning and aids reader understanding.

The main things to remember when making sure your work is leading from one area/section to the next is that your reader is prepare for what they are about to read. Of course, you should always get an experienced person or peer to check over your work too.

Online Degrees for a Better Future

Author: Tammy Greene
he whole education scenario has changed with the advent of the Internet. What was previously known as ‘Distance Education’ has now gained popularity as "Online Education". The method of eLearning and teaching has improved so much in the field of online education that it is now comparable to traditional college education.

Earning Online Education Degrees

You can earn online degrees from a wide array of sources. However, it is advisable that you earn online degrees from accredited colleges and universities because employers all around the world only accept degrees from institutions that are recognized and accredited.

There are numerous benefits of studying online, especially if you do not have time to attend regular classes. In an online education program, you are not required to attend classes on a regular basis. When you enroll for traditional college education, you have to work on the basis of a pre-set timetable and a lot of time is required for you to commute to college everyday. This is not the case with online education where you can study at your own pace. Another good thing about eLearning is that you can study from the comfort of your home through the Internet.

Advancing Your Career with an Online Degree

If your main objective is to advance your career with an online degree, then it is quite important that you select a reputed online college or university. There is no point in earning an online degree from an institution whose degree is not recognized by employers. Rather than taking a quick decision, take your time, research well and then decide which online institution you wish to enroll at. Some important factors that you must take into account are mentioned below.

• Cost: Fees structure of the online university
• Eligibility criteria
• How many exams you need to appear in so as to earn the degree
• Attendance: How many hours a week are you required to study
• Study material: Check whether the university is going to provide you with study material or not
• Qualification and experience of faculty members

There are plenty of students who require an online degree just to enter extra credentials in their resume. If you are one of those, opt for an online university where the attendance requirement is not strict and fees structure is not too costly. On the other hand, if you are earning a degree to learn some concepts and skills, then select an online university where the faculty members are highly qualified and experienced. You are not going to learn anything until and unless your faculty members are knowledgeable.

Whichever online university you choose for your online education, make sure that it is accredited or else you would simply waste your time and money. You can improve your income potential by earning an accredited online degree and can also change your career field through eLearning. For example, if you are not happy with your present job of being a journalist and want to enter in the field of retail, you can easily do that by earning an online degree in business.

Hence, online education is beneficial for all. Individuals can now easily attain their degree without having to give up on their jobs or cutting down on the time they spend with their family. But whichever online institution you choose, you need to ascertain its accreditation and legitimacy.

How to Compare Online Universities

Author: Amelia Turner
1. Compare Online Universities Accreditation

I believe you have seen the word "accreditation" mentioned in many online education guides and articles. It's the most important factor to consider when comparing online universities. If you earn a degree from an online university with regional accreditation, your degree will be accepted widely in the job market, and it helps you to have easier time finding jobs after graduation. You may want to continue to a higher education in the future, which you most probably will use your degree to apply for graduate programs, and a degree from an accredited online university will enable you to transfer your credit easier because these online degrees are accepted by most schools.

2. Compare Online Universities Residency Requirements

Not all online degree programs are offered 100% online, some universities requires their online students to attend a certain hours of physical classes on campus; others may require once a week for group meeting among students on group coursework discussion, or perform their lab work at school. Hence, when comparing online universities, you need to consider the residency requirements that best fit your schedule especially if you are a working individual or traveling to campus is a concern to you.

3. Compare Online Study Schedules

Although one of the key features of online education program is "flexible schedule", but not all online universities allow you a full flexibility to study at your own pace, you may need to meet strict deadlines, or you are required to logon to the online classes at a fixed time to attend real-time learning sessions. If you are a working individual who have un-fixed working hours or a frequent traveler for job assignment, then you may prioritize on the online universities that allow you to study fully at your own pace.

4. Compare How Online Universities Carry Out Examination

There are online universities allow students to complete course exams entirely online, with open-book tests, while others may require their students to attend the exams at a proctored testing center. If you prefer to take open-book examination, then online universities that need you to attend closed-book tests might not be the best option for you.

5. Compare Online Universities Admission Requirements

Each online university has it own admission requirements; some schools have a very lengthy application process that require you to attend interviews, writing an essay or get a recommendation letter for your admission application, while others may have simple and easy admission process. When comparing these online universities, you need to ensure you are able to meet the admission requirements before you submit your application.

How to Get Into a Great College

Author: Peter M Jones
Beginning the college process can be a little daunting task because there is no fixed formula for getting into college and moreover, whatever combination of courses one studied at high school makes no difference in the success rate of getting admission to your dream school. Grades, SAT/ACT scores, and class rank are certainly looked into, but while doing well in all three may be enough to get you into some schools, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll get into all your choices. In fact, even students with perfect SAT scores and straight A's are sometimes denied admission by some of the more elite colleges and universities. Here are some tips that'll help you navigate the admissions process and succeed in your application.

You must know that selective colleges have more qualified applicants than their limit. This is where extracurricular activities come into play. In fact, extracurricular activities can often tilt the decision in your favor when compared to other students with equivalent grades/test scores but without much in the way of activities because they demonstrate your motivation and time-management skills. You should remember to inform college if pursuing academics and an after-school job or any other extenuating circumstances. According to The Princeton Review, highly selective schools generally place emphasis than average on a good essay. The essay questions on college applications are usually very open-ended, so it is prudent to talk about your experience or aspect of you or your life that was particularly meaningful.

Awards or other recognitions and achievements can weigh into your application's consideration. Be sure to inform them if you have achieved any because good colleges and universities look for leaders and achievers and not just academic performers.

Recommendations of your teachers and counselors do matter. Get a letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor who thinks you're brilliant and include it with your application packet. Similarly, if a family member went to your college of choice, you may receive (not necessarily) some preferential consideration in admissions and this could count even more if more than one family member attended the college.

Most importantly, start planning early to get into the schools you want. Do your reasearch, collect updated information on the most sought-after colleges and universities and their admission criterias in advance. There are many online resource guides (like www.allaboutuni.com) that assists high school students in selecting a college.

Earning a Nursing Degree Online - Advantages & Considerations

Author: Amelia Turner
Nowadays, going to classes at college is not the only way to earn your nursing degree. Online education is an alternative where you can earn a nursing credential from anywhere you like and at the time when it's most convenient to you. Earning a nursing degree online has many advantages over the traditional learning setting, but there are a few considerations that you must look into before sign-up an online nursing degree program.

Advantages of Pursuing Nursing Degree Online

1. Choose Your Major Regardless of Location Concern

Nursing degrees come with various specializations, but your preference major may not being offered at the nursing college near to your place. You found the nursing degree program with the specialization that you like to major with, is offered by a college at another state or at the college located far way from your convenient travel distance. But, lucky the college does offer it nursing degree online. You can become their online student to sign the nursing degree with your preference major.

2. Flexible Study Time from Anywhere

You can plan your study schedule and log-on to the classes from anywhere as long as you are at a location that has internet connection. Flexible study time from anywhere is the key advantage that will benefit those working individuals who want to earn a nursing degree without giving up their paycheck. Many people have a desire to enter the nursing field, which is a very rewarding and challenging career field, but they are unable to give up their current job to go back to school due to family & other obligations. Online education with it advantages in term of flexibility learning option will enable them to continue their current life while realizing their nursing career goal. This advantage will also benefit those working individuals who need to travel a lot due to their job assignment; they can log-on to the classes from where they are.

Considerations When Taking Nursing Degree Online

Although you can earn a nursing degree online, there are a few considerations you must take into account before you sign up your degree of choice:

1. The Nursing Program Meets Your State Requirement

Each state has it own requirement for nurses, you must make sure that the online nursing degree program that you are going to enroll is a nursing program that is recognized by your state. This is particularly important for preparing for the NCLEX examination, which is required for state certification before you can start your nursing career after graduation.

2. Clinical / Lab Work Facilities

Most nursing degree programs will require you to complete a certain lab or clinical assignments before you can earn the degree. Some nursing schools will require you to complete the clinical experience at the school while other may have co-operation with other health care facilities which may locate near you place to ease you in completing your clinical experience. If traveling to the school is not convenient to you, then you must consider those schools that offer online nursing degree program which can allow you to complete the clinical experience locally.

3. Be Prepare To Be An Online Student

Online learning is different from classroom-based learning style. Most materials are in text format and you must have good reading and writing comprehension. Self-motivation is another key factor that will determine the success or the failure of an online student. If you choose to earn your nursing degree online, you must prepare yourself to face the challenges in your online study and be a successful online student.

Earn a nursing degree online has many advantages that can benefit you, but at the same time, you must consider a few important factors to ensure you can successful earn a degree that can help in your nursing career.

A Brief Introduction to Online B.A Degree

Author: Tammy Greene
An online Bachelor of Arts degree can open new windows of opportunities for you. As you may know, it is almost an unwritten norm in both the public and private sector that all the key positions are offered to people with a solid degree which certifies that “they know”. There are literally hundreds of online university or college that offer online degree in Bachelor of Arts. It can be obtained in any non-quantitative academic subject, and is awarded to students with high school diploma or equivalent. Students completing their B.A degree can also go for master’s degree such as M.A. To earn a B.A degree, you will need at least 120 semester credits, spread evenly between core requirements and general education.

Who Should Earn an Online B.A degree?
Online B.A degree is tailor made for mid-career professionals who care to enhance their academic profile during off-hours. It is interesting to note that a large numbers of young students are also registering in online B.A degree program after graduating from high school. Students who have completed online associate’s degrees are also opting for a B.A degree through the World Wide Web.

To attain success, online students need to work independently and they must be motivated. This is important, because almost all online B.A degree coursework contains independent study. If the student is not good in English comprehension and writing, it is advisable that they brush up their knowledge of English language because most of the leading universities use English as their primary communication medium, or else the prospective student would encounter serious difficulty during the course of study.

School Accreditation:
When selecting a college/university for online B.A degree, students have to be very careful about the accreditation of the online college or university they wish to enroll in. It is advisable that you do not waste money on a fake “diploma mills” degree, which is just a worthless piece of paper. If you want your online B.A degree to be accepted by other colleges and employers, make sure that you are earning your online B.A degree from an online college which is accredited by the appropriate regional or national board.

Try to register in a college, which is accredited by the Distance Education Training Council. Most of the employers accept online B.A degree from Distance Education Training Council. However, it has been noticed that you cannot transfer these credits to other colleges. If you are not sure of whether the college/university you have chosen for your online B.A degree is accredited or not, just visit the website of Department of Education and you will get the answer.

What else to look for in an online B.A degree program?
Apart from proper accreditation, make sure that your online college provides you with an opportunity to speak with a counselor who can assist you in making a course plan for successfully completing your B.A degree. Another important thing that you must do before enrolling in an online B.A degree program is to somehow get an idea of the retention rate of your college, this can tell you it a lot about the quality and service provided by the chosen university.

In addition, also make sure that the college you have chosen to complete your online B.A degree is running this program for a period of more than five years. Try to talk to former students of the college and see what they say about their experience. Last but surely not the least, check the academic record of the faculty members. Because there is no point enrolling in a college where faculty members are not that qualified and experienced.

How to Identify a Diploma Mill

Author: Amelia Turner
A diploma mill is an organization that offers education certifications, diplomas or degrees which require little or no academic study. The degrees offered by diploma mills are "fake" degrees which are not recognized in the job market. You may not just having trouble to utilize the degree in helping in your career, it may caught you into a law sue case if employers encounter you are holding a "fake" degree to apply for their job vacancy and if they take a legal action against you.

It's not worth to risk your future by getting a degree from diploma mill. You must avoid these diploma mills with your best effort, but sometimes it's hard to differential between legitimate education institution and diploma mill. Below are a few tips to help you identify if an education organization is potentially a diploma mill.

1. Be Highly Alert On the Accreditation Information

Nowadays, not only legitimate schools claim accreditation, diploma mills also promote their education programs with accreditation attached. So, by just knowing that the school of your selected education program is accredited may not enough to ensure you are getting a legitimate degree. You should be more details to find out which accrediting agency that perform the accrediting process on the school. Then, compare the accrediting agency information with the accreditation database that can be found at the website of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), make sure that you find the accrediting agency listed in CHEA database. Be more careful about the accrediting agency name, bogus accrediting agency that accredits diploma mills may register with very similar name to a legitimate accrediting agency.

2. The School Address Uses P.O. Box

Although online universities that offer their degree programs 100% online, the online universities must have the physical address where their offices are located. If you see the universities only publish their address as P.O. Box address, then it should trigger a red flag to you.

3. Unrealistically Short Program Time

You can obtain a degree at diploma mills in a short amount of time, under a month or even in a few days from the time of enrollment. While at legitimate online colleges and universities, can award degrees in less time than traditional classroom-based schools, an unrealistically short program time for a degree is fraudulent.

4. You Can Obtain A Degree Solely Based On Life Experience
Although legitimate online universities may award some credit for well-documented "life experience", you will not be able to earn a degree solely based on "life experience"; but at diploma mill, you can easily get a degree just with your "life experience". This sign should clearly trigger a red flag, avoid it totally.

5. Diploma Mills Charge Tuition Fee on a Per-Degree Basis

Legitimate online colleges and universities normally charge their tuition fee on a per-semester, per-quarter, per-course or per-credit basis, which is different from what most diploma mills charge in per-degree basis. This is a sure sign of a degree mill.

It is not worth to risk your future by getting a degree from diploma mill. Although sometime it's hard to identify a diploma mill, but if you review a school and their degree program more carefully and be aware about the diploma mill's signs, you should be able to avoid it.

Is Online Nursing Degree Right For You?

Author: Amelia Turner
Your future is guaranteed bright if you choose nursing as your future career after you complete your degree in nursing because the nursing employment opportunities will continue to grow in next 10 years down the road. Basically, you have 2 options to complete the degree, either though online nursing degree program or follows the traditional campus-based nursing program. Online degree program may be a good option for many students looking at it advantages that can benefit most students, but you may not be a right candidate for online education. Hence, before you enroll into an online nursing degree program, you should ask yourself whether pursuing your nursing degree online is right for you.

Being an online student is not as easy as most people think of. Many online students failed to complete their online degree program just because they are not prepare to be a success online student. Hence, if you intend to pursue your nursing degree online, you should consider whether online study is right for you or you may learn better at campus-based classes.

Most online nursing degree programs allow their students to have some extends of self-pace learning. It will benefit students who like flexi learning environment and students who are working while pursuing their nursing degree. But, it can be the factor that causes students who do not have self-discipline to fail in their online study. If you are a person that needs somebody to look at your back or tell you when to complete a task, then earning your nursing degree online may not be a good option for you.

You may need to explore the features and how to use the online learning system of the school. Although the school will provide you with the "how-to-use" guide on their learning system, you still need explore each feature and try them to get yourself familiar with the online learning system. If you are a person that hates to learn new things by yourself without a guide from another person, then you may not effectively use the online learning system to complete your online nursing degree program.

Another key difference between online learning and campus-based study style is you need to read a lot of text materials from computer or printouts, whereas in campus-learning environment, the lecturers will explain the course materials and you just need to sit, hear and take some notes. Which learning style do you prefer? If you prefer the campus-based style, then you should not consider online nursing degree.

Can you communicate effectively through online media such as online chat, discussion board, web video conference or email? These are the major communication channels for online learning environment; you need yourself familiar on how to use them effectively before you consider getting your nursing degree online.

Summary

Basically, you have 2 options to pursue a nursing degree, either online nursing degree program or campus-based nursing study. You should always consider which option works best for you so that you have the best learning environment to earn a nursing degree.

Six Benefits of Community College

Author: Jullie
The community college can be an excellent place for you to start your post-secondary education. You may earn an associate degree or certificate to enter the workplace, or you may choose to continue your education on a bachelor's degree by transferring credit to an online university or a 4-year institution. Here are 6 good reasons to choose a community college's education program:

Reason #1: Save In Tuition Cost

If you are tight on your education funds to pursue a degree offered by the vast majority of colleges and universities that may cost you over $100,000 to complete the degree program, then enrolling into a community college program can help you to accomplish very similar academic successes at a fraction of the cost.

Reason #2: Credits From Community College Are Transferable

You can take your preparatory core classes at community college and then transfer to a college or university bachelor program for continuous education. Most of college and universities accept transfer credit from community colleges. By taking your preparatory core classes at community college will save your money while enabling you to follow a transitional pathway to independent living.

Reason #3: Enable You To Develop Vocational Skills

If you have enter workplace with a general degree such as liberal arts degree, then community college is a good place to sharpen your skills on specific area that related to your career field. You can find many education programs offered by community colleges are related to career fields which can help you to develop vocational skills to handle your job professionally. Moreover, most of these college education programs can be completed in 1 to 2 years; you can save your time to complete the same subject areas offered in a 4-year degree offered by other universities and colleges.

Reason #4: Locate at Strategic Places

Community colleges are often located at the hearts of towns or cities where you will find it convenience to travel with a public transportation to and from your classes, and save you in term of car and gas costs.

Reason #5: Small Class Size

The class size at community colleges usually small and they only accept limited enrollment making you get lots of one-on-one attention from instructors.

Reason #6: Flexible Learning Schedule

If you are a working individual who has difficulties to fix your time to attend the classes, then community college learning schedule may fit your needs. Most of community college education programs have some sort flexible schedule for you to choose and attend your class that fit into your time. Beside that, you can work with the instructors to make up missed coursework online, enable you to enjoy the benefits of education at a pace that makes sense. Moreover, many of education programs offered by community colleges are available in online degree format, making it a good option for working adults and new parents to purse their desired degree online and at their own learning pace.

Summary

The communication college can be a good option for you to start your post-secondary education and earn an associate degree or certificate to enter the workplace or continue to a higher education after graduated from community college.

Education in India: New IITs

Author: Sanjeev Pandey
Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh in August this year unveiled a plan to set up eight IITs for a revolution in the field of present education system. The IIT mission would therefore be in line with that long-term objective of central government.

Higher education in India got a big boost with eight new IITs to be set up at a total cost of Rs.60.80 billion ($1.5 billion). New IITs had been approved in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Among them, six IITs have already started their academic sessions this year, while the other two - approved in Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh - are expected to start operations from the 2009-10 academic years. To ensure that the IITs function properly, the government has sanctioned 30 faculty posts per year for each new IIT. It has also specifically approved the post of a Director in each of these IITs in the grade of Rs. 26,000 (fixed) and a post of Registrar in the grade of Rs.16,400 -22,400 for each new IIT. The Cabinet has also decided to raise the grade of all existing seven IIT Directors from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 26,000 (fixed).

Three existing IITs — Guwahati, Madras and Delhi — have been made mentor institutions for the education institutes at Patna, Medak and Rajasthan respectively. Technical faculty from the Guwahati and Madras IITs are deployed to teach at makeshift campuses at Patna and Medak. IIT Rajasthan doesn’t even have a makeshift campus, and has started functioning from its mentor’s campus at IIT Delhi.

With 6 new IITs functioning this year, overseas expansion of IITs is put on hold. The HRD ministry has said that Syria’s vision of an IIT in its capital will have to wait for some time. There are mixed responses from experts on these new IITs. Prime Minister’s initiative to establish eight new IITs has drawn flak from his scientific adviser CNR Rao, who said that the opening of so many IITs is going to be a disaster. Even prominent alumni of IITs are concerned about IIT brand value. They raise questions about operations of new IITs. The one problem which bothers all new IIT directors is that of finding quality teaching staff.

As per the government, the creation of new IITs will enable provision of high quality Indian education for more students. It would also address state and region specific technology related problems of states and UTs situated in the IITs’ Zones. Prominent IIT Prof. Joshi said the new IITs have created opportunities. Recently in a meeting at Patna he said, a number of brilliant students who might have not made it due to limited number of seats will now be able to join in IITs. Putting aside initial problems and operational difficulties, these institutes are expected to address high quality manpower requirements of Indian industry.

Importance of Higher Education Counseling for Study in Australia

Author: Siddharth Gupta
Studying in Australia offers international students more than academic achievement and a globally recognized qualification. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience through which a student can develop independence, maturity, an understanding of other cultures, and the ability to see issues from different perspectives.

Study in Australia better prepares a student to work in today’s global marketplace. This is why several foreign companies recruit directly from Australian universities and vocational institutes. Many international organizations and companies employ overseas students with Australian qualifications because their exposure to the outside world gives them greater independence and maturity. With international trade barriers disappearing, great opportunities exist for those with the skills, experience and knowledge to seize them.

In Australia, international students can gain this experience in a safe, friendly environment and at an affordable cost.

Education in Australia

Australia is the third most popular study destination in the English-speaking world, with more than 200,000 international students in Australian institutions across all education sectors: higher education, vocational education and training, English Language colleges, and schools.

Australia’s universities have made important breakthroughs in modern technology and science while Australia’s vocational training system, which is based on industry standards, is used as a model for other Asia-Pacific countries.

There are universities in all major Australian cities and throughout regional areas of the country ranging in size from around 3,000 students to 50,000 students. About 20 percent of students enrolled in Australian universities are from overseas.
Many international students also study in vocational education and training colleges and institutes across Australia. These institutes offer qualifications that recognised in the workplace.

The Australian Government ensures the quality of Australian institutions and courses in a number of ways. Institutions must be accredited and courses offered to international students must be approved and listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). Qualifications offered to students must fit the Australian Qualifications Framework. The staff at Australian institutions is also very experienced in helping students from other countries, and there are well-established support systems in place for international students.

In a nut shell Australia is a dynamic and vibrant country with a great deal to offer students looking for international education. Australia has:

Dynamic and progressive education programs with a reputation for excellence
Globally-recognized courses and qualifications
A relaxed, enjoyable and safe lifestyle
Cheaper study and living expenses compared to many other countries
Vibrant, appealing and multicultural cities
Great weather
Amazing and diverse landscapes and scenery
Unique and wonderful flora and fauna.
Great employment opportunities in International Companies after passing out from any Australian University.

Online Degree Programs: A Way To Start An Education

Author: David Done
The development of Internet technology is a source of help for prospective college students. The internet allows you to access an abundance of information about online degree programs. Research has shown that online teaching methods are comparable to conventional colleges. In some cases, online teaching has been shown to be even more effective than traditional classroom teaching.

For this reason, many students choose online degree programs. They are easy to complete and provide options. Research about these programs will show that they offer many different programs on many different disciplines. Schools that offer online degrees are increasingly common. Therefore, attaining a degree online is simple.

Lots of sites on the Internet are devoted to informing people about distance education. On these sites you can learn about these programs and learn more about the way an online degree in earned. Some sites about distance learning even link directly to various schools that offer online degrees. Featured on-site articles about distance education can help you make the right decision.

Once you see all these sites, you want to determine if online education will suit your needs. Successful distance education students have a great desire to learn about their subject, a desire to succeed, and the ability to show restraint. Distance education measures up favorably to traditional colleges in the opportunity they provide students to succeed.

Online programs truly give students a place to study whenever they want. They are no longer bound by limitations and can bend the hours in which they can study. Many studies have shown that online degrees are equally respected as a regular college degree.

If you are a person who is just beginning your college journey, then there are different programs that give associate degrees so that it will be the base for your online degree. After you have received the associate degree, you can go for a bachelor's degree or master's degree. Even PhD and MBA degree can be obtained via online programs. You will be surprised to know that you may even get an online school diploma, which is very important in order to further your educational aspirations.

For the reasons of convenience and flexibility, many students are choosing online degree programs. Information on distance education can be found on numerous websites. These websites provide students with program information and explain ways that they can complete degrees online. These websites offer helpful and informative articles that will guide you towards an appropriate decision. With an online program, students have the choice to study whenever they want at whatever speed they want. Online schooling has truly become limitless in this day and age, and it has been shown that online degrees are held in equal standing with more traditional college degrees.

Importance of higher education counseling for study in USA

Author: Siddharth Gupta
Often called 'the land of opportunities and hope', 'technological foundry', and 'the land of adventure', United States of America needs no formal introduction. The climatic and geographic variations, the cultural diversity, the commitment and dedication to the development of new technologies, a flourishing and strong economy with a liberalized education system make USA an ideal country for international students.

Foreign education consultants act as navigators in the process of converting your dreams into reality. Lot of expertise is required to get through the entire process of admissions and visas in USA. There are lots of do’s and dont’s involved in the whole process. One single step can make or break your dream. Through years of experience and with the firsthand feedback from students, foreign education consultants help you make :

Right choice of University :

Higher Study in USA is quite different from the system offered in our country. There is no federal or central education system in USA. Degree-granting institutions in the United States can be called as universities, colleges, schools or institutes. As a general rule, colleges tend to be smaller and usually offer only undergraduate degrees, while a university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. An institute usually specializes in degree programs in a group of closely related subject areas, so you will also come across degree programs offered at institutes of technology, institutes of fashion, institutes of art and design, and so on. Within each college or university one will find schools, such as the school of arts and sciences or the school of business. Each school is responsible for the degree programs offered by the college or university in that area of study. Studying in an accredited school ensures you of bright career opportunities ahead. So this is the first step one needs to take in the right direction. The higher education counselor can assist you in selecting a career option keeping in consideration of your aptitude, academic background and future plans. Once a decision regarding the course is made, the counselor can research the appropriate university that offers the programme. Particular state preferences, financial budget, ranking of the university and test scores are also taken into consideration while selecting a university for the students

Pre application preparations :

USA applications are believed to be the most tedious and time consuming compared to any other country. Lot of backend work is involved before a student makes his final applications. Higher education consultant would know exactly how the documentation should be done and thus ensuring admissions in universities for the student. They help you prepare various creative documents like the statement of purpose, resume, recommendation letters etc. These documents play a vital role in admissions and therefore it becomes necessary to keep a watch over the flow of statements, contents and the language used. Professional help would ensure you the proper making of such documents.

Visa preparation :

The final step in the whole process is visas and it is very important to present the visa file very professionally. Education consultants help you channelise your finances in the right direction as per the norms of the US High Commission. Also they help you present the papers in the right manner and preparing you and grooming you for the interview a student is required to face at the Mumbai embassy.

Certain things in life related to career and education cannot be done by a trial and error method. So it becomes very important to take proper guidance from experienced leaders and fulfill your dreams.

Education in Afghanistan

Author: Sanjeev Pandey
Plight of education in Afghanistan had seldom been fine, until King Zahir Shah came and took serious actions.

King Zahir Shah (early to mid 20th Century) built primary schools for students under the age of 12, along with strengthening the secondary school system and increasing the number of national universities in Kabul. This move was a first step towards laying a stronger foundation for education. Though a large part of population still remained illiterate, it was a bold move nevertheless.

Then in the mid 1980s the country had around 800 primary schools, 300 general secondary schools and about 6500 students in Kabul University. Such low figures are due to the widespread destruction that took place, which also eliminated up to 80 percent of the schools and colleges. Resultant, a large portion of Afghanistan generation grew up without any formal schooling.

The year 1996 once again marked a setback for Afghanistan education sector. The then Taliban regime most ferociously banned the education for females in Afghanistan and evolved mosque schools (madrassa) for primary and secondary education.

The 21st century has marked a shining phase in the Afghanistan Education. From a “no-education-for-girls”, the scenario shifted to “separate-education-for-girls”. In 2003, the girls and women shed off their camouflage and enrolled themselves in schools and colleges. Though they shared separate facilities, but they were given the right to study nonetheless. The transition is subtle, but sure.

Few of the named Universities of Afghanistan that have carved a niche in their education sector are as follows:-

• Kabul University
• American University of Afghanistan
• National Military Academy of Afghanistan
• Kabul Institute of Medicine
• Polytechnic University of Kabul
• University of Pedagogy

These estimable universities constitute a major chunk of illustrious scholars, and are gaining popularity with each passing day. Kabul University in itself presently holds 10,000 students, out of which 2000 are females. An educated mind is also an enlightened one. Hope the improvement in the Afghanistan education sector also paves the way for stronger community base.

Best universities of France

Author: John Paget
An assessment carried out by AllAboutUni reveals that France has a relatively low density of the World's Top-500 universities compared to other countries in the world. AllAboutUni is an independent, global and interactive website where visitors can obtain information about universities (global rankings, student reviews, university news and campus pictures).

The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) is produced by the Institute of Higher Education at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Several indicators of academic or research performance are used to establish the ranking, these include highly cited researchers, articles indexed in major citation indices and staff winning Nobel Prizes.

The World’s Top-500 universities (2008) are mainly located in Europe (n=210; 40%), the Americas (n=190; 40%) and the Asian/Pacific region (n=100; 20%). There are 23 universities located in France, representing 11% of the European universities in the ARWU ranking.

France has a population of 64 million inhabitants and the eighth largest economy in the world and fourth third in Western Europe (in terms of Gross Domestic Product), after USA, China, Japan, India, Germany, United Kingdom and Russia.

Universities in France are predominantly public institutions. Interestingly, the best students attend the ‘Grandes Ecoles’ ['Grand Schools'] (a higher education establishment outside the mainstream framework of the public universities system). Whilst the universities are open to all students who finish their high school education (with a ‘Baccalauréat’), the ‘Grandes Ecoles’ require an additional entrance exam which is highly competitive.

In comparison to French universities, the ‘Grandes Ecoles’ are relatively small institutions. For example, the University of Paris 06 (ranked 42rd in the world) has 30,000 students and the Ecole Normale Superieure Paris (ranked 73rd in the world) has 2,000 students.

The Top-5 universities in France are: 1. University of Paris 06 (ranked 42nd in the world), 2. University of Paris 11 (49th), 3. Ecole Normale Superieure Paris (73rd), 4. University of Paris 07 (101-151) and University of Strasbourg (101-151). Overall, the ‘Grandes Ecoles’ only represent 5 of the top-23 universities in France and there is a very high representation of universities located in Paris (9 out of 23).

In order to make inter-country comparisons, AllAboutUni calculates the number of universities in the World’s Top-500 per million inhabitants. The overall number of universities per million inhabitants is 0.5 for industrialised countries. An earlier assessment found that small countries in Western Europe (Sweden (1.2), Finland (1.1) and Switzerland (1.0) and New Zealand (1.2) have the highest number of universities per million inhabitants.

The number of universities in the World’s Top-500 universities that are located in France is 0.4 per million inhabitants. Other large industrialized countries have the following figures: Australia (0.7), the Netherlands (0.7), United Kingdom (0.7), Canada (0.6), United States (0.5), Germany (0.5), France (0.4), Italy (0.4), Japan (0.2), South Korea (0.2) and Spain (0.2). This means that France performance is relatively low compared to other industrialised countries.

At the top of the ARWU ranking, there are only three French universities in the World’s Top-100 universities. This compares to 54 for the US, 11 for the UK, 6 for Germany, 4 each for Canada, Japan and Sweden, and 3 for Australia and Switzerland. All other countries have fewer than 3 universities in the World’s Top-100 universities.

In conclusion, France performs poorly when its universities are compared to other industrialised countries in the world. Its best university is only ranked 42nd in the world and there are only three universities in the World’s Top-100 universities. Looking at the density of top universities per million inhabitants also reveals a poor performance compared to other industrialised countries.

Best Universities of Spain

Author: John Paget
The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) is produced by the Institute of Higher Education at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Several indicators of academic or research performance are used to establish the ranking, these include highly cited researchers, articles indexed in major citation indices and staff winning Nobel Prizes.

The World’s Top-500 universities (2008) are mainly located in Europe (n=210; 40%), the Americas (n=190; 40%) and the Asian/Pacific region (n=100; 20%). There are nine universities located in Spain, representing 2% of the World's Top-500 universities and 4% of the European universities in the ARWU ranking.

The Top-6 universities in Spain are: 1. University of Barcelona (ranked 152-200 in the world); 2. University Autonoma of Madrid (201-302), 2. University Complutense – Madrid; 4. University Autonoma Barcelona (303-401), 4. University Polytechnic Valencia (303-401) and 4. University of Valencia (303-401). This means that the top universities are located in three largest urban centres of Spain (Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia) and the top university is not located in the capital city.

All six universities are public institutions and the total number of students per university is relatively large compared to other countries (e.g. United States, United Kingdom and the Netherlands). The average number of students for the Top-6 universities is 55,416, with a range from 33,118 at the University Autonoma of Madrid to 91,251 at the University Complutense - Madrid.

In order to make inter-country comparisons, AllAboutUni calculates the number of universities in the World’s Top-500 per million inhabitants. The overall number of universities per million inhabitants is 0.5 for industrialized countries. An earlier assessment found that small countries in Western Europe (Sweden (1.2), Finland (1.1) and Switzerland (1.0)) and New Zealand (1.2) has the highest number of universities per million inhabitants.

The number of universities in the World’s Top-500 universities that are located in Spain is 0.2 per million inhabitants. Other large industrialized countries have the following figures: Australia (0.7), the Netherlands (0.7), United Kingdom (0.7), Canada (0.6), United States (0.5), Germany (0.5), France (0.4), Italy (0.4), Japan (0.2) and South Korea (0.2). This means that the performance of Spain is very low compared to other industrialized countries. For example, Sweden has six times more universities in the ARWU ranking (per million inhabitants) than Spain.

In conclusion, Spain performs poorly when its universities are compared to other industrialized countries in the world. It does not have a university in the World's Top-100, its best university (the University of Barcelona) is only ranked 152-200 and it has a very low density of top universities per million inhabitants compared to other industrialized countries.

Best University in Europe: Cambridge University

Author: John Paget
The ARWU is produced by the Institute of Higher Education at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University and several indicators of academic or research performance are used to establish the ranking, these include highly cited researchers, articles indexed in major citation indices and staff winning Nobel Prizes.

The University of Cambridge was established in 1209, making it the second-oldest university in the English speaking world (after the University of Oxford). The University has 18 022 students (January 2008): 11 582 undergraduates and 6 440 postgraduates (or 'graduates' in the US). Overseas students (meaning non-UK or EU students) number 3 085, representing 17% of the student body. The University of Cambridge has a very strong tradition in sciences, producing 83 Nobel Laureates to date .

The total income of the University of Cambridge is £601.6 million (2007-2008). In late 2006, the total financial endowment of the university and the colleges was estimated at £4.1 billion, with £1.2 billion tied directly to the university and £2.9 billion to the colleges. Compared to the world's top-25 universities, the University of Cambridge has a high total endowment .

University of Cape Town is the best university in Africa

Author: John Paget
The ARWU is produced by the Institute of Higher Education at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University and several indicators of academic or research performance are used to establish the ranking, these include highly cited researchers, articles indexed in major citation indices and staff winning Nobel Prizes.

There are three African universities in the Word’s Top-500 universities (2008) and all of them are located in South Africa: 1.University of Cape Town (ranked 201-302 in the world); 2. University of Witwatersrand (303-401); 3. University of KwaZulu-Natal (402-503). The University of Cape Town has been the best university in Africa in every year since 2003 according to the ARWU.

The University of Cape Town (UCT) was established in 1829 (it received a formal university status in 1918) and is the oldest university in South Africa. The University has 21,170 students (2006): 15,315 undergraduates and 5,855 postgraduates (or 'graduates' in the US). It has an annual income R1.97 billion (2006) (roughly $188 million) and six faculties: Commerce (incorporating the Graduate School of Business), Engineering and the Built Environment, Law, Health Sciences, Humanities, and Science.