Online and Distance Learning
Study an online distance learning course from anywhere in the world. Learn alongside an existing job or commitment, or use the increased flexibility to pursue personal interests. Benefit from our high-quality teaching and support without the need to come onto campus.
What is distance learning?
Our online and distance learning courses offer a truly flexible means of studying, as they allow you to learn from anywhere in the world that has internet access. We offer a range of courses taught by this method, all of which benefit from high quality resources and great support throughout.
Learning materials will consist of e-books, online journal papers and other online resources, so there is never a requirement to come onto campus. You’ll interact with other students in online discussion forums and your tutors will guide and support you via email, phone, and the University’s e-learning portal, Canvas.
A degree studied via online distance learning is a qualification that's recognised internationally, and you'll develop the skills, experience and knowledge you need to pursue a career wherever you choose to go in the world. You can share and benefit from being a member of a global ‘community of learning and educational practice’ within each of your modules.
Distance learning courses in Education
The Faculty of Education and Society is at the forefront of our distance learning provision, having initially commenced over 20 years ago with the PGCE Education course in Dubai. We now operate in over 60 countries across the world with a wide range of courses.
All of our courses enable you to share and benefit from being a member of a global community of learning and educational practice. You're able to study in a flexible, independent and well-supported manner, allowing you to achieve a recognised professional and academic qualification. Find out more about the benefits of studying one of our distance learning courses in Education.
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My study has been entirely online and I consider the experience one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Sara Curtin
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The way the University dealt with distance learners made me feel like I was actually near them.
Muhammad Moustafa AlQadi
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You never feel like you're doing it on your own; there is a lot of support from your personal tutor.
Eleanor Sweeney
Our Online and Distance Learning courses
Take a look below to find the right course for you.
Undergraduate courses

BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (Top-Up)
The 100% online BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies Top-Up has been specifically designed for ambitious registered nurses who want to top up their existing academic qualification to a BSc with Honours degree, unlocking progression into more senior roles and higher pay bands.
Find out more about BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (Top-Up)
BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing (Blended)
The course has been designed for individuals who want to launch a rewarding career in nursing and make a real difference to people’s lives, every day. You will learn the knowledge and skills required of a Registered Nurse, and your learning will be directly aligned with the needs of the NHS and other health care employers.
Find out more about BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing (Blended)Postgraduate courses

PGCE Education (DL)
Do you want to gain an academic teaching qualification from a respected UK university? The University of Sunderland has been training teachers for over 100 years. Take advantage of our teaching expertise as we equip you with the skills to improve your teaching, while working towards a Certificate in Education (PGCE).
Find out more about PGCE Education (DL)
PGCE Early Years Teaching (DL)
Do you want to develop a specialism in teaching young children up to the age of five without leaving your home country? Then this course is for you. We’ve been teaching education for over 100 years, and this course builds on the University of Sunderland’s expertise in teacher training. You’ll explore how to assess development and how to lead Early Years provision, while working toward a PGCE in Early Years Teaching.
Find out more about PGCE Early Years Teaching (DL)
PGCE iQTS (DL)
Qualify as a teacher with iQTS from anywhere in the world with this DfE (UK) recognised International Initial Teacher Training course. The University of Sunderland has been training teachers for over 100 years.
Find out more about PGCE iQTS (DL)
PgCert National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (DL)
Develop the skills and knowledge you need to lead colleagues in meeting needs of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. This independent distance learning course can be studied from anywhere in the world.
Find out more about PgCert National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (DL)
PgCert Special Educational Needs and Disabilities: Leading Provision and Practice (DL)
Study from anywhere in the world. Enhance learning and teaching for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Develop your communication with colleagues, other professionals, parents and carers.
Find out more about PgCert Special Educational Needs and Disabilities: Leading Provision and Practice (DL)
MA in Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion (DL)
Study for the MA SEND from anywhere in the world and explore issues surrounding Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities via flexible distance learning.
Find out more about MA in Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion (DL)
MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - (DL)
Do you want to open yourself up to career opportunities around the world? Then this 18-month course is for you. Teachers with a qualification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) are in high demand. You’ll combine theory with practice as you study various topics, including ‘Principles and Practice of English Language Teaching’ and you’ll teach a lesson at an institution in your own country.
Find out more about MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - (DL)
MA Education (DL)
Are you a Teacher or Educationalist? Do you want to develop your professional practice? This distance learning programme provides the opportunity to continue your professional development and acquire advanced research and study skills whether you are in the UK or Overseas. Combine study with paid work or family commitments, and enhance your skills and understanding to equip you for various roles including teaching and educational management.
Find out more about MA Education (DL)
MA International Education (DL)
Are you a teacher in an international school? Would you like to develop your professional practice? If so, this distance learning programme is for you. We will support your career development with a tight focus on the international school system and its challenges and opportunities. Enhance your employability, while working towards a masters qualification.
Find out more about MA International Education (DL)
Mentoring and Coaching (DL)
This Level 7 course is ideal for teachers or other educational professionals who want to develop their careers with a Mentoring and Coaching qualification. You will gain knowledge, understanding and intellectual skills that you can apply to your own teaching position to enhance your career.
Find out more about Mentoring and Coaching (DL)
MSc Management
This MSc Management course will help you to shape your leadership and management skills to become an effective manager and leader in the 21st century business environment.You will gain a deep understanding of the core business subjects, enabling you to put theory and contemporary thinking into practice. It is delivered entirely online, with a flexible learning model that delivers academic content on demand.
Find out more about MSc Management
MSc Management with Marketing
This MSc Management with Marketing course helps you to develop your leadership and management skills, examining how aspiring marketing leaders can become effective managers and leaders in the modern world of work. With a focus on leadership in marketing, you will gain a deep understanding of international marketing, marketing management, and global integrated marketing communications. This course enables you to benefit from an entirely flexible online format.
Find out more about MSc Management with Marketing
MSc Management with Finance
Our online MSc Management with Finance course has been specifically built to provide busy working professionals with the opportunity to learn how to successfully manage, lead, strategise and innovate within the Finance discipline – without having to give up the day job. The course is delivered entirely online with a flexible learning model.
Find out more about MSc Management with Finance
MSc Management with HR
With a specific focus on the organisational and people aspects of business and management, you will gain a deep understanding of international human resource management, organisational development, resourcing and talent management. The course’s flexible learning model delivers academic content on demand, meaning that you can study for your Masters degree from anywhere in the world, on mobile or desktop, and can fit your studies around your work and family life.
Find out more about MSc Management with HR
MSc Psychology
This online Masters course has been designed to equip you with the skill set and understanding of human behaviour to help you succeed in people management and leadership roles, as well as in careers related to the psychology discipline across the public and private sector, including in HR, marketing, research and teaching.
Find out more about MSc Psychology
International MBA
This MBA equips you for strategic, cross-cultural and international roles in organisations where decision-making involves evaluation and analysis of challenging and fast-changing environments and the exploration of opportunities to implement change at a strategic level.
Find out more about International MBA
MBA with Project Management
Delivering projects on time, on budget and in line with stakeholder expectations requires effective management across the project lifecycle. The 100% online MBA with Project Management provides you with the tools to do so, developing skills in scoping, planning, resource management and project delivery.
Find out more about MBA with Project Management
MBA with Healthcare Management
The MBA with Healthcare Management will help grow your confidence as a leader, develop your data analysis, problem solving and innovation skills, and equip you to guide strategic direction in the healthcare sector. You'll explore leadership in national and global health and social care settings with a critical appreciation of the issues, trends and ethical and diversity perspectives that impact on decision making.
Find out more about MBA with Healthcare Management
MBA with Supply Chain Management
The 100% online MBA with Supply Chain Management has been created for ambitious professionals who want to advance into and succeed in senior and strategic positions in supply chain and logistics. It provides you with an in-depth understanding of global logistics and supply chain management and the design of sustainable integrated supply chains, in addition to developing enhanced leadership skills.
Find out more about MBA with Supply Chain Management
MSc Computer Science
This 100% online MSc Computer Science has been designed for ambitious individuals who aren’t from a computer science background and who want to launch a new career in computer science or want to incorporate computer science expertise and knowledge into their current field as a means of accelerating their career progression. This online Computer Masters is also open to professionals who work in computer science roles and want to gain an academic qualification to enhance their credentials and career prospects.
Find out more about MSc Computer Science
MSc Computer Science with Data Science
100% online MSc Computer Science with Data Science is ideal for professionals who want to develop data science skills to apply to their current role as a means of progressing their career and is open to professionals who work in computer science roles and want to gain an academic qualification to enhance their credentials and career prospects. Studying the course, you will gain the knowledge and skills required to succeed in one of the numerous and high demand data scientist roles in today’s employment market.
Find out more about MSc Computer Science with Data Science
MSc Computer Science with Cybersecurity
This 100% online MSc Computer Science with Cybersecurity has been designed to provide individuals who don’t have an academic or professional background in IT or cybersecurity with the specialist knowledge and skills to launch an exciting new career in cybersecurity. The course represents an excellent opportunity for you to develop cyber skills to apply to your current role as a means of progressing your career. You'll learn to effectively specify, design, implement and support secure computing systems in the real world.
Find out more about MSc Computer Science with Cybersecurity
LLM Master of Laws
This 100% online LLM has been designed for lawyers and non-lawyers alike to provide a comprehensive legal education that can help you to succeed in legal practice, academia or a wide range of business and management career paths. Whether you want to learn the legal skills to support your pathway to becoming a lawyer, are currently practicing law and are looking to specialise, or are looking to develop a legal profile in a role to accelerate your career progression, this course will provide you with the knowledge, insights and skills to help you achieve your goals.
Find out more about LLM Master of Laws
LLM Commercial Law
This 100% online LLM Commercial Law has been created for both lawyers and non-lawyers at all stages of their careers who have an interest in the commercial dimension of international legal issues and who want to gain a robust legal understanding of the global business environment. Whether you want to learn commercial legal skills, are currently practicing and looking to specialise in commercial or trade law, or are looking to develop a legal profile in the business world, this online LLM provides you with the knowledge, insights and skills to help you achieve your goals.
Find out more about LLM Commercial Law
LLM International Law
This 100% online LLM International Law is ideally suited to professionals wanting to specialise in public international law and provides you with a firm foundation in the fundamentals of the international legal system and international relations. Open to both lawyers and non-lawyers, this online course develops a comprehensive understanding of international law that will prepare you for, or further your career in a wide range of sectors both nationally and internationally, including government, trade, law firms, businesses, industry associations and non-governmental organisations.
Find out more about LLM International Law
MSc Nursing Studies
The 100% online MSc Nursing Studies has been designed to equip ambitious healthcare practitioners in the UK and across the world with the knowledge, skills and network to succeed in senior Nursing, midwifery and healthcare roles and to advance to higher pay bands, or develop greater depth and understanding within their current roles and scope of practice.
Find out more about MSc Nursing StudiesResearch courses
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MSc Management
This MSc Management course will help you to shape your leadership and management skills to become an effective manager and leader in the 21st century business environment.You will gain a deep understanding of the core business subjects, enabling you to put theory and contemporary thinking into practice. It is delivered entirely online, with a flexible learning model that delivers academic content on demand.
Find out more about
MSc Management with Marketing
This MSc Management with Marketing course helps you to develop your leadership and management skills, examining how aspiring marketing leaders can become effective managers and leaders in the modern world of work. With a focus on leadership in marketing, you will gain a deep understanding of international marketing, marketing management, and global integrated marketing communications. This course enables you to benefit from an entirely flexible online format.
Find out more about
MSc Management with Finance
Our online MSc Management with Finance course has been specifically built to provide busy working professionals with the opportunity to learn how to successfully manage, lead, strategise and innovate within the Finance discipline – without having to give up the day job. The course is delivered entirely online with a flexible learning model.
Find out more about
MSc Management with HR
With a specific focus on the organisational and people aspects of business and management, you will gain a deep understanding of international human resource management, organisational development, resourcing and talent management. The course’s flexible learning model delivers academic content on demand, meaning that you can study for your Masters degree from anywhere in the world, on mobile or desktop, and can fit your studies around your work and family life.
Find out more about
MSc Psychology
This online Masters course has been designed to equip you with the skill set and understanding of human behaviour to help you succeed in people management and leadership roles, as well as in careers related to the psychology discipline across the public and private sector, including in HR, marketing, research and teaching.
Find out more about
International MBA
This MBA equips you for strategic, cross-cultural and international roles in organisations where decision-making involves evaluation and analysis of challenging and fast-changing environments and the exploration of opportunities to implement change at a strategic level.
Find out more about
MBA with Project Management
Delivering projects on time, on budget and in line with stakeholder expectations requires effective management across the project lifecycle. The 100% online MBA with Project Management provides you with the tools to do so, developing skills in scoping, planning, resource management and project delivery.
Find out more about
MBA with Healthcare Management
The MBA with Healthcare Management will help grow your confidence as a leader, develop your data analysis, problem solving and innovation skills, and equip you to guide strategic direction in the healthcare sector. You'll explore leadership in national and global health and social care settings with a critical appreciation of the issues, trends and ethical and diversity perspectives that impact on decision making.
Find out more about
MBA with Supply Chain Management
The 100% online MBA with Supply Chain Management has been created for ambitious professionals who want to advance into and succeed in senior and strategic positions in supply chain and logistics. It provides you with an in-depth understanding of global logistics and supply chain management and the design of sustainable integrated supply chains, in addition to developing enhanced leadership skills.
Find out more about
MSc Computer Science
This 100% online MSc Computer Science has been designed for ambitious individuals who aren’t from a computer science background and who want to launch a new career in computer science or want to incorporate computer science expertise and knowledge into their current field as a means of accelerating their career progression. This online Computer Masters is also open to professionals who work in computer science roles and want to gain an academic qualification to enhance their credentials and career prospects.
Find out more about
MSc Computer Science with Data Science
100% online MSc Computer Science with Data Science is ideal for professionals who want to develop data science skills to apply to their current role as a means of progressing their career and is open to professionals who work in computer science roles and want to gain an academic qualification to enhance their credentials and career prospects. Studying the course, you will gain the knowledge and skills required to succeed in one of the numerous and high demand data scientist roles in today’s employment market.
Find out more about
MSc Computer Science with Cybersecurity
This 100% online MSc Computer Science with Cybersecurity has been designed to provide individuals who don’t have an academic or professional background in IT or cybersecurity with the specialist knowledge and skills to launch an exciting new career in cybersecurity. The course represents an excellent opportunity for you to develop cyber skills to apply to your current role as a means of progressing your career. You'll learn to effectively specify, design, implement and support secure computing systems in the real world.
Find out more about
LLM Master of Laws
This 100% online LLM has been designed for lawyers and non-lawyers alike to provide a comprehensive legal education that can help you to succeed in legal practice, academia or a wide range of business and management career paths. Whether you want to learn the legal skills to support your pathway to becoming a lawyer, are currently practicing law and are looking to specialise, or are looking to develop a legal profile in a role to accelerate your career progression, this course will provide you with the knowledge, insights and skills to help you achieve your goals.
Find out more about
LLM Commercial Law
This 100% online LLM Commercial Law has been created for both lawyers and non-lawyers at all stages of their careers who have an interest in the commercial dimension of international legal issues and who want to gain a robust legal understanding of the global business environment. Whether you want to learn commercial legal skills, are currently practicing and looking to specialise in commercial or trade law, or are looking to develop a legal profile in the business world, this online LLM provides you with the knowledge, insights and skills to help you achieve your goals.
Find out more about
LLM International Law
This 100% online LLM International Law is ideally suited to professionals wanting to specialise in public international law and provides you with a firm foundation in the fundamentals of the international legal system and international relations. Open to both lawyers and non-lawyers, this online course develops a comprehensive understanding of international law that will prepare you for, or further your career in a wide range of sectors both nationally and internationally, including government, trade, law firms, businesses, industry associations and non-governmental organisations.
Find out more about
MSc Nursing Studies
The 100% online MSc Nursing Studies has been designed to equip ambitious healthcare practitioners in the UK and across the world with the knowledge, skills and network to succeed in senior Nursing, midwifery and healthcare roles and to advance to higher pay bands, or develop greater depth and understanding within their current roles and scope of practice.
Find out more about
BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (Top-Up)
The 100% online BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies Top-Up has been specifically designed for ambitious registered nurses who want to top up their existing academic qualification to a BSc with Honours degree, unlocking progression into more senior roles and higher pay bands.
Find out more about
BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing (Blended)
The course has been designed for individuals who want to launch a rewarding career in nursing and make a real difference to people’s lives, every day. You will learn the knowledge and skills required of a Registered Nurse, and your learning will be directly aligned with the needs of the NHS and other health care employers.
Find out more about