The Benefits of Online Study

Balancing postgraduate studies with work and everyday life can be difficult. Transport to and from lectures, combined with a rigid study schedule, often means sacrificing either study, work, or leisure time.

This is where online learning comes in.

GIS follows this model, allowing for flexible online study that fits around your schedule, with distance learning options in sport so that you can study on the go. 

Alternatively, students can choose our distance learning with attendance option, which offers the best of both worlds by combining the flexibility of online learning with week-long residentials in some of the world’s biggest sporting cities.

It is often thought that learning isn’t as efficient online, but there is considerable research to the contrary with one study finding that a “strong positive correlation exists between e-learning and academic success.”

Recent studies have reinforced what GIS students have already experienced: online learning can even improve academic performance. A 2023 study supported this, concluding that “the average academic performance improves significantly in online environments.”

Yet, while the effectiveness of online study is clear, some students still prefer the in-person element of traditional learning. Research into international student preferences suggests that the future may rely on a blended approach.

One GIS student who benefits from this approach is Harrison Bruton, goalkeeper for Al Qabila FC, who balances professional football with his studies in MSc Performance Analysis in Football in Dubai.

“The structure that GIS has built for students to study online is pretty bang on,” he said. 

“Out here in Dubai we have a WhatsApp group with all the students, and we aim to meet up weekly to discuss assignments and help each other out. There’s also the summits which are a great way to network.”

The summits he’s referring to are our signature GIS Global Summits, which give our students the chance to complement their online learning with exclusive tours, guest speakers, networking, and live sports events at locations from Sydney to Miami.

Another GIS student who successfully balances studies with work is former USA international and current Atlanta United goalkeeper, Brad Guzan.

“I’m not ready to hang up my gloves yet,” he told GIS, “so the option to prepare my next move whilst still playing at the highest level was hugely important to me. That’s why I chose to study at GIS – it just made sense.”

As Brad’s experience shows, GIS enables anyone with a busy schedule to access world-class teaching from anywhere in the world as they work towards a successful career in sport.

To explore our range of postgraduate online courses, visit our course page.

Article by Zakaria Anani