Degrees of separation
Brunch|June 24, 2023
Elite universities abroad offer great online courses. Is it really the same as spending multiple semesters on campus?
Urvee Modwel
Degrees of separation

Who wouldn't want Harvard, Cornell or MIT on their CV? As more international universities offer online certificate courses - from Digital Marketing and Economics for Managers to Artificial Intelligence – those hallowed hallways are at least virtually within reach. Sure, they're expensive (course fees alone start at Rs 1 lakh). Is it worth the time, money and trouble?

Online courses offer students flexibility - great for anyone juggling studies and work. Shubhika Bilgrami, 33, a knowledge professional at a consulting firm in the Middle East, took the six-week Beyond Smart Cities course by MIT in 2021. She found it intense but manageable. "There was one module every week," says Bilgrami, whose company sponsored the Rs 1.18 lakh course. "It took eight to 10 hours per week, and could be paced as we wanted." 

Esta historia es de la edición June 24, 2023 de Brunch.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición June 24, 2023 de Brunch.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE BRUNCHVer todo
Did you miss the signs?
Brunch

Did you miss the signs?

Some films demand a rewatch, only to spot all the clues you didn't the first time. These 10 aren't your usual suspects. See what we did there?

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 11, 2025
A sculptor who turns heads
Brunch

A sculptor who turns heads

Curves, rolls of fat, and strong features are on full display in G Ravinder Reddy's work. It celebrates the real female form

time-read
2 minutos  |
January 11, 2025
It's time to clear the air
Brunch

It's time to clear the air

At airports, pyjamas, hungover travellers, and lax norms abound. But do we really want to see people at their worst?

time-read
2 minutos  |
January 11, 2025
They're no longer coasting
Brunch

They're no longer coasting

Sri Lankans are still hoping for a better future. But in Colombo, its hotels are already prepped for success. And the local food is as delicious as ever

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 11, 2025
Love, loss and long division
Brunch

Love, loss and long division

You can end a relationship these days, divvy up friends too. But how do you split a joint Insta or air miles? Can you sue for custody of the dog? See how couples now tie up (and trip over) loose ends

time-read
5 minutos  |
January 11, 2025
Out of office, with the team
Brunch

Out of office, with the team

Colleagues are turning into travel buddies. No, we’re not talking about the office trip. See why work vacays might be the next big thing in travel

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 11, 2025
Burst. Boomerang. Beware!
Brunch

Burst. Boomerang. Beware!

How to style yourself in a world where everyone's whipping out their camera all the time, every day

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 11, 2025
Saiyami Kher
Brunch

Saiyami Kher

Actor, @Saiyami

time-read
1 min  |
January 04, 2025
Taking up happy space
Brunch

Taking up happy space

Leave the doomscrolling for next week. Here are 10 of the happiest spots on Instagram

time-read
2 minutos  |
January 04, 2025
New year, new gear
Brunch

New year, new gear

Waiting in pole position? Don't make any fuel-ish decisions; these are the new car launches to get excited about

time-read
2 minutos  |
January 04, 2025