Liverpool University/Laureate Online Education

Age: 8.

History: The University of Liverpool in partnership with Laureate Online Education launched the first virtual classroom in April 2000. Laureate designs and delivers the online programmes, giving students personal and technological support throughout their studies. The University of Liverpool is responsible for the academic quality of all the programmes and awards students their degrees.

Address: Whenever and wherever you like, since it's totally online.

Ambience: At home or abroad, your hotel room, your office, on the beach, or in an internet café, wherever you are – it's up to you.

Vital statistics: Designed for working professionals who want a degree from a respected UK university, while remaining on the job. There are more than 5,000 alumni and current students from 170 countries. Students can personalise their MBA, MPH, Masters in clinical research or MSc degree by choosing from a broad range of elective modules. The MBA currently has specialisation tracks in marketing, and finance and accounting, and there's even flexibility in terms of how long the programme lasts.

Added value: While classmates are dispersed all over the world, students and instructors constantly interact, with weekly assignments, lively debate, critical analysis of work, and collaborative group projects. Students thus work across time zones, and in different languages, but still have to finish assignments on deadline.

Easy to get into? You'll need a bachelors degree or equivalent, two years of work experience and English language skills comparable to an IELTS score of 6.5, a TOEFL of 600, or a GCSE grade C. Other applicants are assessed on a case by case basis.

Glittering alumni: A former president of Singapore.

Gurus: Professor Paul Leng, who championed fully online education for the university.

International connections: Students, instructors and staff now represent more than 170 different countries, and all students become part of an international network of peers, who bring diverse experience and insights.

Teaching: In the 2004 QAA assessment, the university was awarded "broad confidence", the highest possible commendation.

Student profile: The average age on the course is 37, with an average of 15 years of work experience. All classrooms are international and working adults students bring a wealth of experience into the classroom.

Cost: The MBA is £17,130 if paid in a lump sum. However, a variety of payment plans and currency options are available.

Return on investment: More confidence, problem-solving abilities and self reliance. Many students are promoted during their studies and significant salary hikes are reported.

Prospectus: +31 (0)20 713 0000; www.uol.ohecampus.com