Issues affecting virtual universities

The paper outlines the contemporary field of virtual universities in the US and UK, and discusses potential future issues that may affect this educational market. The authors contend that there is no such thing as a ‘model’ virtual university, and the composition of a successful virtual educational environment will depend very much on factors such as the courses being delivered, the nature of the student body (both local and remote), and a range of institutional issues. Certain issues, however, will always apply to the processes of virtual education regardless of the audience and institution. The authors outline these generic elements that will contribute to a successful virtual university