University lectures are moving from the campus to the home, as pilot tests get underway for students to watch their lectures online.

Auckland University is so convinced with the potential of streaming lectures on the internet, that it has already begun trials, with a view to offering live lectures within a few years.

"What we are working towards is a lecture that can be seen by students either live or remotely over the internet," says Dr Paul Rouse from the Auckland University, who is the driving force behind the pilot scheme.

"A student wakes up on a Monday morning, it's raining and they think 'do I catch the bus into my nine o'clock lecture or do I simply make myself a cup of coffee and dial into my computer and attend my lecture from home?'.

The technology is a logical answer to the growing problem of over-crowded lecture theatres.

"Some students are always going to want a live lecture and we owe it to them to provide a live lecture. However we also want to provide choice," says Dr Paul Rouse.

Other New Zealand universities are also working on streaming lectures, but Dr Rouse says Auckland is leading the way.