Yes, but the difference is that you will be able to study at a pace that you see fit and then go get formally qualified when you believe yourself ready to do so. Since the 1940’s, certainly, even if you knew everything about rocket science that could be known you still had to often sit through the classroom lectures.
Now much of that won’t be necessary.
you can always read at your own pace, and can test out of subjects that you can prove you have mastered without taking them.