It means a physical building. If you learn via distance learning, then you never go to a physical building, you learn on-line (or via some other method that does not involve going to a physical building). Before distance learning existed, all learning was done in "bricks and mortar," schools, colleges, universities, houses etc p.s bricks are the red, rectangular things that are used to make buildings and mortar is the kind of "paste," that exists between the bricks.

Simply two types of education systems: 1. Online Education 2. Education in Physical Building (Called Brick & Mortar College)

There is another phrase "red brick" which differentiates modern ie post 1960 universitys from "stone" ones and "glass and steel" ones for post 1990 ones. Oxford and Cambridge are not red brick. Interestingly in the US they have "Ivy League" so suggesting Ivy growing up the buildings.

Hi, We imagine the builders of houses stacking bricks on top of one another to create a building. It's a very long and traditional way to build a house, unlike the pre-fabricated parts we so commonly see at construction sites nowadays. Similarly, brick and mortar can be used to describe a traditional business that serves its customers in a building as opposed to online businesses we are so accustomed nowadays. Distance learning is an virtual online mode of learning. You do not get to build bonds (network) with other students online. In a physical school, you get to do all these. I hope you are clearer now. Cheers, Lance