A lot of Master’s students choose to study part-time for many reasons, including work or family commitments. There are a few key things to consider before you choose the part-time route.
Pro: Earning while you’re learning
Part-time study allows you the time to work full or part-time, which is really important if you have a family to look after, rent to pay or need some extra spending money.
Plus, working and studying allows you to develop your knowledge and skills at the same time, not to mention the time management skills you’ll gain!
Con: Having a busy schedule
Speaking of time management, you’ll need to be good at planning your time as a part-time student. If you’re planning on working and studying then you’ll need to find time to carry out independent study and complete assignments alongside work or other commitments. Ideally, you should be dedicating around 20 hours of study a week to your part-time degree.
Being a part-time postgraduate student means being disciplined and motivated but balancing this with taking time for yourself to avoid burnout. It can be challenging to find time for everything, but it can be done when you focus on your end goal.
Pro: Potentially securing employer funding
If you’re studying a part-time Master’s to climb the career ladder, your employer may contribute to your tuition fees if you study while working for them. Employers often want their staff to progress within the company. So, if you think studying a Master’s can benefit your company, there’s no harm in asking.
Find out more about how your employer can support your university study
Con: Finding time for student life
If you’re balancing work, study, family life and other commitments, it can be hard to make time to fully enjoy the university experience. Being a part of a vibrant, active university, like BCU, helps as you can get involved in lots of activities even if you are only on campus once a week.
Pro: Meeting like-minded people
Many people studying a part-time Master’s are there because they want to progress in their career, despite other commitments they have. Part-time study can be challenging, so it’s important to form a community of ambitious people to encourage and support you.
Find out more about what it’s like to study part-time
If you’re considering studying part-time then our Postgraduate Open Events are the perfect opportunity to talk to academics and current students about your chosen course and to see if the timetable will work for you.