Advice
A lot of Master鈥檚 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鈥檙e 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鈥檒l gain!
Con: Having a busy schedule
Speaking of time management, you鈥檒l need to be good at planning your time as a part-time student. If you鈥檙e planning on working and studying then you鈥檒l 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鈥檙e studying a part-time Master鈥檚 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鈥檚 can benefit your company, there鈥檚 no harm in asking.
Find out more about how your employer can support your university study
Postgraduate Open Days
Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to learn about our postgraduate courses in detail,聽explore our campus and chat with current postgraduate students.
Con: Finding time for student life
If you鈥檙e 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鈥檚 are there because they want to progress in their career, despite other commitments they have. Part-time study can be challenging, so it鈥檚 important to form a community of ambitious people to encourage and support you.
Find out more about what it鈥檚 like to study part-time
If you鈥檙e 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.