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Shoudl I study a Master's part-time or full-time?

If you're thinking of doing a Master's then you might have considered studying part-time, it's a popular option for a lot of reasons. We've weighed up some of the pros and cons:

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.

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.

Do you have any questions about studying part-time? Or have you done it yourself and can share some top tips for other students?

Get lots more advice in our free guide to postgraduate study: https://bit.ly/4gl9d0Z

Abbie
BCU Rep

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