Part-time Postgraduate Courses: What You Need to Know
Masters Postgraduate Degrees in the UK, irrespective of whether you decide to study part-time or full-time, are highly regarded by employers. They are also popular with international students, indicating the UK’s globally recognised strength in this department.
According to the UK Government’s Graduate labour market statistics 2019 graduates and postgraduates have better employment prospects than non-graduates. Postgraduates are also more likely to be employed in high-skilled jobs, such as professional and managerial roles.
The unemployment figures among postgraduates currently stands at 1.9%. Whereas the unemployment figures among non-graduates stands at 4.8%.
Having a Master’s degree can give you that edge when it comes to being employed as employers are constantly seeking ways to distinguish between candidates. This also shows you have proven that you can commit to a strenuous period of work, such as completing a dissertation.
It can be useful if you are either looking to change your career or to progress in the current area you are working in. It can show that you are determined to improve your abilities in a certain area. It is recommended that you have relevant work experience to go along with this postgraduate degree.
In general, studying part-time for a Master’s Postgraduate Course requires two years for completion. However, this varies based on both the programs and the flexibility of the courses.
Part-time Postgraduate Courses: What You Need to Know
The advantages to studying for a Master’s Postgraduate Degree are plentiful:
- They can increase your knowledge of the topic in question
- Develop a personal interest
- You can gain a qualification (do not worry, it is not all about getting a PhD you know!)
- Improve your career prospects by deepening your knowledge of elements within the course
- Change your career by gaining skills in a new area
- Increase your earning potentia
It is important to give serious thought as to why you want to study a postgraduate degree before you apply. Do not just do it because you cannot think of anything better to do with your time or because a friend is doing the same course. Making a list of Pros and Cons as well as consulting University Guidance Counsellors or close friends and family can be useful here to decide the best course of action (no pun intended!). You need to consider if it will enhance your career prospects and if costs combined with the hard work involved will really provide you with added value and subsequently prove to be a good investment.
The most popular choice for EEA or UK citizens is to study part-time. There are technically no limitations on the duration or type of work that can be done while in the UK. As previously mentioned, they are popular among international students.
How long do Part-time Postgraduate Courses take?
It is important that you pick a postgraduate course that suits your lifestyle. It is all about picking a mode of study that is right for you whether it is part-time or not.
While full-time courses may suit continuing students working intensively for the duration of the programme and obtaining your qualification and degree within a year, usually part-time study is generally suited towards students who have familial commitments and possibly full-time employment. Even though it takes longer, usually between two and four years to complete, the course teaching is flexible with lectures and tutorials taking place usually during the daytime. Sessions usually take place at the weekends and can be recorded for students to access them online.
For part-time students, there are several other modes of learning available and have become quite popular, especially in recent times:
- Blended Learning: This entails students being able to interact with tutors, students and lecturers while working from home. Face-to-face classroom time is mixed with online learning here.
- Distance Learning: In this case students will receive support and resources from a personal tutor. There is no rush or stress! You can take as much time as you need to complete the chosen course.
- Block Mode Learning: This method allows students the opportunity to book time off work in advance as it involves face-to-face learning over a fixed period, such as weekends or consecutive days.
