Pros and Cons of Part-Time Study

If you want to do a degree but you’re not in the position to attend university full-time because of other commitments such as a job or a family, then perhaps part-time study is for you. After all, whether you study full-time or part-time, the qualification at the end is the same.

There are differences between studying full-time and part-time though, and I’ll have a look at some of the pros and cons of part-time study below.

Pros and part-time study

You can live at home

Most part-time students are a bit older and therefore, while younger ones may be thrilled at the thought of leaving home for the first time, older ones are pleased they don’t have to leave home and go and live in a room in student accommodation.

While most student accommodation is perfectly pleasant, part-time students on the whole will be enjoying their nice big double bed in their own bedroom, even those who have to share it with a partner, children or pets.

Cash concerns

Because you’ll be studying fewer units at a time, you’ll be paying less in tuition fees per year. Your degree will cost the same overall but the payments will be spread out for longer.

Add to this the fact you’ll have more time to work around your studies, part-time studying can be the solution to the problem of how to afford to do a degree.

A part-time degree is less intense

Although no one’s saying a part-time degree is easy, it is less intense than a full-time one. You’ll still be expected to study hard if you want to graduate with a good grade but you’ll have less coursework, fewer assignments and fewer contact hours than if you were studying full-time.

Cons of part-time study

Your degree will take longer

Just because you’re only at university for half the time, that doesn’t mean you’re only doing half a degree. You’re doing a full degree over a longer period of time, that’s all. This means that any friends you have at university who are there full-time will graduate before you and get their degree first.

While we’re not suggesting getting a degree is a competition into who can get theirs first, you may feel a bit left behind.

Time Management

There’s a reason there’s a saying, ‘If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.’ Busy people are used to fitting in tons of stuff and people often find when they have loads of time, they still manage not to do everything they need to do.

So, if you’re doing a part-time degree, it’s easy to let your studies get put to one side while you deal with other commitments, thinking you’ve got tons of time to get your coursework done. Of course, what happens is, it keeps getting left behind until suddenly the deadline is looming and you’re forced to pull an all-nighter.

Juggling a part-time degree around family or work commitments can take a lot of time management skills.

A part-time degree can be lonely

Although you might be glad you’re not slumming it in student digs, a part-time degree can make you feel as if you’re a bit of an outsider. Although I’m sure everyone on your course will be friendly and welcoming to the part-timers, the students on the full-time course will have spent more time with each other and will have a closer bond.

Pros and cons of part-time study

As you can see, there are pros and cons to part-time study. One isn’t better than the other though and your home and financial situation will have some bearing on which path you choose to take.