You have just spent four or five years minimum working flat out to complete your undergraduate degree, so it is understandable if you feel that you may not want to commit to another one or two years of library, assignments and intense full-time learning and even more stress to be paid off in the (distant) future.
If all of this sounds familiar – but you know you want to study further – then perhaps part-time study is the answer.
Benefits of part-time study
To buttress the point of this post, numbers of part-time postgraduates have risen in recent years (mainly due to the increase of funding options available), they still account for around 60% of postgraduates students.
It is easy to see why. Here are just some of the reasons why part-time study may be right for you;
1. It’s cheaper than full-time study on a year-by-year basis.
In essence a part time degree is half the cost per year of a full time Masters or PhD.
2. It allows you to ‘earn while you learn’.
Rather than adding to the ever-increasing mountain of unemployed graduates, working alongside your degree can mean that you pay for your postgrad program before you’ve even graduated.
3. You can gain work experience whilst you study.
Postgrad qualifications and work experience are both hugely important for your future career, so why not gain both at the same time? For example, someone taking a journalism masters could write alongside their degree, or an MBA candidate could continue running a business
4. You can keep your job.
Part-time masters degrees are particularly appealing for people like teachers who can gain additional skills in their subject whilst still working in education. This of course applies to many other fields.
There are no jobs in the country and if you leave your job for masters, the guarantee that you will get another one soon is very slim, hence the best bet is to go for part time.
5. You can maintain your other commitments.
People with children, elderly parents or just people with busy schedules can find that a part-time postgrad degree allows them to balance furthering their education without putting their life on hold.
6. You don’t have to live like a student anymore!
Uni life is fun when you're a teenager, but as you grow older you find that sort of life below pal, especially when you started working. You don't want to live in an mosquito-infested hall of residence anymore. Part-time study allows you a slight distance from all-consuming student life.
7. Its flexible
Part time courses are flexible to deal with. you have various options to pick from. all evenings, or weekends. its could even be combined.
you have enough time to prepare and planned for your courses and assignments. Again you can ask for permissions and also seek time to learn a particular subject better before the next class.
8. Flexible payment
There are various payment options available for part time programs. these include part payment and installmental payments, which are not available for full time studies. this is a BIG advantage as sometimes breaking the money by bits can help make payment easier on the student
Costs of part-time study
The fees for part time courses are higher compared to full time. This is partly due to the expected extra man hour the lecturers had to put in for these classes.
sometimes external tutors or consultants are engaged to takes some subjects.
see Unilag Pg current fees here
Although these fees are paid per sessions, and are subject to change, it is worth noting that many part-time masters still allow flexible payment as earlier stated. On funding, some state do support part time students with bursaries. All you need do is apply for such via your school educational board.
Typical lengths of part-time postgrad programs
When it comes to part-time postgrad degrees, there are broadly two types. The first and most common is the standard part-time degree that is half the length of a regular degree per year and therefore takes double the time. Typically, this means a one-year masters takes place over two years, and so on and so forth.
The second type – and this is often associated with Distant learning/Open University(DLI) and also available from other institutions – is one where you pick and choose modules, which are then taught over a number of weekend or evenings, or even over a few weekdays.
In this case, your part-time degree is as long or short and you want to make it. Your degree is then awarded once a certain number of credits have been achieved, but this can be over the course of several years, allowing those in full-time work to achieve postgraduate qualifications whilst maintaining their career.
The Pros and Cons of part-time study
1. Campus life or Student experience affected
Broadly speaking, what are advantages to some will be disadvantages to others when it comes to part-time study. Where some will want a postgrad degree without the rest of the student life that comes with it, others will miss the campus experience they would have if they were full time. And whilst some need to be able to continue working alongside their masters of PhD, some will just want to get their degree as soon as possible.
2. Limited options
Another slight drawback is that choosing to go part time will limit the options of where and what you can study. Although most universities and schools have a full range of part-time programs, some only have full-time options. So if you have your heart set on a certain university but have to study part time, you may find yourself disappointed.
3. Clashes with work
Also, whilst part-time study gives you more flexibility than full time, it is not completely flexible. Classes will be set, so those who do unpredictable shift work may find it difficult to do alongside their studies without missing crucial classes.
4. Traffic
working and studying in a big metropolitan city like Lagos has its own fair share of issues, and one of that is Traffic.
coming from Victoria Island or from Apapa to Unilag will definitely take minimum of One hour on a good day and then Two hours and above on a normal clumsy day. A trip from Lekki or Ajah is another kettle of fish- budget two hours.
5. Accommodation
As part time students, you can't apply for accommodation via the school balloting. That can be taken care of by the ability to rent a place.
That all said, however, if you want to earn and gain experience whilst studying, the positives of part-time study far outweigh the few negatives, and you should seriously consider it an option that will perfectly balance the pros of getting an additional degree in a competitive job market with the opportunity to continue working.
Are there other pro or cons I missed out?
Please feel free to comment in the comment box below, would appreciate your side of the discuss.
