Postgraduate Study in 2022 – Closer to Home Than You Think

Alex's story...

Around 18 months ago, Alex was enjoying the stability of his work life. He always intended to pursue postgraduate study after finishing his Bachelors degree, but didn’t want to move away again, as he was steadily building up savings for a house deposit.

He knew he was lucky to have a steady job, however, he didn’t want to remain in his current role forever. He thought a Masters degree would help him take his career to the next level.

Although he had a problem, none of the universities that offered his field of study were located nearby. Alex was also wary of committing to full-time, campus-based study with the uncertainty of the pandemic still looming on the horizon.

As with every diligent student, Alex had done his fair share of research into the course he would like to study in the New Year, a time he always associated with new challenges. During his research, he stumbled across the possibility of online study, something he had never fully considered before.

A few months drifted by, punctuated by more pandemic uncertainty and the dawning realization that his dream of postgraduate study was not getting any closer – he knew he had to act. So, Alex resolved to look further into the area of fully online study in earnest. This would, of course, mean that Alex would not need to move away; and he wouldn’t have to sacrifice his secure job for the prospect of another after graduating.

Alex realized he could study in the evenings and around his shifts at work. He knew it would be a challenge, but Alex was determined to use postgraduate study as the stepping stone to his planned career progression.

He discovered that the University of Essex Online offered him the ideal scenario: fully flexible online learning with no requirement to visit a lecture theatre or attend in-person seminars. What’s more, their next intake was in January!

Reasons to consider online postgraduate study

Alex certainly isn’t alone in his thinking that moving away from home isn’t always the best option when it comes to postgraduate study. He shares similar anxieties to many graduates who are unsure about how the pandemic might impact their studies, and how further learning may affect his working life.

Flexible, 100% online study puts all of these concerns to rest.

The rewards of postgraduate study are well documented:

Postgraduate courses can unlock new career paths in subjects as diverse as law, healthcare, and psychology – or even nursing and infection control.
On average, postgraduates earn an additional £5,600 per year compared to graduates (Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2021).
You can now access government-backed Masters degree loans of up to £11,222.

Why choose the University of Essex Online?

By studying with Essex Online you’ll be joining an institution that puts student success and student satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. What’s more, we’ve been recognized as one of the top 30 universities in the UK (Complete University Guide 2022)!

Dedicated to online course delivery

All our teaching materials have been designed from the ground up with online delivery in mind. We’ve carefully developed bitesize study materials to make them ideal for the busy professional to fit their studies into their demanding schedule.

Available 24/7 on any device, our cutting-edge, bespoke virtual learning environment (VLE) will allow you to study easily and conveniently from anywhere you choose. It’s so effective that we achieved the highest student satisfaction rating worldwide for online classroom experience in the Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2021.

Study online, graduate on campus

All of your studies will be completed 100% online with no requirement to visit a lecture theatre or attend an exam centre; and your qualification will be awarded by the University of Essex Online. Upon completion of your course, you will graduate with the same certificate as campus-based students – your mode of study is only mentioned on your academic transcript. You will also be invited to join your fellow students at the Colchester campus to enjoy your graduation ceremony.

Support that’s second to none

We’re proud of support we deliver to our students throughout their studies, from enrolment to graduation. You will be supported by a team of experienced student advisers and study skills specialists for the duration of your course. You will also receive academic support delivered by module tutors who are experts in their fields.

What’s next?

Discover our full range of online postgraduate programmes here.

We offer a wide range of subjects including business, computing, education, health, law, criminology, and psychology.

We have regular start dates throughout the year – but apply now to ensure your place on your preferred intake!

Last updated: 23 December 2021

Applications Advice