10 Reasons to Study Online
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Posted on 8 Mar '23

10 Reasons to Study Online


This blog has been sponsored by the University of Birmingham, University of Bath and University of Glasgow.


If you’ve decided that postgraduate study is for you, the next question you need to ask yourself is whether you want the on-campus student experience or whether you’d prefer the online approach?

Choosing to do a Masters online is still a popular option post-COVID. The cost savings of not relocating, flexibility in your schedule and career opportunities (you don’t have to study on campus to be a CEO, Environmental Lawyer, Special Needs Teacher or Software Developer), make an online Masters a great way to specialise and learn more about your subject without completely changing your life.

Still not sure? Well here’s 10 reasons why studying online could work for you.

#1 You can get a degree from anywhere in the world

Studying online means you don’t have to move to a different country to get a globally recognised qualification from an outstanding university. If you’re after the study abroad experience, that’s great, you’ll get a lot from it, but if your priority is the subject, rather than the country, then online gives you that, without the hassle of moving. Birmingham, Bath and Glasgow welcome students from all over the world onto their online Masters programmes including: UK, Canada, USA, Germany, UAE, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Switzerland and Saudi Arabia.

#2 It’s easier to keep your current job while you study

While you could keep your job while studying part-time on campus (and people do!), it is certainly easier to make an online degree fit around your working schedule. This is especially useful when it comes to how you’re going to fund yourself. Without the travel to and from campus and the timetabled sessions, you can pick up your studies at the end of your working day and at the weekends without sacrificing your current job or having to manage your boss’s expectations. It’s also a great way to bring real-world experience to the course content and apply your learnings to your job immediately, meaning you can reap the benefits straight away.

#3 It's cheaper overall than the on-campus experience

Studying an online Masters is seen as the cheaper option. The tuition fee is likely to be the same as the on-campus version so you won’t save money there but you don’t have the extra costs of relocating, commuting etc. And if the hours suit you . . . you could even plan your studying around the cheaper times of the day for electricity!

#4 Time-poor students can get more done

We all live busy lives so the time that you have to dedicate to your studies is precious. While an on-campus experience would help you to block out time in your diary because you have to be in for lectures and seminars, the beauty of studying online is that everything you need is at your fingertips. You can simply decide it’s time to work and within one minute (depending on the speed of your technology!) you can be doing your course work! If you’re working, you could even be learning during your lunch break or commute!

#5 An online Masters stands out on your CV

Doing a Masters itself is impressive, there’s no doubt about that, but doing one online equips you in a different way. Not only are you showing that you’re ambitious and want to progress in your career or education, you’re going to need amazing organisational skills and rock solid concentration. Learning online isn’t easy, especially as you’ll be balancing it against other commitments. But successfully completing an online Masters will show employers that you’re self-motivated, great at time management and ready to take on new challenges.

#6 You can study at a time and place that suit you

If you’re a night owl, you can study in the evening, if you’re an early bird, get a couple of hours in while everyone sleeps. If you like the buzz of a coffee shop in your sharpest suit to get you in the zone, you can do it, or if you just want to stay at home in your pjs then you can! It’s all about how you learn best, and the more relaxed and comfortable you are in your surroundings, the better your experience will be.

#7 Studying can be tailored to your unique learning style

Instead of attending lectures and reading lecture slides, you’ll be watching videos, listening to interviews, doing activities and quizzes and having discussions on interactive platforms. We’re not saying that there won’t be any reading and writing, just that, if that’s not how you learn best, there will be alternative formats and because you can study when you want, you can take your time on the material. You can’t hit ‘pause’ on your in-person lecturer (although you can ask them to repeat themselves), but you can easily pause a lecture playback.

#8 Some find it easier to participate online

Studying a Masters online means you remove obstacles you may have come across in your school years such as the person who always got to the answer first or the very opinionated contributor. Online, you have the time to think and craft your answers for discussion boards or virtual chat sessions beforehand, and the hand up function on live chat platforms such as Zoom and Teams might feel less daunting!

#9 You can do quiet study

If you’re someone who gets easily distracted then online studying could be both a challenge, but also an opportunity for you. You’re going to need to be strict with yourself and improve your attention span duration, but being able to study at home means you can close the door, put your phone on Do Not Disturb, stay off social, and just learn.

Also, if you’re nervous about going back to education or perhaps you’re someone who doesn’t like being in a group, then studying your Masters online could give you what you need.

#10 Online learning can be more environmentally friendly

For those environmentally conscious learners out there, reducing your carbon footprint by not travelling to and from campus can be seen as the better option for the planet. According to Open University, online courses produce 87% less energy and 85% lower CO2 emissions than on-campus teaching.

Ready to explore an online Masters?

Find out what online opportunities the University of Birmingham, University of Bath and University of Glasgow. You can also search our FindAMasters online course listings.




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Last updated: 08 March 2023