Postgraduate part-time study

Postgraduate part-time study generally take two years to complete for a master's degree programme, although some offer the flexibility of longer time periods or require longer periods. A typical programme requires you to take one or two courses per term, with class sessions usually taking place during weekday evenings.

Looking for funding for postgraduate studies? Check out the exclusive bursaries on offer from Postgrad Solutions.

 Pros to postgraduate part-time study

• You can keep getting paid while studying

• Your employer is more likely to pay your tuition fees for a part-time programme than for a full-time programme

• You can continue to progress with your career

• You don't need to relocate for your studies

• You eliminate the cost and risk of searching for employment at the end of the programme (assuming you stick with your current employer)

 Cons to postgraduate part-time study

• It is much harder to commit yourself to your studies and to your fellow students in the same way you could if you attended a full-time postgraduate programme 

• The demands made by the combination of a full-time job and part-time study can be overwhelming. However, it is possible to do both and maintain a rewarding personal life - you just need to make sure you use your time efficiently

• Your coursemates may be only from the surrounding area, if courses are offered in the evening, given that full-time students often avoid evening classes.

Studying part time will be a more appropriate option for UK or European Economic Area (EEA) citizens, who will have few, if any, restrictions on the type or duration of work they can undertake while in the UK. Those who come from outside the EEA will find their work options much more limited by the UK immigration rules. See our Immigration and visas section for further information. 

How long will postgraduate part-time study take?

Taught programmes are those in which a large proportion of the learning is facilitated through classroom, seminar, tutorial and supervised laboratory work and which are at least partially assessed by examination or course work. There are three levels of taught programme: Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert), Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) and Masters.

The learning on a research programme will take place through the pursuit of a self-directed project, which aims to make a new contribution to human knowledge, although it will also usually be part of a broader research programme at an institutional level. Research programmes at Masters level might be called a Masters in Research (MRes) or, regardless of the actual subject studied, a Masters in Philosophy (MPhil), which usually take two years. The highest research degree is the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), which can take up to six years of postgraduate part-time study to complete. Apart from some training in research skills, there will be very little taught content on research programmes. The dissertation will be longer, 70,000 to 100,000 words for a PhD. It should also be original and, in theory, publishable. Essentially, possessing a PhD should mean that you are one of the leading experts in your specialism in the world.

Different postgraduate part-time programmes 

Certificates and diplomas

• PG Certificate (PGCert) or Diploma (PGDip): Up to two years part time
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE): Two years part time
• CPE/PGDip in Law: Two years part time

Masters degrees and doctorates
• MA: Two years part time
• MSc: Two years part time
• MBA: Usually two years part time (some take 18 months or two years full time)
• LLM: Usually two years part time
• MRes: Four years part time
• MPhil: Four to five years part time
• PhD/DPhil: Five to six years part time

Find out more information about studying a Part Time Master's.

Think you might have some more time on your hands?

Find out about studying full time.
Want even more flexibility? Find out about distance postgraduate learning.