Convenience

Life can be tough. In fact, life is tough. By the time it would be appropriate to do a Masters (as early as 22, and usually around 25) most people have multiple responsibilities to fulfill, which may include a day job and/or family and business commitments. A part-time Masters can assist in balancing life between studies, work, family, and other commitments. The part-time format has always been about tackling these kinds of situations, providing flexibility whenever flexibility is the only solution.

Part-time Masters programmes are convenient and adaptable, allowing for students to juggle between different activities. And as an added value, this multitasking ability will come in handy at the workplace, too, as many employers will expect you to be able to do several different things at the same time.

READ: The Masters Internship: Why and How?

Availability

Most universities offer both (or the same) full-time and part-time Masters programmes which means that a person has the choice of opting for a part-time programme. Thus, prospective students will not have to make compromises when choosing a part-time Masters programme. This is important because a Masters degree can help you specialise in a certain field or subfield, and therefore make you a more desirable recruit. If you have to compromise with your future career as early as in the education stage, chances are, you won't be able to make it very far. Fortunately, this is not the case with most part-time programmes.

You can choose a university close to your residence, close to work, close to your financial abilities, and a programme close or identical to your initial choice.

Apply new skills at the job

While most Masters students have to wait until they complete their education to apply their new skills to a job, part-time Masters students can implement their newly acquired knowledge and skills almost immediately. This can enable them to improve work processes on the spot and therefore accelerate in their careers much quicker than full-time students.

You can learn a new concept or skill in your evening part-time Masters class and implement it at work in the morning. Just make sure you've paid attention in class. We don't want you to score negative points with your employer just because you were somewhat bored by that balance sheet equation. There's no room for amateurs when it comes to Masters education.

READ: Budget Management as a Masters Student

Get the student experience

A part-time Masters does not mean that you have to forego the student experience and the best part may be being able to enjoy student life at your own pace. You can socialise with your classmates, enjoy university functions, or go out for a coffee after classes when you are free. You can make new friends, expand your social and professional network, or find interesting people to join you in extracurricular activities.

You can combine life’s responsibilities with a calm (or wild) student life in order to lead a well-balanced lifestyle. So when you are free on a weekend, make plans with your classmates to go to a party, invite them over to your kid’s birthday, or simply enjoy small talk with them after work.

It can’t get any better than this.

Employers appreciate the commitment

Completing a postgraduate degree and working at the same time is a double the responsibility and thus highly commendable. While this may sound counterintuitive, employers appreciate the commitment, willpower, motivation, and hard work that an employee puts into completing a postgraduate education while working.

Motivated and hard-working employees are well respected. Naturally, gaining job experience and increasing your qualifications at the same time will score you double the respect. If completed successfully, employers will value your education and the job experience you have acquired while working for them. That may lead to better job opportunities, promotions, and a better pay scale.

Finally, make sure that you have the ability to manage multiple commitments at the same time, and most importantly that it does not massively affect your performance at any one of those commitments as you progress in your part-time Masters. If you find that undoable, then it may be best for you to postpone your Masters for a later time.

It’s never too late to become Master of your destiny.

A part-time Masters may be the solution for the busiest of us, but it could feel underwhelming for those who want the full experience. If you've decided to pursue a full-time Masters, you might want to learn how to cope with work once you graduate. Check out our 5 Steps That Will Help You Switch from University to Work