It’s possible to study everything from management to dentistry online these days and due to financial constraints and employment commitments, most postgraduate students now study part time.
However you choose to study, there is no escaping the fact that postgraduate study is hard work, especially when combined with employment. But as Autumn Curtis-Summers found out, it is by no means impossible.
‘I had always considered a career in law and had been contemplating distance learning. When my husband left me it gave me a bit of a kick-start and I decided to go for it.’
After representing herself in her divorce proceedings, Autumn applied for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) at Nottingham Trent University. ‘I enjoyed researching the law to prepare my case, so applied for the GDL and also for a scholarship from Middle Temple. I was pleased to receive both a place on the course and a scholarship.
‘I decided it was a really good way of giving myself the opportunity to develop a new career and in the long term provide a better future for my children and myself.’
With two young children to support and a mortgage to pay, Autumn had to find a way to balance postgraduate study with a job. ‘Distance learning allows me to work full time, keep my children in their own home environment and still work towards my qualifications,’ she says.
Commitment needed
Whilst distance learning gave Autumn the chance to upgrade her skills without having to take time off work, she is keen to point out that hard work and commitment are essential to see it through, whether you have a family or not.
‘The recommended hours for private study are 15 hours a week,’ she explains. ‘When children are ill or work is busy this is impossible, but there always seems to be just enough time to fit in the study. A real advantage is that I can still work and do all the things that I want to do as a mother.
‘You need a lot of self-discipline to keep up to date with reading and assignments when you only have intermittent direct contact with the university staff.’
Help is at hand
Whether studying from a distance or part-time it’s clear you will need to have good time management to keep on top of your work. With less contact hours it can be easy to forget about your studies, though universities offer plenty of support. Those studying part-time or via distance learning have the same resources as full-time students and departments also offer online resources and journals, which means you don’t necessarily have to visit the library; all of which helps when you are working or looking after a family.
At Nottingham Trent for example, students have 24-hour access to an electronic library and telephone support from tutors. They also have four residential teaching weekends throughout the year, specifically designed to support them through the programme.
‘It is important to consider the costs associated with postgraduate study, particularly when you have family commitments. But I do believe it is worth the cost. I am building up employment experience which should result in a higher starting salary once I qualify as I won’t be coming in “green” but with several years of practical experience.’