Online and on-campus study both have their pros and cons. Choosing which mode of study is best for you is simply a matter of weighing up which will offer you the most benefits.
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of online vs on-campus study:
Pros of online study
Flexible:
Perhaps the greatest benefit of online study is the flexibility it provides. When you study online, you’re able to study both when and where it suits you.
Since you don’t need to adhere to a class schedule, you can study at any time of day on any day of the week you choose. If you have a 9 to 5, Monday to Friday job, that means you have the flexibility to study alongside your work, whether you choose to study after work and/or on weekends.
Also, since you don’t need to attend classes, you can be anywhere in the world when you study online. That means you have the freedom to move around without interrupting your studies.
Earn while you learn:
Studying online allows you to continue with your work commitments, uninterrupted. So you can keep earning a full-time income while you study and you don’t have to compromise your income or lifestyle for the sake of your studies.
Access global networks:
When you study online, you’ll be joining other like-minded students from around the world in your chosen course. That means you’ll not only be able to gain a global perspective during your studies, you’ll also have the opportunity to build global professional networks that can help you throughout your career.
Cons of online study
Lack of face-to-face interaction:
Studying online means you won’t be interacting face-to-face with your classmates and tutors in a traditional classroom environment.
However, many online courses offer live webinars and myriad ways to interact with your classmates and tutors, such as through discussion boards, social media channels and online tutorials.
Best-suited to: Full-time professionals
Pros of on-campus
Face-to-face interaction:
In a traditional classroom setting, you’ll be able to interact with your classmates and tutors face-to-face. This is great for students who prefer to communicate in a face-to-face setting rather than online.
Use of facilities:
On-campus study lets you utilise all the on-campus facilities, such as careers centres, gyms, libraries, computer labs and dining facilities.
Set study times:
If you prefer sticking to class schedules over self-directed study, on-campus study is a good option. With on-campus study, you’ll have set times each day for classes you need to attend, and you don’t need to manage your own study schedule.
Cons of on-campus
Lack of flexibility:
Unlike with online study, with on-campus study you don’t have the flexibility to adjust your study schedule to suit your individual needs. Class times and locations are set, and you need to be able to attend those classes to pass your course.
More time/less money:
Since on-campus study requires you to attend classes on set days and times, it means you won’t have the ability to work full-time while you study full-time. You can work full-time and study part-time, but that would mean taking significantly longer to gain your qualification.
Best-suited to: Full-time students
The University of Hull Online offers online masters courses that you can study flexibly online alongside your full-time job and can help you build your global professional network:
