Part-time or full-time courses?

Written by Adele Ong - 13 September 2006

Working professionals who intend to further their studies through a diploma, undergraduate or post-graduate course that will stretch over a year or a few years must decide between studying full-time and part-time. What points must you bear in mind when making that choice?

If you are considering part-time studies, ask yourself:

"How much energy and time can I spare?"

Working full-time and studying part-time is not a light undertaking. Many people feel mentally and/or physically drained at the end of a tough day's work. It takes gritty determination to finish up at the office, then slog through more hours in an evening class where you are expected to absorb information, be creative and think on your feet, and participate by contributing your own ideas in discussions!

Hint: Before embarking on lengthy part-time studies, go on a trial run with a short-term evening programme (perhaps one lasting eight weeks, or even a leisure or hobby programme) to see how your body and mind handle it.

"What about family and work commitments?"

Many part-time programmes include classes held not only in the evening, but also over several hours on weekends. If you have a family, you may find that the evening classes already take you away from them too much. What if you disappear for hours on weekends as well?

Work commitments may also hold you back after office hours, or demand some weekend duties from you. Is your employer understanding enough to spare you these duties because of your studies? Will the course be flexible enough to let you make up classes/stretch the period of time in which you must complete your studies if you miss lessons because of work?

Hint: Talk to both your employer and the course provider about these concerns before signing up.

If you are considering full-time studies, ask yourself:

"What are the implications of interrupting my career?"

Unless you work for a company that encourages staff to go on sabbaticals, or is happy to sponsor you for post-graduate studies, taking a year or two out to go back to school almost certainly means giving up your current position and going job-hunting all over again after graduating. You must also have enough funds to see you through the course and beyond, because you won't be drawing a salary.

There is no fixed advice for everyone considering such a move. Industries, employers, technological advances, individual resources and capabilities and economic health all vary from case to case, from time to time. You alone must decide if the risk is worth taking.

Hint: Look at your industry's future direction and needs, your own ambitions and interests, and your financial stability, before you leave your job to take a full-time programme.

"How much shorter is the full-time course?"

While full-time courses almost always take less time to complete than their part-time alternatives, you will find that the time difference is not always enormous. It may be just a half-year less.

So if course length is a factor in your decision-making, check first to see if you can't complete the part-time course in just a few more months than the full-time option. However, if your key consideration is devoting full attention to your studies without work distractions, then by all means go for the full-time version.

Hint: Know why you are choosing one option over another, and decide if that reason is worth the sacrifices that will come with either option.