Part-time degrees

Part-time study is a flexible and cost-effective way to realise your potential, providing an opportunity to do a degree course that fits in around your lifestyle. Our part-time courses allow you to build upon existing skills, head in a new direction, or pursue your interests.

Why study part-time?

Part-time study allows you to complete your university course alongside your other commitments, such as work or family life. It’s a great option for anybody looking to develop their skills and knowledge while working, and offers a flexible way to gain a university-level qualification. 

We are an employability-driven university, meaning we give students the flexibility they need to learn in a way that works for them. That’s why we offer a range of part-time courses and professional development opportunities, including distance learning study where you can:

  • fit your studies around your work and home commitments
  • enhance your employment prospects
  • continue earning while you’re learning.

We welcome people of all ages and backgrounds to study part-time with us, and are proud to offer opportunities to a diverse community of students. It is common to study part-time as a mature student (age 21 and over) balancing studies alongside work. More information and support can be found on our mature students support page.

Browse courses by subject

We offer a range of part-time courses for both undergraduate and postgraduate study. View our full range of courses from A-Z, or search for yours below.

Not sure which option is best for you?

Part-time study FAQs

We offer a range of part-time courses and professional development opportunities, including distance learning study, where you can:

  • fit your studies around your work and home commitments
  • enhance your employment prospects
  • continue earning while you’re learning.

We have people of all ages and backgrounds studying part-time with us so it is a very diverse and interesting community. More information on the support available for mature students can be found in our guide.

 

Many of our courses are offered on a part-time or distance learning basis.

If you go to our course finder, you can type in a subject and find out if the course you are interested in is offered part-time.

For more information on the courses that are offered on a distance learning basis, visit our online distance learning page.

Entry requirements for part-time courses vary depending on subjects; please use our course finder for more information.

If you are a mature student with non-standard qualifications or relevant work experience then more information can be found at Mature students. We are happy to accept applications from people with experience, overseas qualifications and work-based qualifications as well as traditional GCSEs and A levels.

If you would like to discuss your qualifications and suitability for the course then you can talk to an Education Guidance Adviser about your options by contacting the Gateway.

Part-time students can benefit from no fees upfront by applying for government funding* or pay in instalments and spread the cost of your tuition fee. See more about how to pay university fees.

Find out more about maintenance loans for undergraduate degree students and other support available at financial support for part-time students.

* Loans available to UK and EU students only, for terms and conditions, visit: the government student finance page.

With part-time study, you can study at your own pace.

Undergraduate degrees normally take between four to six years to complete part-time, and postgraduate degrees usually take two to three years to complete – depending on how many modules you study each year. Typically, students take 60 credits a year – equivalent to 3 modules. Full-time undergraduate students normally study 120 credits per year (6 modules) and full-time postgraduate students study 180 (120 taught credits and a 60-credit dissertation). 

Part-time students are expected to attend some lectures, tutorials and workshops, with the majority of study being self-learning. For the majority of courses contact time is only 6 -8 hours per week and may be in the day time, evening or, occasionally, weekends.

For more information on the course you are interested in, use our course finder to explore the part-time courses we offer at the University of Wolverhampton. We appreciate that part-time students have other commitments, so for most courses lectures are not compulsory - however, it is beneficial to attend as many as possible.

 

You can apply online directly to the University for all our part-time courses. Simply find the course you wish to apply for via our course finder. When you are on the page for the course you wish to apply for then click on the 'apply now' box and then choose your preferred start date and click on 'apply directly'. You will need to register with the University, setting up a password, so that you can then complete the online application form. You do not need to complete the form in one sitting, you can save it and go back to complete it later.

More information on the application process and the support available can be found in our application guide.

Our libraries combine traditional library services with hi-tech facilities that allow you to study when you need to. Our skills support provision and online library, combined with wireless internet access and long opening hours are geared specifically to meet the needs of today’s students. You can access help with important aspects of study, like essay writing skills, IT support and exam technique. See our study skills support pages for more information.

There are libraries on each of our teaching campuses (Wolverhampton, Telford and Walsall). If you live near to one of our Campuses but study at another then you can use whichever Library is most convenient and can also request and return books to any of the Campus Libraries.

Find out more about our facilities and services.

  • The Students' Union Advice and Support Centre offers guidance on finance, accommodation, employment benefits, health and safety, wellbeing support, and much more. 
  • We also have Regional Learning Centres in Stafford and Telford which you can visit for help and support and which also offer some part time courses.
  • Remember you'll always find a friendly face – and good solid information and advice on any aspect of Higher Education – in the Gateway on the Wolverhampton campus. The advisors can also talk you through details of loans, additional grants and bursaries you may be entitled to.

Part-time degrees generally cost the same as full-time degrees, but allow you to spread the cost of your course over a longer period. For instance, the cost of a three-year full-time degree will likely be the same as a six-year part-time degree.

As part-time degrees are designed to be completed over a longer period than full-time degrees, they make it easier for students to work while studying. Other options include degree apprenticeships and online degrees.