Advice for part-time students

You can study most of our postgraduate courses on a part-time basis. A small number of undergraduate courses are provided on a part-time basis. Use our course finder to see what the study options are in your area of interest.

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How flexible are your courses?

The majority of our courses that you can study part-time are very flexible. You choose how many modules you want to complete each term.

For most courses you have up to six years to complete all the modules required for your award.

Taught postgraduate and work-based learning courses usually have lectures and seminars either on a single evening weekday or on Saturdays.

Part-time fees

The tuition fees for part-time courses depend on how many credits you take in the year. For example, if you study half of the credits that a full-time student would study, you will pay 50 per cent of the full-time fee.

Once you decide how many modules you want to take, we can help you to calculate the fees based on their credit value.

Tuition fees are payable in each year of study. Postgraduate tuition fees are subject to annual review and may increase annually throughout a student’s period of enrolment.”

How much time will I need to spend on my studies?

The number of hours you will need to attend lectures or seminars will depend on how many modules of your course you choose to study at any one time.

Even if you only have four hours of teaching a week you will be expected to do a lot of independent study, group work and assignments.

As a rough guide, for every hour of face-to-face teaching on an academic course, you will have to do at least two to three hours of other study-related activities. This could be more for postgraduate courses.

If you can, come to one of our open days to discuss your situation with course tutors who will be able to advise you on how many modules you should realistically study.

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Can I get student funding if I study part-time?

Undergraduate students

If you are an undergraduate student who normally lives in England, you can apply for a student finance package if you are studying at least 25% of the equivalent full-time course and you meet the following criteria: you are a UK or Irish citizen; you have been living in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for three continuous years before the first day of your course.

Students who have another residency status could also be eligible Visit the Student Finance website for full details of eligibility criteria. 

Eligible part-time students resident in England starting an undergraduate course can apply for a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan for living costs. Further details can be found on the Student Finance website. 

If you normally live in England you could also be eligible to apply for a University of Brighton bursary which will help you cover your costs in your first year. 

University of Brighton bursary

Postgraduate masters students

You can apply for a postgraduate masters loan to help with course fees and living costs while you study. Your course must be a full, standalone masters course worth 180 credits and have started on or after 1 August 2016. Your course can be:

  • part-time, lasting two to four academic years and no more than twice the length of the equivalent full-time course, or
  • part-time for up to three years, where no equivalent full-time course exists.

Further information on the postgraduate masters loan can be found on the Student Finance website.