Promoted by University of Bath

Working professionals love online degrees. Here’s why.

Partner Content

In 2019, no one should have to choose between their education and career.

Online education, from primary school to PhD, is booming. In the US, government data from 2018 shows that during 2016-17, students enrolling exclusively online grew by 15.4 percent, or about one in six students. More than 6.3 million students took at least one distance education course in the Fall 2016 semester, comprising 31.6 percent of all higher education enrolments, according to an annual survey by the Babson Survey Research Group and the Online Learning Consortium.

In the UK, online learning made up eight percent of all taught provision at UK higher education providers. More than four out of five students are aged 25 and over, generally encompassing the adult learners working full-time jobs or juggling parenting responsibilities, according to the 2018 report from its higher education representative body, Universities UK.

The factors drawing this demographic to this new form of higher education are many and varied. Primary among them is the ability to boost their careers without letting life get in the way.

University of Bath

An online Master’s degree does exactly that. In a world where the Master’s is now the new entry credential that commands a wage premium (not to mention the soaring costs of brick and mortar education), enrolling in one is the next logical step for the professional looking to reinvent, recharge or progress upwards in their careers. Why disrupt your job, lose your livelihood or have to select an institution purely based on convenience of location, when technology has progressed enough to enable you to shape education around your schedule instead?

The University of Bath and its suite of online Master’s degrees offers a window into how and why this form of advanced learning works.

For one, it has a string of impressive performances in league rankings, a testament to its world-class undergraduate teaching and learning. It’s ranked sixth in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2020, fourth out of 122 UK universities in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2018 and has previously been awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework.

When it comes to equipping people to thrive and become future leaders, this UK university’s track record is well-proven. With this admirable history, taking world-class courses online was the next step. And Bath left no aspect of quality behind.

Three MSc degree courses are currently offered here: Applied Economics (Banking and Financial Markets), Computer Science and Entrepreneurship Management and Innovation. All three are unique subject areas that correspond with some of the hottest industry topics today. Each degree is as immersive as the on-site courses. So, although the degree is taught virtually, you can always engage with your content, lecturers and fellow students.

Always putting careers at the forefront, these online Master’s are designed to place students at an advantage in the labour market. Real world practicality and examples, as well as case studies, are included in these Master’s courses. For the Applied Economics online MSc, active, published researchers in economics lead the course, ensuring students receive the theoretical knowledge, practical skills and confidence employers seek.

University of Bath

The Computer Science online MSc, on the other hand, is taught by inspirational research academics, whose work leads the way in AI, Human Computer Interaction and cybersecurity. Its curriculum is industry-informed. Through the university’s leadership of the Institute of Coding, an initiative made up of universities and corporations committed to plugging the digital skills gap, it’s aware of the expertise employers need most. A number of recent computer science graduates have capitalised on this industry connection, landing coveted spots with the likes of Imagination Technologies, Electronic Arts, BAE Systems, KPMG and Nokia.

The Entrepreneurship Management and Innovation online MSc is delivered for by the Bath School of Management, ranked second in the UK for Business and Management Studies in 2020 by both The Complete University Guide and The Times and Sunday Times Good Universities Guide.

Accredited by EQUIS, the school is benchmarked against international standards in terms of governance, programmes, students, faculty, research, internationalisation, ethics, responsibility and sustainability, as well as engagement with the world of practice.

No matter what your career aspirations or commitments, the University of Bath online offers a win-win solution for anyone seeking to advance their knowledge without disrupting their career. With an impressive track record and comprehensively designed courses, study online here to thrive and bring your ambitions to the next level.

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