Difference Between

Full Time vs Part Time Studies

Full time and Part time studies are the option available for tertiary students. Most of the universities, colleges and vocational institutions offer this study option for their diploma, undergraduate and graduate programmes. The difference between full time and part time study is basically on the load of subjects you would undertake during each semester or it is said in terms of number of credits you will complete in each semester.

Full Time Study

If you opt for a full time study you will follow a normal full time load of subjects or units that make up a course. This is the minimum amount of subjects that a student must undertake in order to complete their course within the recommended minimum time frame. The number of units that makes up a course and the number of hours per unit differ from institution to institution.

Generally a student is considered as full time student when he or she undertakes at least 75 percent of the normal load of subjects or units that a student is required to study in any given calendar year.

The study load is sometimes defined in terms of credit hours. For full time study you have to enrol for 45 credit points or more. This is generally three or more units per semester. A unit normally carry 15 credit points.

Full time students have to go through the formal admissions process of the institution.

Part Time Study

Part time study is a flexible offer by the tertiary institutions, especially designed for mature age students, keeping that student populations need in mind. This is popular among mature age students who frequently have to balance between their work and study or have other commitments.

A course of study is considered as part time when a student undertake only less than 75 percent of the normal full time load of subjects or units that make up a course within the recommended minimum time frame. Say, if a course of study consists of 5 units per semester and if you can take only 3 units per semester then you have to enrol to a part time study programme.

Part time study is also defined by some as an enrolment for less than 45 credit points. This is generally one or two units per semester.

Nowadays in order to provide more opportunities for the career advancement of the mature aged students, tertiary institutions offer many qualifications as part-time study package, but unfortunately not all.

Any students can enrol for a part time study programme, except for international students on student visa.

International Students

Most of the tertiary institutions do not accept International Students on student visa for part time study programmes; they must maintain the minimum course load needed for full-time student status. However international students are allowed to work part-time for fewer than 20 hours per week.

If an international student wishes to reduce his or her study load he or she must receive special approval from the university.

The application process for part time studies may vary from full time study. Similarly the entrance requirements and selection criteria also may differ for part-time study. However these are depended on the institution and it varies from institution to institution.