Key Difference – Full Time vs Part Time Studies
Full time and Part time studies are the options 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 a load of subjects you would undertake during each semester, or it is said in terms of a number of credits you will complete in each semester.
What is a 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 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.
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 enroll for 45 credit points or more. This is three or more units per semester. A unit normally carries 15 credit points. Full-time students have to go through the formal admissions process of the institution.
What is a 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 undertakes 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 three units per semester, then you have to enroll to a part-time study programme. Part-time study is also defined by some as an enrollment for less than 45 credit points. This is 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 the student visa.
Most of the tertiary institutions do not accept International Students on a 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.
What is the Difference between Full Time and Part Time Study?
Definitions of Full-Time and Part-Time Study:
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.
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.
Characteristics of Full Time and Part Time Study:
Availability:
Full-Time Study: A Full-time study is available in internal, external, online and mixed modes.
Part Time Study: Similarly, Part-time study is also available in internal, external, online and mixed modes.
Time Frame:
Full-Time Study: Full-time courses can be finished within a shorter time frame.
Part Time Study: Students who study part time will take longer to finish their course than the time taken for full-time, students.
Flexibility:
Full-Time Study: Full-time students have to take full-time study load and complete within the recommended number of sessions.
Part Time Study: Part-time students have the flexibility to enroll in the number of subjects that suit them.
Courses:
Full-Time Study: Full-time students have a wider choice of courses.
Part Time Study: Part-time student has only limited number of courses on offer.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Physical Sciences Classroom” by StFX – StFX. [Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons
2. “Work in the computer lab” by MCPearson – Own work. [CC BY-SA 3.0] via Wikimedia Commons
