Distance studying postgraduate levels have gotten more and more versatile in UK universities.
Evaluation of The Data Partnership (TKP)’s Programs 360 database exhibits that the variety of on-line studying postgraduate programs has been growing for a few years.
There seems to be a transfer in direction of extra flexibility, with 51 per cent of distance programs recorded within the 2023-24 database having two or extra begin dates – up from 42 per cent in 2022-23.
Simply 48 per cent are recorded as having a single begin date in autumn 2023, in contrast with 57 per cent a 12 months beforehand.
The information contains various (personal) suppliers which have persistently been included within the database, and all credit-bearing postgraduate taught programmes of 60 or extra credit.
Easy economics is behind these traits, in response to Simon Thompson, director of versatile studying on the College of Manchester. Prices are going up, however undergraduate pupil charges should not.
Universities have to soak up prices, which have gone up by roughly 1 / 4, in order that they may be seeking to broaden distance postgraduate studying to recruit extra college students and stability their books, he added.
Professor Thompson stated extra distance studying programs at a college may mirror it making an attempt to maintain up with the competitors, searching for to be extra globally outward-facing, or aligning with a want to be extra sustainable and cut back the necessity for abroad journey.
“Lastly, there’s a recognition that the character of pupil studying is altering, that not all learners need or can entry on-campus studying and so having high-quality on-line choices – significantly at postgraduate [level] – works properly for college students who need extra flexibility,” he added.
The figures present that, alongside the Open College, pre-92 establishments proceed to account for about half of all distance programs.
Professor Thompson, who was previously director of the Centre for Innovation in Training on the College of Liverpool, predicted a major enhance in on-line programs within the brief to medium time period, however warned {that a} saturation level was coming.
“Remembering that scaling up on-line studying is logistically simpler than scaling up on-campus studying, the winners on this space can be those that are in a position to market their providing rather well and in the end present a high-quality expertise which continues to draw learners,” he stated.
The most well-liked topic areas for postgraduate distance programs for 2023-24 are training, regulation, and enterprise and administration, in response to the Programs 360 knowledge.
The figures are excellent news for college students who can have considerably extra selection of their research, in response to Professor Thompson – and can enable universities to succeed in a extra various vary of learners.
Though this transition may be difficult for some teachers, there may be sufficient experience within the sector to assist workers, he added.
“We mustn’t overlook that there’s now a rising variety of educational workers who’re snug and able to working in a mixed-modal greater training educating surroundings and this can solely enhance because the enlargement of on-line and blended portfolios continues and extra alternatives to show in these areas current themselves.”
patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com
