Online Learning FAQs

You will be expected to complete between 15 – 20 hours of study per week, although this is flexible so you can decide when and where to complete these hours.  

The specific details of your study time will be highlighted on the course-specific web page.  

Your study time includes watching recorded lectures, reading, completing assessments and 1 hour of live tutorial time per week. Tutorials are arranged for specific times and days however,they are also recorded for when attendance is not possible. Some courses may also feature online lab practicals which will also form part of your study time and if you have chosen a blended course, there are in-person conferences or workshops.  

Once you have enrolled on the course you will receive a timetable to help you plan your study time effectively.  

Online, part-time postgraduate courses at The University of Manchester give you the opportunity to take full responsibility for your studying so you can best fit learning around your life.  

There are opportunities for live tutorials online however we understand attendance to these will not always be possible around a busy work scheduleso they are always recorded for later listening.  

All the resources you require for your studies are available to you 24/7 so you can adjust your studying to fit around your work and personal life.  

Blended courses give you an opportunity to meet your peers and academics in-person and can either take place at our Manchester campus or at one of our international centres. These will have specific dates and times set. We will provide a schedule of the conferences and workshops when you start your course so you can start planning your trips accordingly.  

On average, it is recommended that you spend 15-20 hours a week studying for your qualification.You will receive a timetable once you enroll detailing how much time you should be doing per week and how much study material you should be doing.  

Our advice for how to manage your study time effectively is: 

• Plan ahead, this is the best way to ensure that you can study around your job 
  
• Set clear goals to help you understand what you need to achieve and when  
• Be organised, particularly with your assessments and deadlines
• Establish a routine
• Participate actively to get the most out of your course
• Connect with your peers and build your network
• Reach out to your academics or student support advisor for any support you may need

Yes! You can still attend an in-person graduation ceremony as an online student. Graduation can either take place in July or December. The awards board and progression panel will decide when you can graduate but you can always choose which graduation season you’d like to join.  

You can find more details about graduation at The University of Manchester here. 

Our online courses do not require any face-to-face engagement however we still foster a learning community for you to be a part of.  

To encourage peer engagement our virtual learning environment features discussions boards for regular discussions and interactions between peers and tutors to create a collaborative environment.  

You will also be able to contact your tutor or dedicated student support advisor anytime you feel you need support.  

As part of the course your tutor for each unit will send out regular announcements with reminders, FAQs and resources you may need for each task. There are a variety of assessments through each course including both summative and formative tasks which offer feedback opportunities throughout each unit.