The University of Sheffield
Institute for Lifelong Learning (TILL)

Why study part-time?

There are many reasons why you may be thinking about studying part-time. You might work part- or full-time; you may have a family or other responsibilities; or you may prefer to study at a slower pace than full-time study demands. You might also find part-time study to be the most affordable way to access higher education.

All the advantages of a full-time student

As a part-time student, you enjoy all of the advantages and support of being a full-time student, such as access to computing facilities, the University gym, student support, the Careers Service and so on.

You also get borrowing rights at the library tailored for your part-time status, so that, for instance, the standard loan on any book will be one week for a full-time student, and two weeks for a part-time student.

Image: picture of a TILL student playing drums

Reasons others have joined the University

There are many reasons why you might want to come to university. These are some of the more common ones mentioned by our students:

  • Increase your chances in the job market:
    Higher education qualifications are increasingly required in order to gain employment, or to gain promotion within existing employment. The University of Sheffield is a prestigious institution, one of the leading Russell Group universities. A degree from Sheffield counts for a lot in the job market. By studying with The Institute for Lifelong Learning, you can improve your chances of getting a better job without having to give up your present one.
  • To prove that you can do it:
    You may feel that you missed out on the opportunity to go to university when you were younger. Perhaps you felt the pressure to earn rather than learn. The programmes offered by TILL are designed to provide higher education opportunities to those who, for whatever reason, feel they were denied them earlier in life.
  • Because your children are doing it:
    You may have children studying at university and think that now is the time for you to do so as well. Maybe you feel that you want to share your children’s experiences. Perhaps you feel you deserve the opportunity to fulfil your own aspirations. After all, why should your children be the only ones to wear a cap and gown at graduation?
  • To meet new people:
    One thing you are sure to do while studying is meet new people who, like you, have chosen to study part-time a subject that they find interesting. Because of our small class sizes, students get to know each other well, and many describe the support and friendship of students and tutors as one of the most rewarding aspects of their time at TILL.
  • To discuss interesting ideas:
    You may choose to study for a qualification because you want the opportunity to meet up regularly with like-minded people to, for example, learn a language, discuss Shakespeare, talk about politics, or explore the archaeology of the Peak District.

Because you can!

The Institute for Lifelong Learning opens up the resources of the University to a wide population. Those of you with work, family, or other responsibilities might find it difficult to attend courses during the daytime. Now you can work towards qualifications in the evening. Whatever your reason for doing it might be, you can do it.