Knowledge Hub Why More Students Are Choosing Online Degrees from UK Institutions

Life moves so quickly – blink and you could miss an opportunity. But we also know that life doesn’t pause just because you’ve decided to study.  

Many students are choosing to keep on living their normal lives, whilst slotting education in where they can. And when you study online, you don’t have to spend your whole day walking to and from lectures or studying in a uni library to get a degree.  

You can slot an hour or two of studying in when you get the chance, and when you work best. This flexibility is vital to some people, and online degrees allow you to: 

• Set your own schedule – around work, family, your daily life or other commitments. 

• Study from anywhere – whether that’s your home, your office, or your local café. 

• Balance learning and living – instead of sacrificing one for the other. 

You get the same quality education but designed to fit your lifestyle. With online study you can have your cake and eat it too.

The UK is home to some of the world’s most respected higher education providers.  

An online degree from a UK institution carries international weight with employers because of the country’s long-standing reputation for academic excellence. It doesn’t matter that you might not have stepped foot in London, it’s the expertise and network that comes with the individuals who designed and teach the degree. 

Even if you’re studying from overseas, having “UK” on your qualification can give you an important competitive edge in the job market and if you don’t want to have to move to the UK then your only option is an online degree! 

London in particular is known worldwide as a top leading business and finance hub, home to some of the biggest, global companies. Some of these companies are on our very own doorstep, including Bloomberg, Unilever, Bank of England, HSBC and more.  

You might assume that online study means simply learning theory so you can pass your assessments. At Walbrook, it’s the opposite: our programmes are designed to teach you skills you can immediately put into practice. 

In fact, many of our students have already fed back that they are applying the information they’ve learnt from the first few modules into their current role. That’s the beauty of online study and working at the same time: the skills are solidified in your mind through applying them in real scenarios.  

For students, this means learning you can apply directly to your career even before you graduate.

And at Walbrook, you'll get additional support from our careers service for online students.

Traditional or campus master's degrees can cost anywhere from £8,000 to £80,000+ and that's only for students who live in the UK.  

For international students you’re looking at £15,000 to £80,000+.  Plus the cost of visas and travel etc.  

That’s a lot of money, and it’s partly due to learning on campus and the overheads that a large university or degree provider has. 

Let’s also bear in mind that’s just for the tuition fees! Never mind the cost of student accommodation, textbooks, travel and other hidden campus costs.  

Instead, when you study online, you get the prestige of a UK education with fewer financial barriers. Some providers, like us, also offer different payment plans, and allow Student Finance Company loans making it even more accessible. At Walbrook, our tuition fees are clear and competitive, with the option to pay per module or in full with a reduction. Our fees are also the same for UK and international students – making British education accessible worldwide. 

It’s a common misconception that online study can be isolating and lonely. Here at Walbrook, we have 12 start dates a year that align with our module start dates, so whenever you start a module, you’ll study alongside a cohort of students studying the same module at the same time. And every module you study has a dedicated community space where you can meet your classmates. In fact, some of our assessments require you to take part in these communities, meaning that the whole student group connects with one-another.  

One of the best things about studying online, is that your classmates aren’t limited to one city they can be based all over the world. This creates a global learning network where you: 

• Share perspectives from different countries and industries 

• Build international connections 

• Learn in a more inclusive, collaborative environment 

It’s a uniquely modern kind of student life. 

If you’re looking for an online degree, I’d highly recommend asking them about the community spaces available and how they encourage you to engage with each other. You’ll feel most confident in your programme with that support network available to you.  

In the past, workers would stay in roles for a long time and develop their skills with one company. This is becoming rarer due to numerous reasons, including lower job security and more competitive promotion opportunities. Employers have the space to be picky about who they hire, so it’s up to you to prove you have what it takes. 

We’re increasingly being told by employers that they value graduates who can: 

• Adapt to digital environments 

• Manage their own workload and deadlines 

• Are driven and ambitious  

• Go the extra mile in self-development 

• Collaborate remotely 

By studying online, you’re not just earning a degree you’re also proving you have the skills for the modern workplace – not just for now but also in the future. You’ll make yourself invaluable to the business, so you can apply for those promotions with success.