It’s important that your postgraduate programme meets your needs and priorities – here are five things to consider when choosing between learning on campus and online.

Studying online and in person both give students high quality teaching experiences. Both can give you a highly collaborative educational environment as part of a vibrant cohort of students. But there are also clearly differences between these two teaching methods, and different people will prefer different styles of learning.

There are several factors to keep in mind when choosing how you’re going to study. We’ve rounded up five things you might want to consider when you’re looking for a programme to study.

1. How much flexibility do you need?

Online learning lets you choose when and where you study, with no fixed schedule. You can read the course material, watch lectures and contribute to discussions when it suits you. Many of our online students study from home or from their workplaces – you can even study on the move. You will study at your own pace and your own schedule. This flexibility also means that you will need to carefully plan and manage your own time, and find the right balance between studying and other commitments.

Studying on campus can give you a more ‘hands-on’ learning environment. You will meet regularly with your peers and teaching staff in a classroom or lecture theatre, where you can discuss your academic topics in real time. This involves a more rigid schedule, with teaching at set times – so it may be harder to fit this around other responsibilities such as work.

2. How will it affect the cost of studying?

Learning online, you can save on all the added costs involved in on-campus studying, such as accommodation and transport costs. The flexibility of online learning may also mean that you can continue to work while you study. This is an important consideration, and it may allow you to more easily access your studies.

You should also consider whether you qualify for a scholarship. More information about funding options is available on our scholarships and funding pages.

Search for bursaries, scholarships and other financial aid

3. Will your location impact your decision?

The University of Edinburgh sits in the heart of the city of Edinburgh. Studying on our campuses gives you access to all that Scotland’s capital city has to offer. The city is ranked the 16th most student-friendly city – and second in the UK. From the world’s biggest celebration of arts and culture every August to beautiful parks and green spaces all over the city, there is something for everyone.

While studying on-campus you’ll also  have direct access to our state-of-the-art library, IT resources and study spaces.

Campus virtual visit

Studying online has its location advantages too. Learning remotely means you can stay at home or even travel around the world while continuing your studies. The option to study without having to relocate is a huge draw if you plan to continue working, taking care of family, or simply want to avoid commuting to class.

4. What is your preferred style of studying?

Studying online is often self-paced and requires a level of self-motivation to keep on track with your studies. Studying in person allows you to be tapped in to the classroom with fewer distractions while you are learning. It’s important to consider what your learning style is and what type of studies may fit your needs. If you require more structure and peer engagement, studying on-campus may be the choice for you.

5. What’s going to work for you?

Taking all these factors into consideration, take a look at which postgraduate programmes are available through each delivery method. And whether you study online or in person, when you complete your studies successfully, you will graduate with a recognised qualification from the university ranked 22nd in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024). We’re ranked in the top 30 for medicine, in the top 10 for veterinary science, and in the top 50 universities in the world for graduate employability.

Explore postgraduate programmes at the University of Edinburgh