Online learning has become increasingly commonplace, with students preferring the accessibility and flexibility this offers. To lean into this, the University of Technology Sydney has created UTS Online, a fully online way for students to pursue postgraduate degrees.
As appealing as this is – especially considering the University’s background – is signing up for the program actually worth it? Our UTS Online review goes through what the program actually is and whether or not it’s worth it for working professionals. Let’s dive in.
What is UTS Online?
UTS Online is the digital education program created by the University of Technology Sydney. As one of the leading universities in Australia, the institution has brought all of its expertise to launch an effective and practical online learning platform for working professionals.
The program is based on the university’s high academic standards, positioning UTS Online as a modern and practical solution for the modern educational world’s needs. It aims to offer a seamless, student-focused experience to all learners.
What Services Does UTS Online Offer?
Naturally, UTS Online focuses on delivering postgraduate courses online. These are primarily master’s degrees across multiple areas, with each degree being broken down into various subjects. These include education, business, technology, and similar areas.
Outside of that, however, UTS Online also offers:
- Microcredentials and Short Courses – These are courses designed to be completed quickly, giving learners skills in specific areas. They’re great for rapid upskilling.
- Graduate Certificates and Diplomas – A step up from the microcredentials and short courses, these are qualifications designed to gain specialized knowledge without a degree.
Then there are the various support services on offer once you’ve signed up for a UTS Online degree. These are available no matter which course or diploma you go for, and include:
- Online learning support
- Dedicated student support advisors
- Career development tools
Each of UTS Online’s courses and student support services are designed to be as comprehensive as possible. As they’re developed by the University of Technology Sydney, it’s easy to see why that’s the case.
Benefits of Their Skills-Based Courses
Outside of comprehensive services, UTS Online offers more than a few benefits. There’s a reason why so many people are signing up for its courses every year. A lot of this is down to the flexibility of online learning, but more than a few benefits are specific to UTS Online itself.
Some of the more notable we came across include:
- Quality Teaching – The University of Technology Sydney is ranked as one of the top 100 universities around the world. There are plenty of reasons for this, and it means the quality of the education available through UTS Online is incredible.
- Industry-Relevant Curriculum – Each of the postgraduate degrees was created with help from industry professionals. You’ll learn exactly what you need to excel in your career, and there isn’t any fluff involved. Courses include everything learners need.
- Potential for Career Advancement – With the industry-relevant skills in hand, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to advance your career. It takes an investment, but it fuels advancement and success in whichever career you have.
- Extensive Support – UTS Online offers multiple student supports for its learners. This gives them the best possible chance for success moving forward. These are quite comprehensive, and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be helpful.
Each of these can make UTS Online more and more appealing. When it comes to online learning, it definitely seems like this is one of the better options to go for. But, that doesn’t mean just leaving it at that, though.
There are still a few things to keep in mind going forward.
Drawbacks
These benefits can all make UTS Online seem perfect. But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few negatives associated with the online learning provider. Nothing’s ever going to be perfect, after all.
Perhaps the most obvious is the cost. While this is a common complaint for most postgraduate degrees, it’s still worth mentioning. It can be a prohibitively expensive price for many people. While there’s financing and similar help available, it’s still worth bearing in mind.
Then there are a few other notable drawbacks, including:
- Lack of Undergraduate Courses – As you might expect, there aren’t any proper undergraduate courses on offer. UTS Online focuses on postgraduate degrees, so you might have to look elsewhere for anything else.
- Time Commitment – While online learning boasts a lot of flexibility, UTS Online’s courses are a major time commitment. For busy professionals, this mightn’t be the best approach to take.
These shouldn’t mean that UTS Online isn’t worth considering. The benefits more than outweigh these. Instead, it’s just a matter of keeping them in mind so you’re as informed as possible.
What Else Should You Know?
Before you decide whether or not UTS Online is the right option for you, it’s worth keeping a few factors in mind. These could have somewhat of a role in your decision, with some of the more notable of these being:
- Assessment – Assessments at UTS Online don’t focus on traditional exams. Instead, it’s a blend of case studies, project-based assignments, and group assignments.
- Intakes – Unlike in-person courses, UTS Online offers multiple intakes spread throughout the year. This makes it easier to plan around a learner’s lifestyle.
- Entry Requirements – A bachelor’s degree is needed for each postgraduate degree. But, professional experience can be used in lieu of this.
These can all be relatively beneficial, depending on a learner’s preferences. But, they’re still worth keeping in mind going forward.
Final Thoughts: Should You Try UTS Online?
If you’re a working professional looking to upskill and excel in your career, then UTS Online can be a great option. The fact it was created by the University of Technology Sydney – one of the leading universities around the world – goes to show how high-quality the courses are.
UTS Online offers a comprehensive academic experience, thorough materials to learn from, and skills that are actually applicable to real-world industries. It’s a great option for any working professionals who want to gain hands-on skills that’ll actually have an impact on their careers.
Anyone in this position would do well to pick UTS Online.
