How to study for a degree whilst working

Balancing work and study without getting overwhelmed

Whether you can sustainably balance your time and energy will depend on your working hours, the number of modules, your mode of study and your personal or family responsibilities. Therefore, before enrolling, it is a good idea to work out how much time you can realistically devote to your studies and to check how the classes, activities, work placements and assessment work.

Taking fewer modules and taking longer to complete your degree may be a sensible decision. A realistic plan usually yields better results than an overly demanding course load that proves impossible to sustain after a few months.

Is it possible to study for a degree and work at the same time?

Yes, although not all circumstances allow you to do so with the same level of commitment. Working part-time is not the same as working full-time; having a fixed timetable is not the same as working shifts; and having your afternoons free is not the same as also having family responsibilities.

Before you start, consider four factors:

• How many hours you work and how much time you spend commuting.
• What the academic workload for the degree course will be.
• How flexible is the chosen study programme?
• What personal responsibilities you need to fulfil.

Online learning can make it easier to balance these commitments because it reduces travel time and allows you to access lessons, materials and activities from different locations. However, studying online does not eliminate deadlines, exams or the time commitment required.

The benefits of studying online are best realised when there is a study plan tailored to the student’s actual circumstances.

Work out how much time you can actually devote to studying

The first step is not to draw up a timetable, but to check how much time you actually have available. It’s common to overestimate the amount of free time you have because you don’t factor in travel, household chores, rest periods or unforeseen events.

You can work this out over a typical week:

1. Write down your full work schedule.
2. Add in travel time and breaks you cannot use for studying.
3. Set aside enough time for sleep and meals.
4. Include family and household responsibilities.
5. Note down any personal commitments you wish to keep.
6. Identify the blocks of time that are actually available.
7. Set aside a weekly buffer for unforeseen events.

You should also distinguish between free time and time that is actually suitable for concentrating. An hour after a busy day may not be the same as an hour spent studying in the morning or at the weekend.

Short periods can be used to review your timetable, organise your notes or consult a resource. Complex tasks, assignments and exam preparation require longer blocks of time and periods of greater concentration.

How many hours does a university degree require?

The academic workload for official university degrees is expressed in ECTS credits. In Spain, each credit represents between 25 and 30 hours of student work.

This calculation encompasses all the work required to pass a module:

• Lectures.
• Independent study.
• Reading.
• Activities.
• Individual and group assignments.
• Tutorials.
• Test preparation.
• Exams.

As a general guide, a 6 ECTS module represents between 150 and 180 hours of total study time over the period in which it is taught. This does not mean that every week requires exactly the same number of hours. The workload tends to increase when assignments, projects and assessments coincide.

Nor should this calculation be used as an exact individual estimate. The time required varies depending on the difficulty of the subject, prior knowledge and each student’s ability to learn and organise their time.

The important thing is not to judge a course solely on the number of modules. You should also check their credits, teaching methods and assessment system.

Choose a course load that fits in with your working hours

One of the most important decisions is determining how many modules you can take on. Enrolling for the maximum course load may seem like the quickest way to finish, but it is not always the most suitable option for those in work.

Before deciding, check:

• The number of credits for each subject.
• The timetables for the classes.
• Activities that require a live connection.
• The approximate assessment dates.
• Compulsory work placements.
• Any face-to-face sessions.
• Regulations regarding continued enrolment and registration.
• Options for studying part-time.

If you work full-time

You’ll need a sensible course load and a stable study plan. Pay particular attention to months with a heavier workload and exam weeks.

If your job involves particularly busy seasonal periods, try to ensure these do not coincide with too many modules or major deadlines.

If you work part-time

You’ll have more hours available, but you’ll need to take into account possible changes to your shifts. Wherever possible, it’s a good idea to agree a schedule with your employer that allows you to attend classes and set aside time for studying.

If you have variable working hours

In this case, a fixed daily routine may not be feasible. It’s better to work towards weekly goals and have several alternatives in place.

For example, you can decide which tasks need to be completed during the week and spread them out once you know your shifts, whilst always keeping a buffer period free.

Is it better to study online if you’re working?

Online learning can make it easier for those in work to organise their time, as it allows you to access the university without having to travel to campus every day. Furthermore, it can combine live classes with content available for later reference.

Among its main advantages are:

• Accessing the campus from different locations.
• Accessing materials and activities online.
• Reducing the time spent travelling.
• Organising part of your studies around your work.
• Attend tutorials using digital tools.
• Revise course content whenever necessary.

However, not all online degree programmes offer the same level of flexibility. Some involve a high number of live classes, whilst others place greater emphasis on asynchronous work. There may also be work placements, exams or face-to-face activities.

Before you enrol, we invite you to read the following articles in detail, which discuss in depth the main differences between studying online and in person , and how an online university works , from all the relevant perspectives.

Create a weekly schedule that you can stick to

A good schedule should include work, university and downtime. If your timetable only works when nothing unexpected comes up, it will be difficult to stick to it throughout the academic year.

You can organise yourself across three levels:

Academic calendar

Include dates for exams, assignments, presentations and any face-to-face activities. This overview will help you identify the busiest weeks in advance.

Weekly plan

At the start of each week, review your pending tasks and organise them according to their difficulty and duration. Avoid simply writing down ‘study’. Set out specific actions, such as revising a topic, completing exercises or preparing part of an assignment.

Daily blocks

Set aside specific time slots for each task. A study block should have an achievable goal and a defined start and end time.

This schedule can serve as a guide:

You don’t have to fill in every slot. You also need periods without work or study to rest and maintain other areas of your life.

Organise your tasks according to your energy levels, not just the time available

Two study blocks of the same duration can yield very different results. If you try to study the most complex topics when you’re exhausted, you’ll probably need more time and find it harder to stay focused.

Identify the times when you usually perform best and set aside those hours for:

• Understanding new material.
• Solving problems.
• Writing assignments.
• Preparing for exams.
• Working on projects.

Times when you’re feeling less energetic can be used to:

• Organising notes.
• Check your diary.
• Check notices.
• Downloading materials.
• Prepare references.
• Reply to messages.
• Do some quick revision.

It is also useful to break down large assignments into smaller tasks. “Preparing the final assignment” is too broad a goal. It is more manageable to break it down into researching sources, creating a table of contents, drafting sections and revising.

How to cope with exam and submission weeks

Exam and assignment weeks require a different approach to organisation. It is unrealistic to maintain exactly the same academic and personal workload without making any adjustments.

At the start of the term:

• Identify the exam periods.
• Identify key submission deadlines.
• Make a note of any in-person exams.
• Check whether several modules overlap.
• Check the busiest periods at work.

As these dates approach:

• Get a head start on tasks that are already available.
• Cut back on non-essential commitments.
• Request time off work in advance.
• Check the technical requirements.
• Make arrangements for any travel.
• Set aside time to revise.
• Avoid cramming all your revision into the last few days.

If the exams are taken remotely, find out in advance how the online exams work – as they vary depending on the centre – and check that your equipment and internet connection are working properly.

Speak to your employer before the first exam takes place

Don’t wait until exam week to let them know you need to sit an exam or change a shift. Giving plenty of notice makes organisation easier and allows you to familiarise yourself with internal procedures.

Once you have the timetable:

• Let them know the relevant dates.
• Check the collective agreement.
• Ask what documentation you need to provide.
• Request any leave or changes in writing.
• Keep a record of the notices and supporting documents.
• Look into possible shift adjustments.
• Find out if there are any in-house training programmes.

You do not need to explain every detail of your course, but you should provide the information necessary to organise your absences and comply with company procedures.

What rights does an employee who is studying have?

In Spain, Article 23 of the Workers’ Statute recognises certain rights relating to career progression and vocational training.

When a person is regularly undertaking studies to obtain an academic or professional qualification, the legislation provides for:

• The necessary leave to sit examinations.
• Preference in choosing shifts where such a system exists within the company.
• Access to remote working if this is in place at the company and the role or its duties are compatible.
• Adjustment of normal working hours to attend vocational training courses.
• Granting of leave for vocational training or professional development, with the job being held open under the relevant terms.

The specific application of these rights may depend on the collective agreement, the contract, the company’s organisation and the established procedure. The duration and any remuneration for such leave must also be checked against the applicable regulations.

It is therefore advisable to consult Human Resources, employee representatives or a specialist if there are any doubts regarding a specific case.

Seek support from lecturers, tutors and fellow students

One of the most common mistakes is trying to resolve all difficulties without asking for help. At an online university, there are various communication channels that can help you keep up.

You can turn to lecturers and tutors to:

• Clarify academic queries.
• Understand an assignment.
• Check the assessment criteria.
• Prioritise your tasks.
• Find out about the resources available.
• Report any difficulties that may affect your progress.

It is better to raise a specific query when a problem arises than to wait until you have fallen several weeks behind.

Fellow students can also facilitate learning. Study groups are useful for discussing doubts, preparing for exams and keeping in touch. In collaborative projects, it is particularly important to communicate each member’s availability from the outset and to agree on realistic internal deadlines.

Academic support does not mean that deadlines are automatically adapted to each student’s work schedule. Its purpose is to help organise learning within the framework of the degree programme.

Use simple tools to organise yourself

Digital tools can make planning easier, but using too many apps often adds to the complexity. The important thing is to have a clear system for knowing what you need to do and when.

You can make use of:

• A calendar for classes, assignments and exams.
• A task manager to organise your weekly tasks.
• A note-taking app to save ideas and references.
• Cloud storage to access documents.
• A timer to structure your study sessions.
• Collaborative tools for group work.

Centralise important dates in a single calendar and avoid spreading them across several apps. It’s also a good idea to check the virtual campus regularly, as this will be the official source of notices and activities.

In our selection of tools for studying online , you’ll find various resources to help you manage assignments, notes and coursework.

Make sure you get enough rest and avoid a schedule based on constantly cutting back

Balancing study and work takes effort, but it shouldn’t mean sleeping less every day or cutting out all rest time.

A lack of rest can affect your concentration, ability to learn and work performance. Furthermore, an overly demanding routine may be sustainable for a few days, but is unlikely to last for an entire academic year.

To create a sustainable plan:

• Set aside enough time for sleep.
• Include breaks between work and study.
• Set aside some free time each week.
• Alternate between tasks of varying difficulty.
• Avoid spending every evening studying.
• Distinguish between one-off efforts and your usual routine.
• Check regularly to see how your schedule is working out.

It’s not about maintaining a perfect balance every day. Some weeks will be more focused on university and others on work. The important thing is that the overall balance is sustainable.

Signs that you need to readjust your plan

Changing your plan doesn’t mean giving up on your goal. It may be necessary to adjust your workload or organisation when your initial assumptions don’t match reality.

These signs indicate that it’s time to review your system:

• You’re consistently missing deadlines.
• You’re piling up classes and materials without checking them.
• You always start studying at the last minute.
• You’ve been sleeping less for several weeks.
• Your studies are affecting your work performance.
• You have no leeway for any unforeseen circumstances.
• You’ve dropped out of several modules.
• You feel constantly overwhelmed.

Possible adjustments include:

• Reducing your course load for the next term.
• Changing your study blocks.
• Prioritising certain subjects.
• Seek academic guidance.
• Reviewing work shifts.
• Extend the expected timeframe for completing the degree.

The total duration of your studies is important, but it shouldn’t be the only criterion. Maintaining steady progress is usually more effective than taking on an excessive workload and then having to stop.

Common mistakes when studying and working at the same time

Enrolling without calculating the time commitment

Choosing modules without checking the credits, work placements or assessment requirements can lead to a heavier workload than expected.

Planning only for normal weeks

A timetable may seem manageable until several exams and assignments coincide. Your planning must take these periods into account from the outset.

Leaving everything until the weekend

The weekend offers long blocks of time, but cramming the entire workload into two days increases the risk of falling behind if anything unexpected comes up.

Confusing flexibility with a lack of a timetable

An online degree programme may include scheduled classes, activities and assessments. Flexibility does not mean that everything can be done at any time.

Failing to inform your employer in good time

Notifying your employer too late about an exam makes it difficult to arrange shift changes and organise time off.

Systematically sacrificing rest

Using sleep as your main source of free time ultimately affects your performance.

Waiting until you’re overwhelmed to ask for help

Difficulties are more manageable when they are raised at the outset. Lecturers, tutors and university services can advise on the resources available.

How to study and work at the same time at UAX Online

UAX’s online programme provides access to materials, activities, timetables and other academic resources via the virtual campus. Live online classes encourage interaction with lecturers and fellow students, whilst digital content makes it easier to consult and revise.

The teaching methodology incorporates case studies, activities and projects designed to put knowledge into practice. Students also have lecturers and tutors to support them throughout the learning process.

This flexibility can make it easier to balance your studies with work, but each degree programme has a specific workload, timetable and assessment system. Before enrolling, check the programme’s terms and conditions and choose a level of commitment that you can maintain.

You can browse UAX’s online degree programmes or, if you’re still unsure, discover all the courses available in the UAX online university catalogue.

Sources 

• Royal Decree 1125/2003 of 5 September, establishing the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System: https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2003-17643
   
• Royal Legislative Decree 2/2015 of 23 October, approving the Workers’ Statute: https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2015-11430
   
• Reyes-González, N. et al. “Planning and managing university students’ academic time”: https://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?pid=S0718-50062022000100057&script=sci_arttext
   
• Alfonso X el Sabio University. Online methodology: https://www.uax.com/metodologia-online
   
• Alfonso X el Sabio University. Online university: https://www.uax.com/online
   
• Alfonso X el Sabio University. Online degree programmes: https://www.uax.com/grados/online