How Can I Finish a Degree Faster?

A full-time bachelor’s degree course generally takes three years and can take up to four with a placement year. However, it is possible to speed up the process with an accelerated degree course, condensing your studies into two years. You may enjoy varied benefits, including tuition savings and entering the workforce sooner. Accelerated programmes’ structures differ from full-time degree courses, offering another flexible learning opportunity. 

This article explores accelerated degree course options and details where to find them, who is eligible, and the costs and benefits of this fast-track degree pathway.

What is an accelerated degree course?

An accelerated degree course is a full bachelor’s degree course condensed into two years instead of the standard three or four. You cover the same course content as a traditional degree and receive the same qualifications. Still, you do it all in a shorter time frame with fewer holidays and breaks between semesters, longer study days, or weekend study.

Types of accelerated degree courses

Only some universities offer accelerated degrees, but you can find course options in areas ranging from business to law [1]. First, you’ll need to research a course that suits you. Accelerated courses currently include:

• Business 

• Accounting

• English

• Law

• Marketing

• Tourism

• Medical science

• Education

• Creative writing

• Interior design 

You’ll also find differences in how each university delivers an accelerated degree course. The standard model delivers three 15-week study blocks with fewer holidays and breaks in between than a traditional degree. However, this isn’t the only model, and each university may structure its fast-track degrees differently.

Who can finish a degree faster?

Anyone can apply for an accelerated degree course, just as you can with any traditional degree. Whether a university accepts you depends on whether you meet the entry requirements. A fast-track two-year degree course may appeal to you if you are a mature learner with other commitments such as work, family, and children or aren’t concerned with the social side of university life. Completing a degree in the shortest possible time allows you to return to your commitments more quickly. 

Finishing your degree faster is ideal if you know what you want to do as a career and want to get there as quickly as possible.

Benefits of an accelerated degree course

Flexibility and saving time and money are among the primary benefits of finishing your degree faster. If the prospect of a two-year degree course excites you, condensing your studies to finish your degree faster will offer many benefits. Let’s examine these in more detail. 

Time 

A pro of an accelerated degree course is that you finish your degree in two years instead of three or four years. This brings additional benefits, allowing you to enter the job market more quickly than if you studied via a traditional degree route. 

If you are a mature learner with a career and no desire to live the “student experience,” this route allows you to study quickly without all the breaks. It’s also great for people with additional commitments, as you can finish your degree quickly and get back to work, family, and career progression with limited time out. 

In some cases, if you start an accelerated degree course and fail a module in the first year, you can convert to a three-year degree programme instead without starting again [2]. This option is available only at Staffordshire University.

Cost

While accelerated degrees are shorter than a traditional degree course, the teaching is condensed, but the curriculum remains the same, so you receive the same content in a shorter time. Therefore, tuition fees generally cost the same as a three-year course. However, you can still save money because you don’t have the accommodation and living costs for the third year. 

Some universities offer lower tuition fees or fee waivers for accelerated degrees, making this option 20 percent cheaper in some cases [3]. 

Appeal to employers

Completing a two-year degree shows commitment and drive, which employers value. It also allows you to get into the job market more quickly than if you extend your studies by another year. By taking this route, you can complete a degree and master’s degree in just three years, the same time it traditionally takes to complete a bachelor’s degree, making you even more competitive. 

Online learning options

You can also study accelerated degree courses online, allowing you to complete your degree faster and learn at home around other commitments. In addition, some courses include online learning as a standard during holidays when others aren’t on campus. Do your research to determine whether the course that interests you is available online.

Downsides of an accelerated degree course

While finishing your degree faster has several benefits, some downsides are worth considering for balance. Let’s take a look.

Less social

If you thrive on the social elements of university life, you may find this lacking with an accelerated degree course. The busy schedule and less time off between teaching blocks mean less time to socialise, engage in the on-campus community, participate in societies, and join study groups.

No placements or internships

The intensity and speed of an accelerated degree programme mean no time for an industry placement as part of the course. Take time to weigh what this means for you and your career. Employers value experience, so if you can’t gain experience as part of your course, think about how else you might find it. 

Less time off

An accelerated degree course is intense. With more to do in less time, you may be under much pressure and must bring dedication and excellent time management to your studies. While this can be a challenge, it can also be turned into a positive, demonstrating your self-motivation and commitment to employers, working under pressure to a strict timeline.

How to find an accelerated degree course

Universities across the UK offer accelerated degree courses, so take the time to do your research and find a course at a university that suits you. As with all degree courses, each will have entry requirements, and many accept a range of qualifications, including A-Levels, Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC), and International Baccalaureate. 

Like any bachelor's degree, you apply for accelerated degrees through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). You can search the UCAS directory for courses and research individual universities. 

Universities that offer an accelerated degree course

Use the UCAS search function to find courses or do your research. Some universities that offer accelerated degree courses include:

• University of Gloucestershire

• University of Buckingham

• University of Staffordshire

• Coventry University

• London Metropolitan University

• Falmouth University

• University of West London

• Bath Spa University

Can I get a student loan for an accelerated degree?

As with the traditional bachelor’s degree, you can apply for student loans from Student Finance England. Get help with learning and living costs through Tuition Fees and Maintenance loans. Both loans are repayable upon graduation as you start earning.

Get started with Coursera.

You can finish a degree faster in the UK. Still, careful consideration of the advantages and drawbacks is required to ensure it’s the proper course for your current situation and future goals. You might also consider online learning with courses like the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies Completion Programme, delivered by Georgetown University on Coursera. Another option is to consider an online degree course that allows you to study flexibly on your timetable.