How Can I Study Online at the University of Edinburgh?

Updated

The University of Edinburgh offers online postgraduate study that you can take at your own pace, leading to an internationally recognised postgraduate qualification. This route suits you if you want a University of Edinburgh degree but cannot relocate to Edinburgh or need to fit study around work and other commitments. The main entry point is the Postgraduate online learning section of study.ed.ac.uk, and you should check the specific programme page for its start dates, entry requirements and how study is delivered before applying.

What online study actually means here

Online learning at Edinburgh is presented as a way to study "at your own pace" for a postgraduate qualification. That distinguishes it from the on-campus taught and research programmes listed alongside it on the same site.

The site separates its study options into distinct categories, which helps you pick the right one:

  • Undergraduate – on-campus degrees
  • Postgraduate taught – on-campus master's-type study
  • Postgraduate research – on-campus doctoral study
  • Postgraduate online learning – study online, at your own pace, for an internationally recognised postgraduate qualification
  • English language education – general and specialist English courses
  • International Foundation Programme – a full-time, one-year preparation programme
  • Study abroad and exchange – a year or semester in Edinburgh
  • Summer School – short seasonal study
  • Short courses – hundreds of courses, online or on campus, for lifelong learning

If your goal is a postgraduate qualification without moving to Edinburgh, the online learning category is the one to start from.

Flexible study options

Edinburgh states that it offers a variety of flexible study options, including for-credit and not-for-credit. This matters because it changes what you get at the end:

  • For-credit study counts towards a qualification, so it is the route to a postgraduate award.
  • Not-for-credit study lets you take the learning without accumulating academic credit towards a degree.

Short courses are also offered both online and on campus, and are described as supporting lifelong learning — useful if you want to build knowledge or progress your career without committing to a full postgraduate programme.

Who online study is designed for

The site lists dedicated advice and support pages for several groups, including:

  • Online learners
  • Mature applicants
  • International students
  • New students and current students
  • Teachers and careers staff
  • Parents and supporters of undergraduate applicants

If you are an online learner, the "Online learners" advice page is the one aimed at you. International students have a separate support section covering application support and visa and immigration requirements — worth checking, since visa rules depend on whether you study in Edinburgh or online from your home country.

How to move from interest to application

  1. Go to the degree finder on study.ed.ac.uk and set Study level to the postgraduate option that matches your goal.
  2. Use the search term field to find your subject, then open the individual programme page.
  3. Confirm on that page how the programme is delivered, its entry requirements and its start dates — the site's overview does not carry these per-programme details.
  4. Check the admissions policies and procedures page for applicant terms and conditions.
  5. If you are an international applicant, read the international students support page before applying.
  6. If you are returning to study after a break, read the mature applicants advice.

Common sticking points

  • "At your own pace" is not the same as "no deadlines." Programme pages set the actual schedule; check them rather than assuming full flexibility.
  • For-credit vs not-for-credit changes your outcome. Decide whether you need a qualification or just the learning before you enrol.
  • Online does not automatically mean no visa questions. If you are an international student, confirm your situation through the international students pages.
  • Entry requirements are programme-specific. The study.ed.ac.uk overview describes categories of study, not the requirements for any single programme.

The site was published with this content on Monday 11 November 2024, so always treat the individual programme page as the current source when you apply.