Online learning has become increasingly more popular, but that doesn’t mean all online learning providers are actually worth it. One standout among the options is UTS Online, an initiative designed and implemented by the University of Technology Sydney.
For learners used to in-person courses, or just hesitant to try something unfamiliar, they could be 50/50 on whether UTS Online is worth trying. Designed for busy professionals, this could be one of the better options to go for.
Let’s dive into our UTS Online review to see whether it actually helps busy professionals excel in their careers.
What is UTS Online?
UTS Online is the University of Technology Sydney’s digital education arm. It specialises in online learning, bringing the University’s academic achievements to online learners. It boasts courses designed in conjunction with industry experts, offering postgraduate degrees in various areas.
This can make it a great option for learners who are already used to online learning. With how popular this has already become, it can be a great transition for those already in pre-university online learning programs.
What Services Does UTS Online Offer?
Online courses are what UTS Online specializes in, with these being spread across multiple areas. The main offering here is UTS Online’s postgraduate courses. These formal qualifications span various masters degrees, with these being broken down into various subjects.
Alongside the postgraduate degrees, the program offers:
- Graduate Certificates and Diplomas – These focus on the same subjects UTS Online offers masters degrees in, but are much shorter to complete. They’re more suited to professionals who want to develop specialized skills in a short timeframe. They can also be used as a pathway to postgraduate degrees.
- Microcredentials and Short Courses – UTS Online also offers a range of microcredentials and short courses designed to help people upskill in various areas, like leadership. These are short, intensive courses focused on giving learners the skills they need for their careers.
All of these courses are delivered 100% online, letting learners pursue their courses and degrees from wherever they want. Coupled with these are the various student support services the program offers.
These include:
- Technical Support
- Online Learning Support
- Access to UTS Library Resources
- Dedicated Student Success Advisors
- Career Development Tools
UTS has designed these to make sure learners can see as much academic success with their courses as possible, as well as to set them up for the future.
Benefits of Their Online Courses
As appealing as these services are, is UTS Online actually worth it? From what we’ve seen, there are more than a few benefits to picking UTS as an online learning provider. Naturally, the most obvious of these is being able to learn from anywhere at any time.
But, this can be seen with almost any online provider. What about UTS Online specifically? Some of the more notable benefits we’ve seen include:
- Industry-Relevant Curriculum – Each of UTS Online’s courses are designed to be as relevant to the industry as possible. This gives learners hands-on, practical skills they’ll actually use in their chosen career field. There isn’t any fluff, and everything’s focused on helping them excel in their career.
- Pathways for Career Growth – Speaking of industry-relevant courses, this provides a much better pathway for career growth. Learners shouldn’t have a problem applying what they’ve learned, helping them to push their career forward in time.
- Quality Education – The quality of education learners receive with UTS Online is as high as possible. There’s virtually no difference between the quality here and the quality learners could expect on-campus. UTS is ranked as one of the top 100 universities worldwide, so there’s no reason why learners shouldn’t receive a quality education.
These all make UTS Online more than more appealing. But, that doesn’t mean it’s all great. There are also a few drawbacks to using UTS Online, and these are always worth mentioning.
Drawbacks
Knowing the drawbacks to any learning provider – online or otherwise – helps all of us make an informed decision. If you have any kids enrolled in online learning, you could’ve already seen a few of these. But, that’s online learning in general. What about UTS Online itself?
Thankfully, these aren’t nearly as large or as major issues as could be found elsewhere. Some of the only real drawbacks here include:
- The cost, while worth it for the education on offer, could be more than some learners can afford.
- As flexible as the courses are, they’re time-intensive, which isn’t great for busy learners.
- There’s a noticeable lack of undergraduate options, so learners looking for these may need to look elsewhere.
These aren’t too major, and shouldn’t be seen as too large of a reason to avoid using UTS Online. Plenty of other online learning providers have much more severe issues, after all. The benefits of using UTS Online far outweigh the negatives.
Additional Information
Potential learners would do well to keep a few factors in mind before applying for a course with UTS Online. The first of these should be relatively obvious; learners need at least a bachelor’s degree to be eligible for specific degrees, especially postgraduate degrees.
Depending on the course, however, professional experience might be considered as a substitute for qualifications.
Then there’s the intake schedule. Thankfully, this seems to be much better than many of UTS Online’s alternatives. This looks to be one intake roughly every two months, although the specific dates of these intakes can depend on the exact course. This makes it relatively easy to base applications around a learner’s schedule.
The assessments are also worth highlighting here. Instead of traditional exams, UTS Online focuses on a blend of project-based assessments, group assignments, and case studies. This can be a great approach for anyone who doesn’t do well under exam pressure.
Final Thoughts: Do We Recommend UTS Online?
UTS Online can be a great option for working professionals who want to upskill in various areas. With a flexible schedule, industry-focused learning, and comprehensive curriculum, there’s almost nothing not to like about the program.
Backed by one of Australia’s top universities – and one of the top universities worldwide – it has all the credentials anyone would look for. It takes a financial and time investment, but the courses can be more than worth it.
Anyone committed to building industry expertise who wants a solid education would do well with UTS Online. There’s no reason why this shouldn’t be one of the top options.
