Starting uni is a big commitment. Whether you’re kicking off your bachelor’s degree or taking on postgraduate study to upskill or change careers, it’s going to take up a significant part of your calendar. But what if you could finish your degree faster? Unlocking new opportunities and advancing your career sooner than you thought possible? Imagine the thrill of reaching your academic goals ahead of time, gaining a competitive edge in your field and reducing the financial costs of getting your qualification. With effective strategies and a determined mindset, you can accelerate your uni journey and achieve your ambitions faster. So, whether you’re coming to university for the first time or returning for further study, here’s how to finish your degree sooner.

Why finish uni sooner?

Why speed up your degree? Here are some great benefits:

• Early entry into the workforce: Completing your degree sooner lets you start or advance your career earlier than others, giving you a head start in gaining professional experience and developing your skills.
• Reduced costs: Finishing your degree in less time can save you on tuition fees, transport costs and other expenses associated with uni life.
• Increased earning potential: The sooner you start working, the sooner you start earning. Simple.
• Personal satisfaction: Achieving your academic goals faster can boost your confidence and motivation for future endeavours.
• Greater flexibility for future plans: Completing your degree faster gives you the freedom to pursue further education, take time off to travel or explore other interests without delaying your career.
• Enhanced focus and momentum: Accelerated programs keep you engaged with your studies. This can help you maintain academic momentum and stay motivated.
• Competitive edge: Graduating earlier can impress employers, showing off your ability to handle an intense workload and your drive to achieve your goals efficiently.

How to finish your degree faster: #1

Get credit

Some universities, including us, offer programs that assess your prior learning and professional experience, allowing you to earn credit towards your degree. At Charles Sturt, we call it recognition of prior learning (RPL). Here’s how it could work for you:

• Previous study: If you’ve done relevant study in the past, you could receive credit for it. This could apply whether you have an undergraduate degree and want to upgrade to postgrad or have completed a diploma at TAFE and want to move on to university.
• Professional certifications: Certifications you’ve earned in your career might help get you credit in your new degree. For example, project management certifications are valuable across many industries.
• Portfolio assessment: In creative fields like graphic design, presenting a portfolio of your work can sometimes substitute for academic requirements, earning you credit.

How to finish your degree faster: #2

Take more subjects

Taking on more subjects than the standard load can be a smart way to finish your degree faster. By enrolling in extra courses each session, you could rack up credits quicker and graduate ahead of schedule. This strategy works best if you have a clear academic plan and are ready to handle a heavier workload.

But before you dive in, chat with your academic advisers. They can help ensure your plan is doable and that you’re not taking on too much. Lecturers, tutors, and support staff can also assist in picking the right subjects to meet your degree requirements efficiently. Getting their approval ensures you stay on track and comply with university policies about course loads.

Remember, you don’t want to overload yourself. That would risk burnout and could mean you don’t get the most out of each subject. So weigh the pros and cons and seek guidance to create a balanced and achievable plan.

How to finish your degree faster: #3

Study over summer

Studying over the summer can be an excellent way to speed up your degree. By enrolling in summer session courses, you can earn additional credits to help meet your graduation requirements sooner.

One of the primary benefits of summer study is the opportunity for concentrated engagement with your courses. Whether you’re on campus or studying online as a postgraduate, the summer session is quieter, with fewer distractions, allowing you to focus more on your studies. Additionally, summer courses often have smaller class sizes. This provides more personalised interactions with academics and peers, enhancing your overall learning experience.

As with taking more subjects each session, be careful not to burn yourself out. Get in touch with support services whenever you need them. Studying over the summer can strategically accelerate your degree progress. However, it requires careful planning and dedication to maximise its benefits.

Need more info?

Chat to our friendly team of uni advisers. They can answer any questions you have and help set you on the fast track to achieving your academic goals.