Accelerated Degree | Should You Pursue or Not

What is Accelerated Degree

Two-year accelerated degrees are exactly what they sound like: degree programs that last two years rather than the standard three or four. Furthermore, an accelerated course would cover the same curriculum as a three-year degree and offer the same credential. Furthermore, while two-year degrees are already available at a few UK universities link to an external site. The House of Lords has authorized measures to expand their availability beginning in September 2019. This more flexible alternative is intended to attract students who desire a degree but do not want to spend three years at university. There is also a monetary incentive. 

Pros of Accelerated Degree

When it comes to advancing your career and securing a high-paying job, an expedited degree is becoming increasingly vital. The following are the benefits of taking this course:

1. Timeline of the Degree: Students that are highly motivated may wish to explore enrolling in an accelerated bachelor's degree programme. This strategy allows you to complete the same number of courses in much less time, anywhere between 18 and 24 months. Most accelerated bachelor's degrees necessitate taking one course every short term and focusing entirely on that subject. You are more likely to understand the coursework chosen because there is no juggling of content for multiple disciplines at the same time. Students in accelerated bachelor's programmes typically outperform their peers academically since the content is fresher during exams.
2. Fewer Tuition Fees: Three-year degree programs cost more than accelerated degree programmes. You'll also save money on living bills – or not have to rely on your parents. How much would a year's worth of your monthly expenses (groceries, energy, transportation, and rent) cost? What would you do with that much money? Are you planning a trip to South America? Moving out of the house and into a fashionable apartment? Alternatively, how about funding your first entrepreneurial venture?
3. Start Career Easily: Getting your first job might be difficult. It's a competitive employment market out there, and finding work can take months. An expedited degree will give you a year's advantage while looking for jobs. Your experience will be useful when your coworkers enter the workforce. Completing an accelerated degree program may also increase your attractiveness to employers. It signifies that you are committed to your work and are serious about moving up in your profession.

Cons of Accelerated Degree

Accelerated degrees have various advantages, but they also have certain disadvantages. The drawbacks of accelerated degrees are as followed:

1. Shorter Period of Time: Programmes for accelerated bachelor's degrees are not for everyone. Condensing a semester's worth of course information into less than two months may be difficult. Students engaged in accelerated programs must be completely dedicated to their academics. Assignments are completed at a frenetic pace that some students may find intimidating. You'll have to work twice as hard on your weekly homework. Any major events in the near future, such as a wedding or the birth of a new kid, have the potential to derail your relationship.
2. Chances to Give Up: The demanding pace of an accelerated bachelor's programme may force frantic students to drop out. These degrees have a greater dropout rate than their regular counterparts. Certain subjects may be especially challenging to learn in a hurried manner. A rushed schedule for bachelor's degrees in demanding STEM subjects may not be feasible. Accelerated students may just learn the material, pass the final exam, and then forget about it. Faster courses are associated with lower long-term retention rates.
3. Tough to Reach the Professor: Accelerated online programmes may admit a greater number of students than standard on-campus programmes. Faculty may just not have enough time to respond to each student's question. Due to time constraints, one Canisius College study reported that students in five-week courses were less satisfied with their mentorship than students in full-semester courses. Professors in accelerated programmes, on the other hand, are not promised to respond to emails within 24 hours or to deliver assignments on time.

In the end, there is no such thing as a perfect degree. Accelerated degrees are an excellent choice for certain people, but they are not a one-size-fits-all answer. Some pupils may benefit from them more than others. Several UK universities, notably Hertfordshire University, Derby University, and Northampton University, offer two-year accelerated degrees.