Your guide to balancing work and study

Why balancing work and study matters

Balancing work and postgraduate study is key to academic success, wellbeing, and career growth. Managing your commitments effectively helps you stay on top of advanced coursework, meet deadlines and reduce stress.

Whether you’re already established in your professional field or balancing a part-time or full-time role to support yourself, studying while working develops skills like time management, prioritisation and adaptability — highly valued by employers.

Finding the right balance prepares you for professional challenges while making the most of your postgraduate experience. To help you achieve that balance, UNSW’s support services are here to guide you—offering assistance with your studies, wellbeing and personal development so you can thrive both academically and beyond the classroom.

How to balance work and study

Balancing work and study — whether you’re working full-time, part-time, or somewhere in between — requires intentional planning and effective time management. Start by creating a structured schedule that uses time-blocking for both study and professional commitments, ensuring they support rather than compete with each other. Prioritise tasks, set achievable goals and explore flexible work arrangements, such as adjusted shifts or remote work, to help you manage peak study periods.

Where possible, choose study options that align with your work hours, including evening classes, online learning or blended delivery modes. Regular check-ins with your employer and course convenors can help you manage expectations, stay on track and adjust your workload before pressure builds. You might also consider requesting an early finish once a week for dedicated study time or working from home to minimise commuting.

And remember — you don’t have to navigate this alone. Connecting with people who’ve successfully combined work and study can make all the difference. Our Mature Age Peer Support community was created specifically to support students managing these commitments.

7 tips for balancing work and study

1. Consider flexible study options: If full-time study doesn’t fit into your lifestyle, explore flexible options such as part-time, online or a combination of both. This helps you manage work, study and life commitments more effectively. 
2. Establish a schedule: Create a structured timetable that allocates time for work, study, and personal activities to maintain a sense of routine and balance. Stick to it as consistently as possible.
3. Prioritise tasks: Identify and prioritise tasks based on urgency and importance, ensuring essential work and study commitments receive adequate attention. Set realistic goals and boundaries to avoid overcommitting yourself.
4. Effective time management: Use tools like planners, calendars, or apps to manage deadlines, assignments, and work projects. You can also explore UNSW Career Development Programs to sharpen these skills further.
5. Communication is key: Maintain open communication with employers and educators. Discuss workload adjustments or flexible arrangements that accommodate both work and study commitments.
6. Seek support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to supervisors, colleagues or academic advisors to navigate challenges and manage your workload. UNSW provides a wide range of student support services to help you succeed.
7. Self-care matters: Prioritise rest, nutrition and exercise to maintain wellbeing. If you need extra support, UNSW offers free mental health services for all students.

How UNSW's postgraduate programs cater to working students

UNSW's postgraduate programs are designed with flexibility in mind to help working professionals balance study with career and life commitments. Many programs offer part-time study options, allowing you to progress at a pace that suits your schedule. For those needing even greater flexibility, online and blended learning formats provide access to course content and interactive sessions from anywhere, reducing the need for on-campus attendance.

Additionally, UNSW offers short courses and professional development programs that let you upskill in specific areas without committing to a full degree. This combination of flexible study modes ensures that postgraduate students can continue to advance their careers, gain new skills and achieve academic goals without putting professional or personal life on hold.

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