There are three types of study: full-time, part-time and dual. A part-time course takes longer than a full-time course. What is the difference between full-time, part-time and dual study? What are the advantages and disadvantages of these forms of study and what about the right to student financing?
Full-time
Most students who follow a full-time course are between 18 and 23 years old. They start their training immediately after they have obtained their HAVO, VWO or MBO diploma. The study load amounts to 40 hours per week (self-study and lecture hours). In practice this often turns out to be less.
Full-time: right to student financing
The advantage of studying full-time is that as a student you are in most cases entitled to student financing.
Study load full-time study
A student who studies full-time has approximately twenty hours of lectures per week. There is also self-study and a lot of work with fellow students on various projects.
Duration of full-time study
A full-time study at HBO usually takes four years. However, shortened routes are possible if you have obtained a VWO diploma, HBO propeus or MBO diploma. A university education usually consists of a three-year bachelor’s phase. Most students then follow a one- or two-year master’s degree.
Benefits of studying full-time
As a full-time student, you will receive a lot of guidance from teachers during your studies. You may be entitled to student financing and also to the public transport chip card, which allows you to travel for free (or at a discount) on public transport. Full-time study is a solution for many students, especially if they do not yet feel like going to work.
Part-time study
Part-time studying is intended for employees who would like to follow a training course. You usually go to school in the evening and work during the day. You cover the same theory as full-time students, but the subjects are sometimes covered in less detail.
Part-time & student financing
As a part-time student you are not entitled to student financing. In most cases this is not necessary, because part-time students work and earn money during the day.
Duration of part-time study
A part-time course generally takes four to five years: almost a year longer than a full-time course.
Part-time: late study fine
The much-discussed late study fine also applies to part-time students, although they generally take longer to complete their studies.
Study load part-time study
A part-time student usually attends school two to three days a week. In addition, you are busy at home completing assignments and learning the course material. This can be quite difficult in addition to a full-time job and possibly a family.
Benefits of part-time study
Studying and earning money at the same time is an attractive combination. Sometimes the employer pays for the training.
Dual study
A dual study is a combination of working and learning. You gain a lot of practical experience and are paid for work that you want to continue with after your studies.
Dual & student financing
If you are following a dual course, in addition to the income from your work, you are also entitled to student financing and the public transport chip card. You just have to be careful that you do not exceed the additional income limit: otherwise you will have to repay the student loan. You can prevent this by stopping your student financing in a timely manner.
Duration of dual study
A dual study takes four to five years. During the propaedeutic phase you attend school full-time, but during the main phase you learn part-time and work in a company or institution during the other half-days. You alternate working and learning.
Dual study: advantages & disadvantages
Dual study offers a change between working and learning, which is pleasant for many students. You don’t have to sit at school all day long. You will also gain a lot of work experience, which significantly increases your chances on the labor market. You are also entitled to student financing. The disadvantage of dual study is that there are few colleges that offer this form of study.