coursework based

Webinar Invitation: Explore the UK and other Study Destinations

Course-based Vs Research-based Master’s Programs || Which Is Best For You?

Ebere Nsofor

• Share on Facebook

Table of Content

If getting a master’s degree is in your academic or career plans, then you need to fully understand what it entails. Getting a master’s degree is a great way to advance your career or kick-start a new career. However, there are different types of master’s degrees offered by universities. This article will discuss course-based and research-based masters to help you understand what they mean and how they are different.

Course-based programs

Course-based master’s degree programs are designed for students who want to learn new skills, gain knowledge, and advance their careers. These structured programs offer students a set of courses to complete for their degree. The courses are designed to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen careers.

Research-based programs

Research-based master’s degree programs are designed for students who want to conduct research, develop new knowledge, and contribute to their field. These programs are research-intensive and require students to conduct original research and write a thesis or dissertation. The research conducted should contribute to the knowledge base of the field.

Top Frequently Asked Questions on Study Abroad For International Students

Differences between Course-Based and Research-Based Master’s Degree Programs

Though both programs have their unique advantages, they are tailored to different career goals and learning styles. Here are four major differences between course-based programs and research-based degree programs:

• Approach to learning

The main difference between course-based and research-based master’s degree programs is the approach to learning. As earlier stated, course-based programs offer students a set of courses to complete for their degree. These programs are often referred to as taught master’s programs and are structured around a predetermined curriculum.

On the other hand, research-based programs are not structured, and students have to conduct their research independently. This program requires students to be self-motivated, independent, and have excellent research skills.

2. Duration

Another difference between course-based and research-based master’s degree programs is the length of time it takes to complete the program. Course-based programs typically take one to two years to complete, while research-based programs usually take two to three years to complete due to the time required for extensive research. Course-based programs are an excellent choice for people looking to advance their careers quickly.

5 Study Abroad Application Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

3. Purpose  

Course-based master’s degree programs are designed to equip students with practical skills and knowledge directly applicable to their chosen profession. Students can choose from a variety of courses and tailor their programs to meet their interests and career goals.

Research-based programs, however, are research-intensive and require students to conduct original research and write a thesis or dissertation. Students have the freedom to choose their research topic and conduct their research independently. Research-based master’s degrees are best for students interested in pursuing academic careers or roles that require advanced research skills.

4. Curriculum and Assessment

While course-based programs may include a small research project, the emphasis is primarily on coursework. The majority of your time in a course-based program is spent attending lectures, seminars, and workshops. Assessment is primarily through exams, coursework, and projects.

Research-based or thesis-based programs are centred on independent research and academic exploration. The core of the program is the research thesis. The thesis serves as the culmination of the program, showcasing a student’s ability to conduct independent research, analyze data, and present findings coherently.

Now that you have an idea of the key differences between both master’s programs, you need to consider your learning style and career goals before choosing one that is right for you. If you’re looking to gain practical skills and enter a specific industry, then a course-based program will be a better choice, however, if your goal is to pursue a PhD, then, a more appropriate choice would be a research-based master’s.

Preparing to study abroad can be overwhelming, if you need further guidance on degree options, application requirements and schools to apply to for your degree or counselling regarding the best master’s degree program for you, please click here to chat with our counsellors. 

You May Also Like: Choosing A University To Study Abroad || 5 Key Things To Consider

Get career and educational articles and insights from our weekly newsletter.

Thank you for subscribing.

Something went wrong.

We respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously

Recommended Reading

• Guest Article , Resources

UK Global Talent Visa || All You Need To Know

Top 10 UK Scholarships For International Students

Gre and gmat || which is best for you, the best of degrees & careers delivered to your inbox.

Study Arears

• Career Beam

Degrees & Careers is a community of counsellors that provides expert careers and education advice.

Get News, Scholarships, And more

What is a Thesis-Based vs. Course-Based Master’s Degree?

Generally, there are two paths that an international student can take in receiving their Masters Degree.

• One way is through a course-based program, and the other is through a thesis-based program.
• A course-based program is basically like your undergraduate degree: you take a certain amount of courses for a certain amount of credit, and once you pass those you receive your degree.
• A thesis-based program differs greatly from that.
• Thesis based degrees require you take fewer courses, and one or two substantially larger and more committed courses.
• In these courses, you perform your research and work on writing your thesis, which is typically based upon an original research topic of your choosing.

How Do You Choose?

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to choose between which types of masters program you wish to complete. Perhaps the most important factor in deciding which type of route to take is asking yourself what you wish to do after the completion of the program.

For example, if you wish to be a teacher or professor or have some sort of job that revolves around research, perhaps a thesis-based route would be best for you. On the other hand, a course-based program is usually completed faster and can sometimes give you a head start in the particular industry you wish to specialize in.

• MS in Data Science in the USA
• STEM courses in the USA
• US Entrance Exam All Basic Details
• How to get an Internship in the USA?
• Know Highest Paying Jobs in the USA

The thesis-based path provides a number of pros and cons.

• First off, it is considered the more ‘traditional’ path. Oftentimes, this is the path to a master’s degree offered more commonly than the course-based.
• Completing a thesis-based program also can set you, an international student , up better to participate in a doctorate program upon completion of the masters program.
• Also, the scope of the research you will perform in a thesis-based program is smaller than the research you would perform in a doctorate program.
• Oftentimes, one of the biggest cons to a thesis-based program is the time it takes to complete.
• This path typically takes significantly longer than the course-based option.
• Also, another potential setback to thesis-based courses is that it could limit your future to research like positions and does not set one up as well for business or management decisions.
• We strongly suggest that you perform some of your own research to see if the thesis-based route is the one for you.

One of the biggest pros of the course-based route is that it typically is completed much quicker than the alternative.

• This works out nicely if you are trying to get your degree in a hurry or if you want to try and receive two degrees, for example.
• Also, course-based usually works out better when you do not intend to follow it up with another degree at the doctorate level.
• Another typically big pro about course-based work is that it tends to not narrow your prospective employment like how thesis-based can sometimes narrow employment to research based positions.
• There are, however, some cons as well with course-based work.
• One of them is that if you complete a course-based program and later decide that you would like to complete a degree at the doctorate level, you may have to complete and/or perform some work to show that you are ready to complete a degree at the level and so you can show your abilities to perform at that level.
• Another setback to this path is that all the learning is done in the classroom, so it leaves out the practical learning aspect.
• It also does not bolster your research skills as well as the thesis-based approach, and also does not prepare as well for technical specialization.

Choosing what program works best for you can oftentimes prove difficult. In addition, it can be even harder to international student loan options once you decide on a program. If you have any questions about scholarships or other options for finding funding to study in the U.S. please visit us at  www.nomadcredit.com . We’d be happy to help you search and compare options for  education loans or study loans , too. Please send us an email at  [email protected]  if you have any questions! We are happy to help.

Places on our 2024 summer school are filling fast. Don’t miss out. Enrol now to avoid disappointment

• How to Make Your Coursework as Good as It Can Possibly Be

Many GCSE and A-level subjects are assessed in part by coursework in addition to exams, meaning that the mark you receive for coursework contributes to your overall grade. Many students prefer coursework, because it’s a chance to showcase your academic abilities away from the high-pressured environment of the exam room, making it ideal for those who don’t perform to the best of their abilities in exams. However, the time you have available for coursework, in contrast with the time constraints of the exam room, can lull some students into a false sense of security. Coursework is arguably just as challenging as exams, just in different ways – and, given the fact that you have more time, much higher standards are expected of you in coursework than in exams. Careful planning and research are needed for successful coursework, as well as strong data-gathering and essay-writing skills. In this article, we look at how to produce excellent coursework, from planning to proofreading. This information might also be useful to you if you’re planning on attending an Oxford Summer School this summer.

What is coursework?

GCSE and A-level coursework typically takes the form of an extended essay or project. Its objectives vary from one subject to another, but there’s usually an emphasis on the student conducting independent research into a topic of their own choice. Thus coursework often takes the form of some sort of investigation; it may, therefore, help to have your ‘detective’ hat on as you explore, investigate and analyse your topic. You can usually work on your coursework at home, though it’s sometimes completed under controlled conditions through sessions at school. To give you a better idea of how coursework varies from one subject to another, here are some examples:

• English – English coursework usually takes the form of an extended essay with a title of your choice. You’re usually given a choice of themes and/or texts to explore, and you could choose a format such as a comparison between a set text and another one.
• Geography – Geography coursework usually focuses on the gathering, reporting and interpretation of data designed to answer a particular geographical question. You could investigate usage of a shopping centre, for example, or look at erosion on a particular beach.
• Sciences – coursework for science subjects often takes the form of a scientific project or experiment that you conduct and report on yourself.

Before you start work on your coursework, it’s essential that you have a thorough understanding of the rules. Failing to conform to the rules – inadvertently or not – may result in your coursework (or possibly even your entire qualification) being disqualified, so it’s a serious matter.

• No plagiarism – this is particularly dangerous given the ready availability of relevant information on the internet these days. Make sure everything is in your own words; you’ll need to sign a declaration stating that it’s your own original work.
• There’s only so much help your teacher can give you . They can provide guidance on what you need to include, and on what the examiners will be looking for. You can ask them questions, but they’ll usually only be able to check through your first draft once and offer broad hints on updating it.
• Check the word count , and stick to it. Find out whether footnotes, appendices and bibliographies are included in the word count.
• Check what topics you’re allowed to do your coursework on; if there’s an exam on this topic, you’ll almost certainly have to choose a different one for your coursework.

Choose your topic wisely

Ideally, choose something you’re genuinely interested in, as your enthusiasm will come across and you’ll find it more enjoyable to write. If there’s something you’ve been working on for the course so far that you’ve particularly enjoyed, you may be able to focus more on this as part of your coursework. For science coursework, you’ll need to choose something to investigate that you can measure, change and control; it should be what’s called a ‘fair test’, meaning that you have to acknowledge all the controls you use in the experiment and why. Try not to pick a topic for which the scope is too vast, as you’ll struggle to research it properly and you’re unlikely to do it justice, and it’ll be hard to keep within the word limit. Ask your teachers for some guidance on choosing your topic if you’re not sure what to write about; they might even tell you a bit about what previous students have done to give you some inspiration.

Plan how long it’s going to take

Never leave your coursework until the last minute, even if this is your normal approach to essays and it usually works for you. Make sure you understand when the deadlines are, including time for submitting a first draft for comments from your teacher. Then schedule blocks of time for working on it, allowing plenty of time before the deadline to cater for any unexpected delays. Allow ample time for making corrections based on teacher feedback on your first draft, and keep some time aside before the deadline for final editing and proofreading. Because actual deadlines are few and far between, you’ll need to take responsibility for the writing process and impose some deadlines on yourself to ensure it’s finished in time. Write down your deadlines on a calendar, with the coursework broken into stages and dates assigned to each, by which time each task should be complete. You can base your stages on the next few points in this article – research and data gathering, a structure plan for the piece of work, writing up, and so on.

Conducting your research and gathering data

As coursework is primarily a research exercise, the research phase is crucial, so don’t be tempted to skimp on it and go straight to writing up. Use as many different resources as you can to gather data: books, journals, newspapers, television, radio, the internet and anything else you think might be relevant. For science and Geography coursework, you’ll need to base your work on a hypothesis, so the research stage should start by coming up with at least one hypothesis, otherwise your research will lack direction. The research phase for some subjects may involve site visits for gathering data, so allow plenty of time for this, particularly if you need your parents to drive you somewhere to do so. If it’s a scientific experiment you’re conducting for your coursework, you’ll need to pay careful attention to planning the experiment using rigorous scientific methods (also noting what Health and Safety precautions you are taking), as well as reading up on the background and theory so that you have an idea of what to expect from the outcome of your experiment. In the research stage, make notes about what you expect to happen, so that you can later compare your expectations with what actually did happen. The experiment itself also forms part of the research and data-gathering stage for your science coursework; in the write-up stage, which we come onto shortly, you analyse and write up the results.

Plan your structure

Once you’ve completed your research, the process of writing up begins. Before you get down to the actual writing, however, it’s advisable to write a plan for how you’re going to structure it – essentially an essay plan for English coursework and other subjects for which the coursework is based on an extended essay. It’ll look slightly different from an essay plan for science subjects and others that revolve around project work, but the principle is the same: plan out what order you’re going to present your information in. For big projects, this is particularly important, because with a lot of information to convey, you risk being disorganised and waffling.

Writing up your project

For any coursework, but particularly coursework based around an extended essay, you’ll need to perfect your essay-writing abilities. For science coursework, writing up your project also involves data analysis, as you interpret the results of your experiment and work your notes into formal scientific language. Follow the links below to find lots more useful advice on writing great essays.

• How to write dazzlingly brilliant essays
• How to write more original essays
• Techniques from creative writing that can improve your essays

When you’re writing up, it’s important to find a place where you can work quietly, without distractions that could cause you to make careless errors. You wouldn’t want noise or distractions when you were in an exam room, so treat your coursework with the same reverence.

Supporting materials and images

For some subjects, namely the sciences and Geography, it would be appropriate to include images, graphs, charts, tables and so on in your coursework. For example, for Geography coursework, your extra material could include annotated images and maps of the site you’re talking about, plus tables, graphs and charts. An appendix could then detail your raw data; if, for example, your coursework focused on the results of a survey, you could put the raw survey responses in an appendix and provide summaries and analysis in the main body of the coursework.

Footnotes and bibliography

As we said earlier, it’s important that you always use your own words in your coursework to avoid the possibility of falling foul of plagiarism rules. However, it’s acceptable to quote from another source, as you would in any piece of academic writing, but you must make sure that you state where it is from and use quotation marks to show that it’s a quote from somewhere else. The best way of citing another work is to use a footnote; word processors will allow you to insert one, and it just puts a little number at the end of the sentence and another in the footer of the document, into which you put the name of the author and work, and the page within that work that the quote can be found. At the end of your piece of work, include a bibliography that includes a list of every external source you’ve used in the creation of your coursework. Stick to a set formula when including books. A common format is: Author Surname, Initial. (Date) – Title of Book , page number For example: Lewis, C.S. (1960) – Studies in Words , p. 45 When you get to university, you’ll be expected to include footnotes and bibliographies in all your essays, so it’s a good habit to get into and coursework gives you good practice at it.

The final pre-submission check

Having completed a first draft, received feedback from your teacher, and honed your work into a finished piece of coursework, have a final check through it before you send off your coursework for submission.

• Sense check : have a read through your completed piece of work and check that it all makes sense. Make sure you haven’t contradicted yourself anywhere, or repeated yourself, or laboured the point. If there are any facts that you may have meant to look up to double check their accuracy, do so now.
• Word count : ensure that the completed work falls within the word count, and double check whether the bibliography should be included in the word count. If you’ve exceeded it, you’ll need to work through the piece and tighten up your writing, omitting unnecessary information, reordering sentences so that they use fewer words, and so on.
• Proofread : check your spelling and grammar, and ensure that there are no typos. Don’t just use the spellcheck – go through it with a fine toothcomb, manually, and if you can, ask someone to read through it for you to see if they spot anything you haven’t.
• Formatting : check that you’ve included page numbers, and that the font and line spacing is consistent throughout the work. Ensure that the font is plain and easy to read, such as Arial or Times New Roman.
• Bibliography : check that you’ve included everything, that the format is the same for all sources mentioned, and that the right information is included for each.

Once this stage is complete, you’re ready to submit your coursework along with your declaration that it’s entirely your own work. Get ready for a feeling of immense satisfaction when you finally send off your hard work!

Image credits: banner

MS in Economics

The MS in Economics provides a deep understanding of the theoretical and empirical foundations of economics and the quantitative tools required for research careers in economics. The program offers the following two degree program tracks, which students can choose from based on their own preferences and academic and professional needs:

• The MS in Economics: Course-based track — An eight-course program, which can be completed in one year, without a thesis.
• The MS in Economics: Research-based track — A twelve-course program to be completed in two years, with a master's thesis.

All students are initially accepted into the course-based track and may apply to the research-based track at the end of the second semester. The decision to accept students into the research-based track is based on performance in the first academic year. Both degree tracks are attractive to students looking for advancement in both professional and academic careers, and both carry STEM certification. 

Upon receiving their degree, students pursue a variety of options. Some enroll in PhD programs in economics or related subjects, such as marketing, finance and accounting. The MS in Economics provides students with an exceptional background for doctoral study. Students may also apply to the department's Neubauer Family Program in Economics and Public Policy (PhD). The MS coursework may count for credit towards the doctoral degree and is determined in consultation with the relevant program director.

Some graduates find employment in consulting firms, government and international agencies. Other graduates pursue careers such as teaching (either at community colleges or private secondary schools), working in the financial sector, or conducting research at various institutions.

Course-based Track

Program requirements and policies.

• Students in the MS in Economics course-based track must complete a one-year residency requirement and must pass eight semester-long courses. A grade of B- or above is considered passing.
• There are six required core courses for the MS in Economics consisting of three required two-semester sequences in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistics/econometrics.
• The final two courses needed to complete the course-based track are elective courses. The electives may be selected from a variety of approved courses within the department, or from approved courses offered outside the department at Tufts such as The Fletcher School, the School of Engineering, or in departments such as Mathematics, Computer Science, or Psychology. They could also include courses taken at nearby institutions, including Boston College, Boston University, and Brandeis University. A maximum of two graduate courses taken elsewhere can be transferred, subject to the approval of the department. Students may petition for inclusion of other courses not currently on the list.

The table below describes how students fulfill the requirements for the course-based MS in Economics, in one academic year.  

Research-based Track

• Students in the MS in Economics research-based track must complete a two-year residency requirement and thirteen semester-long courses [a total of forty-three (43) semester-hour units.]
• The Economic Research seminars EC211 and EC212 : two-unit courses taken each semester. These courses require that students attend seminars and lectures at the department on a semi-weekly basis. Students are expected to read the papers, present a summary of the paper to the instructor and actively participate in the seminar.
• An additional Applied Econometrics elective course:  The Applied Econometrics graduate course will focus on an empirical analysis of the material learned in the six core courses. It will also provide additional econometric tools necessary for students to be able to carry out a substantive research project. Together, the Applied Econometrics course and the thesis will serve as a capstone for the research-based MS in Economics degree. 
• Two master's thesis courses:  The thesis must be a major research project that is conducted under the supervision of a member of the department. The completed thesis must be presented and successfully defended in an oral examination administered by a formal thesis committee. Thesis credit is awarded when a final draft is approved by the thesis committee. It is important to note that a master's thesis must contain original work and cannot be submitted as a paper in other courses.

The table below indicates how students typically complete the research-based MS in Economics.

How to Choose Between Course-Based and Thesis-Based Master’s Programs in Canada

• January 13, 2024
• Office of Outreach and Relationships

Pursuing a Master’s degree in Canada while working full-time can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. One of the important decisions you need to make is whether to choose a course-based or thesis-based program. Both options have their pros and cons, and it’s essential to consider factors such as your career goals, research interests, and time commitments. In this article, we will explore the differences between course-based and thesis-based master’s programs in Canada to help you make an informed decision.

Key Takeaways

• Course-based master’s programs provide a comprehensive understanding of a field through coursework and offer flexibility for individuals with full-time jobs.
• Thesis-based master’s programs emphasize research and independent study, providing academic rigor and the opportunity to contribute to the existing knowledge in a field.
• Consider your career goals and research interests to choose a program that aligns with your long-term aspirations and passion for the subject matter.
• Evaluate the time commitments required for each program and assess your ability to balance work responsibilities and academic commitments.
• Explore program requirements, assessments, and networking opportunities to ensure a good fit with your strengths, preferences, and future prospects.

Please note that when implementing this HTML text into your webpage, make sure to remove the capitalized HTML tags.

Understanding Course-Based Master’s Programs

Course-based master’s programs in Canada are a popular choice for individuals looking to deepen their knowledge in a specific field through coursework. These programs require students to complete a set number of courses, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of their chosen area of study.

One of the advantages of course-based programs is the flexibility they offer. Students have the freedom to complete their coursework at their own pace, making it a suitable option for those with full-time jobs. This flexibility allows you to balance your professional commitments while pursuing your master’s degree.

In course-based programs, you’ll have the opportunity to choose from a variety of electives, allowing you to tailor your education to your specific interests and goals. Some programs even offer specializations or concentration areas, enabling you to focus on specific aspects of your field of study. This specialization can enhance your expertise and make you a highly sought-after professional in your industry.

Completing coursework in a course-based program provides a practical and hands-on approach to learning. Through assignments, projects, and examinations, you’ll gain valuable skills and knowledge that can be directly applied to real-world situations. This practical focus can significantly contribute to your professional development, preparing you for leadership roles and career advancement opportunities.

The image below highlights the diverse coursework and flexibility offered in course-based master’s programs:

Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills, change career paths, or gain a deeper understanding of your field, a course-based master’s program can provide you with the necessary knowledge and flexibility to achieve your academic and professional goals. Take advantage of the specialized coursework, customizable options, and practical learning opportunities offered in course-based programs to set yourself up for success.

Exploring Thesis-Based Master’s Programs

Thesis-based master’s programs in Canada offer a unique opportunity to delve deep into research and independent study. These programs are designed to foster academic rigor and intellectual growth by requiring students to conduct original research and write a thesis. With the guidance of a faculty advisor, students embark on a journey of exploration and contribute to the existing body of knowledge in their chosen field.

Throughout the thesis-based program, students work closely with a thesis committee, consisting of experts in the field who provide valuable guidance and feedback. This collaborative approach ensures that students receive the necessary support and mentorship to refine their research questions, design methodologies, and analyze data.

The research aspect of thesis-based programs offers numerous benefits, including the opportunity to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By conducting original research, students build a strong foundation in their area of study and gain a deep understanding of the research process.

Additionally, thesis-based programs provide a platform for students to contribute to the academic community through publications, presentations, and conferences. These experiences not only enhance their knowledge but also help establish their credibility and professional reputation within their field of interest.

However, it is important to note that thesis-based programs often require a significant time commitment. The extensive research and writing involved can be challenging for those with full-time jobs. It is crucial for prospective students to carefully evaluate their time management skills and determine if they have the capacity to balance work, studies, and personal commitments.

Despite the time commitment, thesis-based master’s programs offer a unique and rewarding academic experience. The opportunity to engage in in-depth research, collaborate with renowned experts, and contribute to the academic landscape can be immensely fulfilling for individuals passionate about their field of study.

Whether you choose a thesis-based program or a course-based program, it is important to carefully consider your academic goals, research interests, and personal commitments. By understanding the distinctive features of thesis-based programs, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your aspirations and sets you on a path of academic excellence.

Considering Career Goals and Research Interests

When deciding between course-based and thesis-based master’s programs in Canada, it’s crucial to consider your career goals and research interests.

Course-based programs are often more suitable for individuals seeking to gain specialized knowledge and skills in a particular area to enhance their professional development. These programs offer a structured curriculum with a wide range of courses to choose from, allowing you to tailor your studies to align with your career goals. By completing coursework in your desired field, you can acquire the practical skills and knowledge necessary to excel in your chosen profession. Additionally, course-based programs often provide opportunities for internships, co-op placements, and industry collaborations, further enhancing your career prospects.

On the other hand, thesis-based programs are ideal for those interested in pursuing research-oriented careers or further studies at the doctoral level. These programs offer the chance to delve deep into a specific research area and make original contributions to the field. By working closely with faculty advisors and engaging in independent research, you can develop critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills that are highly valued in research-based professions. Thesis-based programs also provide opportunities to present your research at conferences and publish your findings, further establishing your expertise and credibility within the academic community.

It’s important to align your program choice with your long-term goals and passion for the subject matter. Consider where you see yourself in the future and how each program can help you reach those aspirations. Reflect on your research interests and whether you are more inclined towards practical application or scholarly inquiry. By choosing a program that aligns with your career goals and research interests, you can ensure a rewarding and fulfilling academic journey.

Assessing Time Commitments

Pursuing a Master’s degree in Canada while working a full-time job requires careful consideration of time commitments. When deciding between course-based and thesis-based programs, program duration is an important factor to consider. Course-based programs typically have a shorter duration compared to thesis-based programs since they primarily focus on coursework. This shorter duration can be beneficial for individuals juggling work and studies.

On the other hand, thesis-based programs require a more significant investment of time and effort due to the research and thesis writing components. Conducting original research and writing a thesis involves a substantial time commitment, which may be challenging for those with full-time jobs. Students in thesis-based programs must allocate sufficient time for data collection, analysis, and writing, along with engaging with their thesis committee.

Before making your program choice, it’s crucial to assess your ability to balance your work responsibilities and academic commitments. Reflect on your current workload, your work-life balance goals, and your capacity to dedicate the necessary time and effort to your program of choice. Consider whether a shorter duration with a focus on coursework or an extended commitment to research aligns better with your personal and professional goals.

Exploring Program Requirements and Assessments

When deciding between course-based and thesis-based master’s programs in Canada , it’s important to understand the program requirements and assessments involved. Course-based programs typically require you to complete a specified number of courses, assignments, and examinations. This structure allows you to gain a broad understanding of the field through coursework and demonstrates your ability to apply knowledge effectively.

In contrast, thesis-based programs focus on independent research, where you’ll delve deeper into a specific area of interest and contribute to the field’s existing body of knowledge. In these programs, you’ll undertake original research, write a thesis, and often defend your work through an oral examination. This research-centric approach fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.

The image below illustrates the different requirements and assessments in course-based and thesis-based master’s programs:

As you consider your strengths and preferences, think about how coursework, research, and examinations align with your learning style and career goals. If you enjoy a structured learning environment and prefer applying theory to practical situations, a course-based program may be the right fit. On the other hand, if you’re passionate about research and want to contribute new knowledge to your field, a thesis-based program could provide the academic rigor and opportunities you seek.

Regardless of the program type, it’s crucial to carefully review the program requirements, such as the number of courses or the thesis length, and ensure they align with your time availability and commitments. Additionally, consider the type of assessment that resonates with your learning style and allows you to demonstrate your knowledge effectively.

Networking and Collaborative Opportunities

Both course-based and thesis-based master’s programs in Canada offer a wealth of networking and collaborative opportunities that can significantly enhance your academic and professional journey. These opportunities allow you to connect with like-minded individuals, forge valuable professional connections, and contribute to the academic community in meaningful ways.

In course-based programs, you’ll have the chance to interact with your peers and esteemed faculty members through engaging group projects, lively discussions, and thought-provoking seminars. These collaborative experiences foster a supportive and dynamic learning environment, where you can exchange ideas, gain diverse perspectives, and build lasting professional relationships within your field.

Networking for Professional Connections

Networking in course-based programs opens doors to a wide range of professional connections. By actively engaging with your classmates and professors, you gain access to a network of professionals who share your passion and can offer valuable insights and opportunities. From informal conversations during breaks to formal networking events, you have numerous chances to connect with individuals who can become valuable mentors, collaborators, or future employers.

These professional connections can be particularly advantageous for those pursuing career-centric goals. Networking provides access to industry-specific information, job opportunities, and career advice that can accelerate your professional growth and help you stay updated with the latest trends and developments.

Collaborative Opportunities in Thesis-Based Programs

In thesis-based programs, you’ll have the unique opportunity to collaborate with renowned researchers within your field of study. Working alongside experts in their respective domains, you can contribute to cutting-edge research projects, expand your knowledge base, and make meaningful contributions to your academic discipline.

Thesis-based programs often provide opportunities to attend conferences, present your research findings, and publish your work in academic journals, further increasing your visibility within the academic community. These experiences allow you to connect with peers and experts from around the world, expanding your professional network and fostering collaborations that can have a lasting impact on your academic and research career.

By actively participating in networking and collaborative opportunities, you not only enhance your knowledge and skills but also pave the way for future collaborations and career advancements. Whether you choose a course-based or thesis-based program, make sure to consider the type of connections and collaborative experiences that align with your career goals, ultimately enriching your academic journey.

Funding and Scholarships

When pursuing a Master’s degree in Canada while working full-time, funding and scholarships are crucial in ensuring you have the financial support you need. While research funding opportunities are more commonly available in thesis-based programs, it’s important to note that course-based programs may also offer scholarships and assistantship positions.

Exploring the funding options available for both program types is essential in making an informed decision. Research the scholarships offered by universities, external organizations, and government agencies. These scholarships can provide the financial support you need to pursue your degree without placing excessive strain on your full-time job.

In addition to scholarships, assistantship positions are worth considering. These positions often come with a stipend or tuition remission and can help alleviate the financial burden of pursuing a Master’s degree. Talk to program coordinators or faculty advisors to learn more about assistantship opportunities and how they can provide you with the necessary financial support.

Remember, funding and scholarships can significantly impact your ability to pursue a Master’s degree in Canada while working full-time. Take the time to explore and consider all available options, ensuring that you make a well-informed decision that aligns with your financial situation and supports your academic and career goals.

Considering Future Prospects and Employability

When choosing between course-based and thesis-based master’s programs in Canada , you must carefully consider the future prospects and employability each option offers. Course-based programs focus on developing practical skills and knowledge directly applicable to the job market. The emphasis on practicality enhances your immediate employability and opens doors for career advancement opportunities.

On the other hand, thesis-based programs provide you with valuable research experience and the opportunity to contribute to the academic community. This research-oriented approach can be highly beneficial if you’re considering a career in research or planning to pursue further academic studies, such as a Ph.D.

When making your decision, think about your long-term career goals and the skills and experiences that will best support your desired path. Consider the immediate employability boost that course-based programs offer, as well as the long-term benefits of research opportunities and contributions to the academic field provided by thesis-based programs.

Seeking Guidance and Making an Informed Decision

Making an informed decision between course-based and thesis-based master’s programs in Canada requires guidance from faculty advisors and program coordinators. These experts possess valuable insights into the structure, requirements, and outcomes of each program.

To make an informed decision, engage in conversations with professors and professionals in your field of interest. Attend program information sessions to gather comprehensive information and ask questions to clarify any doubts or concerns.

The guidance provided by faculty advisors and program coordinators will help you obtain a thorough understanding of the available options and make a decision that aligns with your career aspirations, research interests, and work-life balance.

Remember, seeking guidance allows you to make an informed decision that sets you on the path towards a successful and fulfilling academic journey.

Pursuing a Master’s degree in Canada with a full-time job requires careful consideration of various factors. When choosing between course-based and thesis-based programs, it is essential to assess your career goals, research interests, time commitments, program requirements, and future prospects.

By evaluating these considerations and seeking guidance from faculty advisors and program coordinators, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your aspirations and work-life balance. Remember to prioritize your long-term goals and passion for the subject matter to ensure a fulfilling and successful academic journey.

Ultimately, whether you choose a course-based or thesis-based program, both options offer unique benefits and challenges. The key is to choose a program that suits your individual goals and circumstances. With the right decision-making process and careful consideration, you can pursue your Master’s degree in Canada while balancing your full-time job and unlocking new opportunities for professional growth and personal fulfillment.

Source Links

• https://www.macworld.com/article/670477/best-mac-or-macbook-for-students.html

Related Posts

Is a 3.5 Masters GPA bad?

Explore the implications of a 3.5 GPA in your Masters and why it may actually reflect strong academic performance.

Can I do Masters with 2.7 GPA?

Explore your options for pursuing a Masters with a 2.7 GPA – find programs that fit your profile and enhance your academic journey.

What is Coursework at University?

In University by Think Student Editor October 5, 2023 Leave a Comment

Compared to the rest of the British education system, university can seem so very different. Lessons are now lectures or seminars, you have complete independence, and you even have the option to live on campus. Plus, there are so many other differences on top of this. This might make you wonder if the components of studying at university are different as well, especially in terms of how the course works. One of the components that’s important to look at in this way is coursework and how it differs at university.

In short, at university coursework is similar to at previous levels of education, where coursework is a form of assessment without exams that helps to make up your grade. At university, this is because successfully completing coursework helps you to pass modules, allowing you to get your qualification. This coursework can come in many different forms and the types you do will depend on your course and your university. However, some of the main types are essays, reports and projects, including research projects such as dissertations.

Continue reading to learn more about what coursework is at university. This article will take you through how coursework works at university and what some of the main types of university coursework are.

Table of Contents

Is there coursework at university?

When thinking about coursework, we tend to be more familiar with the term when it’s associated with school or college. In this case, coursework is a form of internally assessed assignment that will make up a part of your grade.

As a form of assessment, it will often be essential to help you to get your qualification, whether that’s for a GCSE/ National 5 qualification, an A-Level/ Higher or Advanced Higher or a more vocational qualification, such as a BTEC or a T-Level. For more information about what coursework is like at this stage, check out this guide by NI Direct.

As university can feel so different from school or college, you may be wondering whether or not there even is coursework at university and whether it works in the same way.

Simply put, yes, there is coursework at university . In fact, some universities state that most modules will have some form of coursework involved in them.

Students take a range of modules to make up their degree programmes. This means that students are very likely to do at least a bit of coursework in a few of their modules across the course of their studies. You can learn more about this by checking out this page on the University of St Andrews website.

What do you do in coursework at university?

At university there is so much more variation in what you can study and how you study it. From the different classifications of degree, even just within the undergraduate level, from foundation degrees to all the different kinds of bachelor’s degree, such as the BA, BSc or LLB, to all of the other kinds of qualification that you can do at university.

Due to all of this variation, there should be no surprise that in each of these different kinds of courses, students will be taught in different ways. Moreover, there isn’t any actual standardisation across universities, meaning that even on very similar courses, students can be taught with completely different methods.

As a result of this, the coursework that you do at university will completely depend on your course and your university. However, there are some common types of coursework that are done.

Some of these main ones are essays, reports and projects . For more information about what different types of coursework at university might be, you can check out this page by the University of Leeds.

You can learn more about these in their respective sections below.

Is an essay a type of coursework at university?

An essay is an academic piece of writing where students will have to make an argument in response to a certain question. In secondary school and college, you may have come across essays in the form of exam questions, where they would be valued in terms of their marks. For example, you may have had to do a “10-marker”, a “20-marker” and so on.

Alternatively, you may have come across them as part of your own coursework or NEAs, particularly in humanities subjects, where the knowledge and argument you present would be more detailed and in-depth. For university study, essays as a form of coursework, are more similar to the latter as they will need to be well-researched and in-depth .

However, university is at a higher level that school and college . As a result, university essays will need to be as well with students needing to carry out some independent research and reading before they can start the essay rather than relying just on what they have been taught.

You can learn more about essays as a form of coursework at university on this page by the University of Nottingham.

Is a report a type of coursework at university?

Reports and lab reports are a type of coursework that you will probably not have directly come across in previous study, although you may have done something a bit similar. Unlike an essay, a report is purely factual and objective, where the main aim is to present findings and to analyse the data collected, rather than to make an argument.

While they are particularly present in the sciences and social science subjects, reports are a form of coursework that can be used across a large variety of different subjects. Due to this, there are many different types of report and which one you may have to undertake as a part of your coursework will depend on your degree.

For more information about this, look at this page on the University of York’s website.

One of the main types of report is a lab report. This is a type of report done by sciences students after an experiment has been done. You can learn more about them by checking out this guide by the University of Nottingham.

Is a project a type of coursework at university?

For university study, a project as a form of coursework can refer to a few different modes of study. First of all, when talking about a project, we might be referring to a research project.

A research project is an extended essay that students complete by undertaking and then presenting their own research and comparing this to the preexisting ideas. This kind of research project will typically be big and may even be an entire module.

In cases like this, the research project will most likely be in the form of a dissertation or even a thesis if done at doctorate level. You can learn more about this type of project by looking at this page on the University of Sheffield’s website and for more on dissertations, look at the following section.

However, projects can also be in the form of group projects that can vary a bit more across universities. For example, at Imperial College London, students undertake a multidisciplinary group project to try and come up with solutions to the biggest social challenges. You can learn more about this on this page on their website.

Also, the University of Edinburgh Business School runs group consultancy projects at both undergraduate and master’s degree levels. For more information about this, check out this page on their website.

Is a dissertation a type of coursework at university?

At university in the UK, a dissertation is a type of research project that can be taken by students for either a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree. As an extended essay, students will need to produce an answer to a specific question of somewhere between 5,000 and 50,000 words depending on the university and whether it is a bachelor’s or master’s degree that you’re doing.

There are different kinds of dissertation and depending on which kind students do will depend on how they go about writing it. For an empirical dissertation, students will need to carry out research and collect data first hand to use as part of their dissertation. Whereas for a non-empirical dissertation, students will have to research into data and information that is pre-existing.

You can learn more about what a dissertation is by looking at this Think Student article .

As previously mentioned, one of the main types of coursework at university are projects, including research projects. This means that yes, dissertations are a type of coursework at university as they are types of research project.

How to Write a Coursework

Coursework projects do not resemble essays, research papers, or dissertations. They are the combination of all three. Students spend less time writing coursework than on making a term paper, but this type of work requires more time and efforts than an ordinary essay - it is made of several essays. Thanks to our guide, each student can discover how to write coursework. If you are running out of time or lack experience to complete the specific coursework, we recommend using our coursework writing services to hire professional academic writers.

What is Coursework and Why Does It Matter?

Coursework definition: General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) coursework is a typical academic assignment, given in the course of study to evaluate the student’s knowledge, skills, and identify the final grade. Many students face this type of writing in the US colleges. One of the examples is a coursework UTD (The University of Texas at Dallas) - the requirements of this institution are strict, and many students fail to submit their papers and pass the corresponding courses.

Such type of assignment helps to have the ‘detective’ hat on: a student observes, examines, and evaluates the chosen topic using credible, up-to-date, and relevant sources. Working under controlled conditions is important. Participating in every school class will help to prepare good coursework by the end of the term. Take a look at the examples of what students of various profiles may face:

• English Composition - English coursework is an extended essay in most cases. A student has a right to pick the topic. The tutors provide their students with the list of recommended titles to choose from, sources to observe & analyze, and a format (e.g., a comparison between different relevant articles)
• Sciences - coursework for science is a complicated assignment. Such type of work appears in the form of a scientific paper to test what a writer investigates and reports independently.
• Geography - geography coursework is about collecting, reporting, and explaining information to reply to a certain geographical question or offer solutions to the problem. One idea is to explore the usage of a shopping mall or analyze the recent tornado. No matter whether you have to prepare a coursework Columbia or such paper for other educational institutions, keep in mind these differences!

Types of Coursework Explained

English Language coursework is the most common type of this assignment. At advanced GCE level, the student will be expected to write a couple of essays, totaling 3,000 words. Every assignment is 20 marks maximum.

An analytical essay : Evaluate, compare, & contrast 3 different sources of data interconnected by a common theme; written /spoken / multimedia content. Discuss different uses for targeting various audiences. Learn more on our blog.

Original essay with a supportive commentary : A student will have to come up with a single piece of media writing in the observed modes (written, spoken, or multimodal). Add a supporting piece with details about the aspects of English language. English Language & Literature coursework is a bit different. The basic requirements are the same, and the parts are:

An analytical study : Sharing an analysis of the chosen piece and its relation to the related content. It will show how well the writer understands the original piece. Tutors grade such works based on the:

• Use of the proper terminology and the coherence of the written words;
• Understanding & evaluation of the way a structure, form, and language create the written & spoken word;
• Opportunity to observe relationships between various pieces of writing.

Creative writing & commentary : Produce a creative piece that imitates the style of the assessed text. Share comments to backup your understanding. The goal is to show the knowledge, prove the competence, and use appropriate language skills in communicating with the target audience. You will also need a relevant coursework resume (review) in both cases. Keep on reading to learn how to write coursework of A level.

How to Write a Coursework: Guide for Students

Several factors may lead to the coursework being disqualified. It is a serious matter! The risk factors include:

• Plagiarism - it is the worst thing that could happen to any type of academic assignment. Lots of relevant information is available on the world wide web today, and the tutors are strict about the issue of plagiarism. Write everything in your own words! If you decide to insert the quotes from the sources, apply the suggested citation format and develop a list of references. Sign the declaration claiming it is your original project. If you're unsure about how to approach this, seeking professional help by choosing to write my coursework can be a wise decision.
• Word count - do not ignore the specific requirements concerning the length of the coursework. Specify if the footnotes, appendices, & references are included in the word count.
• Topics - go through the list of available themes. If there is an examination planned on the specific topic, try to pick another idea for the coursework.
• Tutor’s assistance - do not ignore the help of your instructor, ask them to provide guidance on what to write. Ask the questions to learn more details, but keep in mind they can go through the 1st draft once and just offer some general recommendations.

Choosing a Topic for Your Project

Dedicate enough time to this extra important question. Select the field of your interest if it is possible to relate it to the course. That is the golden rule of choosing a coursework topic - keep in mind the rest of the hints:

• Analyze the offered list of topics or develop yours
• Pick a topic from the area of your expertise related to the studied subject
• Select the topic you are interested in
• Choose the topic you’ve started to observe in the past
• Check how much relevant, up-to-date information is available on the Internet about each of the topics
• Pick what you can measure, change, & control (they call it a ‘fair test’)
• Use the ideas of previous researchers and students
• Do not choose a topic with a vast scope - you risk struggling to research it correctly

10 Good Coursework Topics

• Non-traditional Forms of Poetry with TC Tolbert
• Documentary Foundations: Usage of Oral Histories with Beth Alvarado
• Traditional Forms of Poetry
• Hermit Crabs: Type of Fiction
• Writing the Autobiographical Poem
• Creative Non-Fiction on the Examples of New Journalists
• Authors without Borders
• Writing the Sticky Stuff
• Socially Engaged Literary Arts
• Common Vocabulary

Research & Data Collection

Research is an integral part of coursework. Have you written research papers before? If yes, you will find it easier to select proper primary & secondary sources and gather the necessary information (evidence to support the main point - thesis). Depending on the required paper format, cite & reference the following sources:

• Books & e-Books

Base the project on a specific hypothesis. The research must start with minimum one hypothesis. The research stage for some topics may consist of visiting websites to collect information. Leave another time for collecting the data as it is the heart of the research. Three methods of data collection are known:

• Direct personal investigation : The one an author does individually (using literature and findings from previous studies);
• Interview/Questionnaire : The researcher should gather the data from the respondents asking questions regarding required data;
• Discussion with community leaders : Community leaders are approached to fetch information for the necessary data.

In case a student works on a scientific experiment, they should pay attention to planning the analysis with the help of rigorous scientific methods (keeping in mind the Health & Safety precautions you take). Review background information and theories. Take notes to express what you expect to occur to compare & contrast it to what happened in real life. In the write-up stage, one has to evaluate and present the findings.

Writing a Coursework Outline

The writing process follows the research. Do not start it without preparing an action plan and scheduling the work - a paper pin for English coursework is based on an extended essay . An outline will look different for the science coursework projects. The goal of creating a plan is to prevent a writer from being disorganized and waffling.

Let us explain coursework outline on the specific example - a project on the global pursuit of lower costs and the role of human rights.

Start with the brief introduction explaining why it might be a topic of interest for many people. Mention those vast corporations like Wal-Mart abuse human rights by choosing and using child labor in the factories.

Provide an overview of the problem . Define human rights and costs. Pick the definitions from the official dictionaries and cite them properly when inserting in the text. Try to explain the terms in your own words.

Develop a body of the coursework , start with the case for & against ethical business practices. Using evidence and examples, list the arguments supporting ethical business practices and another side of the coin. Include a business case for ethical practices after the opening body paragraph.

Move to discussing ethical responsibilities ; explain why business organizations should care about the ethical aspects of their activities. After three sections of the body, one can conclude the paper. It can be a good idea to share a fact or statistics stressing the importance of research problem in the essay conclusion. End up with the reference list that may look this way:

• Klein N (2000) No Logo (Flamingo, London)
• Marcousé I, Gillespie A, Martin B, Surridge M and Wall N (2003) Business Studies 2e (Hodder Arnold, Oxon)
• Royal Dutch Shell (2006) 4th Quarter Financial Report at (site example)

Additional Elements

Supporting materials and pictures are a must! The sciences & geography projects require tables, charts, graphs, and other types of images to illustrate the complicated topic. Not only should you add the pictures - it is essential to interpret and reference each of them. A separate part of the coursework where the student list and explains every visual element is Appendix , and it is an optional part. The presence of appendix increases the chances to earn an A+.

How to Write an Introduction for Coursework?

Most of the students underestimate the role of introduction & conclusion when it comes to writing an essay. An eye-catchy introduction is a key to success. The primary purposes of a coursework introduction are:

• To grab the reader’s attention
• To introduce the topic
• To explain the research importance
• To come up with a compelling thesis statement

The opening paragraph shows the depth of the writer’s acquaintance with the topic. Look at the expert tips below. They will help to learn how to write a coursework introduction to make the tutor want to read your entire paper.

What Is an Introduction?

The introduction of GCSE coursework is the opening paragraph that aims to interpret the central questions and purposes of the entire paper. It should have several elements to be effective. Those are:

• A hook sentence
• Background information
• Problem significance
• Solid thesis statement

Advice from our Experienced Writer

How to write an introduction to coursework? The quality of this part predetermines paper’s success. Look at some common mistakes writers do while working on the coursework introduction - try to prevent them!

Ignoring the prompt. Many students tend to neglect the tutor’s instructions. It is critical to read the prompt several times, highlight the main points, research question, rules, and grading rubric details.

Missing a plan. The prompt does not always say to develop a coursework outline. Without a plan for every separate section, it is impossible to write a flawless piece step-by-step. No matter whether you have to write a term paper, research paper, dissertation, or C3 coursework, get ready with the detailed plan. Once you understand how to write an introduction, it will be easier to develop the rest of the paper.

For those who need a helping hand in ensuring their work meets all the standards and deadlines, don't hesitate to buy coursework from trusted professionals.

Related Articles

To read this content please select one of the options below:

Please note you do not have access to teaching notes, relationships between research supervisors and students from coursework-based master’s degrees: information usage under social media.

Information Discovery and Delivery

ISSN : 2398-6247

Article publication date: 8 March 2021

Issue publication date: 19 November 2021

Existing studies reflect that traditional teaching–learning relationships between supervisors and graduate students have become disjointed with actuality seriously. In particular, there are practical difficulties in handling many students from coursework-based postgraduate degrees under current university curricula. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between research supervisors and graduate students on social media, which is popular among students.

Design/methodology/approach

This study surveyed 109 graduate students from two majors (population around 100 each) of a university in Hong Kong to explore their information usage for research on social media, related attitudes and their perceived supervisor relationships. The differences between the two majors were also compared.

The authors’ findings indicated that graduate students were active on social media, and social media has successfully provided effective alternate ways for students to communicate with their research supervisors. Social media could improve relationships between supervisors and research students and among fellow students. Besides education purposes, students also discussed their personal affairs on social media with supervisors, demonstrating enhanced trusted relationships. Graduate students also showed confidence in the further application of social media in higher education. Some differences between respondents from the two programs were also found in terms of communication contents, strengths, personal preferences and purposes for using social media.

Originality/value

Scant studies focus on the relationship between supervisors and graduate students under the current social media environment, especially for students from coursework-based postgraduate degrees. At a deeper level, for the widespread use of social media in the information age, this study explores the specific changes brought about by social media. Therefore, this study is of great theoretical and practical value to graduate education under the current social media environment.

• Social media
• Quantitative research
• Graduate students
• Research supervisor
• Teaching–learning relationship

Acknowledgements

This research is partially supported by the Faculty Research Fund, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong.

Dong, G. , Chiu, D.K.W. , Huang, P.-S. , Ho, K.K.W. , Lung, M.M.-w. and Geng, Y. (2021), "Relationships between research supervisors and students from coursework-based master’s degrees: information usage under social media", Information Discovery and Delivery , Vol. 49 No. 4, pp. 319-327. https://doi.org/10.1108/IDD-08-2020-0100

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

Related articles

We’re listening — tell us what you think, something didn’t work….

Report bugs here

All feedback is valuable

Please share your general feedback

Join us on our journey

Platform update page.

Visit emeraldpublishing.com/platformupdate to discover the latest news and updates

Questions & More Information

Answers to the most commonly asked questions here

Protect your data

This site uses cookies and related technologies for site operation, and analytics as described in our Privacy Policy . You may choose to consent to our use of these technologies, reject non-essential technologies, or further manage your preferences.

• Resume and Cover Letter
• How to Include Relevant...

How to Include Relevant Coursework on a Resume (with Examples)

13 min read · Updated on September 11, 2023

If you are a recent graduate struggling with a lack of work experience, knowing how to include relevant coursework on a resume can be one of the best ways to create a more compelling resume narrative.

One thing that many recent college graduates have in common with one another is a general lack of work experience. That lack of experience can sometimes make it difficult for them to construct a resume that sells their potential to be the best candidate for a job. Fortunately, there are ways to still create a strong and compelling resume, even without experience. For example, did you take classes that might be relevant to the position? If so, including relevant coursework on your resume may be the perfect solution to your resume challenges.

In this post, we will explain how you can identify relevant coursework and where it should be listed in your resume. We will also include several examples of relevant coursework on a resume so that you can see the best options for using these details to strengthen your job search efforts.

What is relevant coursework?

Of course, when we talk about relevant coursework, we are talking about those classes and educational activities that have direct relevance to the position you are seeking. The first thing you need to recognize is that many of the classes you took during your college career will not need to be included in your resume. After all, most degrees require that students complete any number of basic foundational courses that will have little if any relation to their chosen job — at least from a resume standpoint. 

So, what types of classes, achievements, and activities should you focus on as you identify suitable courses to add to your resume? While this sounds like a simple question, it actually requires some serious thought and evaluation. Fortunately, there are some basic rules that you can follow as you make that determination. Below are just some of the potentially relevant things that you might want to include in your resume: 

Coursework that demonstrates that you have a foundation of knowledge in a required aspect of the job you are seeking. For example, if communication skills are needed for the position, you should include courses that focused on business communications, writing, etc.

Projects that are related to particular job skills. For a marketing position, you should include any marketing-related projects you completed during your studies. Or you could include research projects you engaged in if you are seeking a job where research skills are essential.

Academic achievements can also be included, including notably high GPA scores or awards you received. Also, be sure to include any related extracurricular activities. That could include everything from clubs to sporting activities if they helped you develop skills that would be useful for the job.

Again, do not include coursework that has no bearing on the job at hand. This will require you to carefully consider each course to determine its relevance. One way to do that is to read the job posting and select keywords and phrases of import that seem to be describing the skills or educational qualifications needed for the job. Then go through your coursework and try to match courses to those skills. As you do so, remember that some basic courses like those involving communication—both written and verbal—may be included, since communication is one of those soft skills that every company values .

You can learn more about the difference between hard and soft skills by reading our excellent article, Key Differences Between Hard Skills and Soft Skills . A better understanding of those critical soft skills can help to ensure that you don't underestimate the value of any of your classes. There's a great chance that you have more marketable soft skills than you realize! 

When should you include relevant courses on your resume?

Before you add your job-related classes to your resume, you should decide whether it is necessary. For example, you can almost certainly benefit from including your relevant coursework on your resume if: 

You recently graduated from school or are beginning the process of looking for a job because you are close to graduation. Students and recent graduates typically have little or no real job experience to highlight skills. Fortunately, their studies and project assignments will likely have helped them to develop important skills that they can highlight in their resumes.

Your educational achievements are necessary to qualify for the position you are seeking. In those instances, your prospective employer will be interested in knowing that you have fulfilled those requirements and have the basic knowledge needed for the position.

There may also be times when you need to include coursework even after you have been in the workforce for some time. For example, if you are switching careers and your current work experience does not include the skills needed for your new job, that may not matter as much if you can show that your studies prepared you for the role. 

Including coursework related to your minor

As you select relevant coursework for your resume, don't forget to consider courses of study related to your minor too. Hopefully, you will have selected a minor that is at least tangentially related to your desired career path. If so, then chances are that some of the courses you completed may have some relevance that can translate to a useful resume listing. For more information about minors and when they can be added to your resume, read How to Include a Minor on Your Resume .

When should I take coursework off my resume?

Obviously, there will be times when you should forgo any mention of your courses in your resume. Some examples of situations where you might not need to list your specific coursework include:

When your coursework is not really relevant to the position you seek. Including irrelevant coursework could actually distract from your important skills and experiences.

Situations in which coursework was completed so long ago that the information is no longer useful. For instance, many technology-related courses can lose their value over time. Other examples include old marketing courses and other educational achievements that involve skills that have evolved rapidly in recent years.

If your resume is already filled with enough work experience and skills that there is no need or room for specific course details. Remember, you want to add your courses to enhance your value as an employee. If adding a particular course does nothing more than add length to the resume, skip it. 

Where should relevant coursework be listed in your resume?

In most resumes, the coursework should be placed in the education section, with a subheading titled “Relevant Coursework.” When creating this part of the education section, you should insert the subheading under the name of your degree, with a list of the courses you studied. For example:

Bachelor's in [Name of Degree]

[College Name, City, Graduation Date]

Relevant Coursework: [Course 1], [Course 2], [Course 3], [Course 4], [Course 5]

Alternatively, you can also opt to show your courses in a bullet-point list if your resume is short and you need to fill more space. You can even elaborate on each course with a few words to describe the skills you learned in class. For example:

Relevant Coursework:

If you have no actual work experience, you may even want to consider using your education section as a substitute for that experience section. If you choose that option, you may want to place the education section closer to the top of your resume and flesh out each course in the same way you would detail a job listing in your work experience section. That means using detailed descriptions that include quantifiable results highlighting your achievements.

Key tips to remember when listing relevant coursework

Before we show you some examples of how to list relevant coursework on your resume, there are a few tips that can help to ensure that your final product is as compelling as possible. By incorporating these ideas into your resume creation process, you can more effectively make that all-important great first impression on any hiring manager.

Only list relevant coursework if you lack sufficient work experience to meet the job requirements.

Always make sure that the courses you list highlight skills and knowledge needed for the position. If a course has nothing to do with your chosen line of work, it has no place in your resume.

Relevant courses may be related to hard and soft skills.

If you choose to use descriptions for each course, use that as an opportunity to insert relevant keywords from the job description. This can be a great way to ensure that your resume can get past any applicant tracking system .

Always proofread your entire resume to eliminate spelling mistakes, punctuation and grammar errors, and style or formatting discrepancies.

Make sure that you tailor your resume to fit the job you want. Since you will likely be applying for different jobs during your job search, you may need to modify your educational coursework details to align with the needs of each position.

Do not forget to include important skill information in your coursework descriptions. Again, try to use those job description keywords.

If you are maintaining an updated resume throughout your educational career, be sure to continually edit your resume as your coursework evolves over time. This can make it easier to keep it updated and can save you some time when your job search begins.

3 Examples of relevant coursework on a resume

In this final section, we will explore some different examples to show you how you can successfully incorporate relevant coursework into your resume. We have included a couple of examples of the most basic listing options, as well as an expanded sample that enables you to provide more details and skills. You can refer to these samples and use them as guides as you create your own relevant coursework section.

Example #1: The Basics

Bachelor's in Information Technology

My College, Anytown 2022

Relevant Coursework: Cyber Security 101, Business Intelligence, Application Development, Networking and Telecom, Artificial Intelligence

This simple listing would be a good option for anyone who has at least some relevant work experience but who still needs an additional boost to meet the job requirements. In this case, the job seeker's coursework listing is presented in a minimalist format, documenting the specific courses and areas of focus—but without any other information about those studies.

Example #2: Bulletpoint List of Courses

Cyber Security 101

Business Intelligence

Application Development

Networking and Telecom

Artificial Intelligence

This option is similar to the first example but presents the classes and areas of focus as separate bullet points. This provides additional emphasis for each area of study, while also taking up a bit more space in the resume. This can be a great option if your resume is a little short and you need to expand the content.

Example #3: Detailed Format

My College, Anytown

Completed in 2022

Certified Cyber Security Expert, skilled in protecting data, information, and infrastructure.

Coursework included training on risk analysis, threat mitigation, compliance assurance, and cloud security.

Completed multiple projects and research assignments designed to test knowledge and adaptability to various types of cyber threats.

 Business Intelligence

Business analytics certificate, training focused on data interpretation and communication to resolve business problems with a data mindset.

Course included 3 projects testing analytical skills using hypothetical business challenges based on real-world business scenarios.

 Application Development

Courses focused on the development of software coding skills used for web application creation, troubleshooting, and debugging.

Final course project involved the creation of an independent web app to streamline online sales processes for a test company.

Training focused on routing, packet switching, and cybersecurity needs.

Spent eight weeks as a volunteer networking intern for a local ISP, receiving hands-on training from experienced networking professionals.

AI and machine learning studies, emphasizing tech integration into business processes, impact on sales and marketing, and ethical concerns.

Conducted study for the course final, evaluating potential AI benefits for enhanced marketing in the digital age and impact on online sales.

This more detailed example is a superior option for those who have no work experience and need their educational credentials to highlight their skills. In this sample, each area of interest is accompanied by bullet point details describing the types of courses studied and the lessons or skills developed during those classes. In addition, bullet points are added to highlight specific achievements, describe studies and real-world application of skills, and demonstrate competency in the subject matter.

This type of format can enable your coursework section to serve as a replacement for work experience if you have never been employed. When used for that purpose, you can expand on each course listing to include additional skills and keywords from the job post. Simply add new bullet points where needed to flesh out each area of emphasis.

Again, if you choose to replace your work experience section with this relevant coursework section, make sure that you move this section closer to the top of your resume so that it receives more prominence. Basically, if your strongest selling point is your education, then make sure that your important courses are one of the first things that a prospective employer sees. Also, you may want to highlight your educational qualifications in your resume summary so that the reader expects to see those coursework details.

Don't underestimate the power of a well-crafted and compelling resume

Finally, it is important to reiterate just how vital it is that your resume makes the best possible impression. When you approach the labor market with little or no work experience, you are usually already at a competitive disadvantage. There will almost always be someone else who has a similar level of skill and educational background, as well as real-world experience. To compete against a qualified rival, you need a resume that can effectively sell you as the best candidate for the job.

For recent graduates and job seekers moving to entirely new careers, a lack of relevant work experience can be a major impediment to landing job interviews and employment offers. One way to overcome this obstacle is to learn how to use relevant educational coursework on your resume to highlight your qualifications and skills. Hopefully, this post and its resume examples can provide you with the inspiration and help you need to translate your educational experience into a compelling resume narrative. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure that your resume effectively positions you to have the best chance at landing any interview and job. To make sure that your resume is up to par, get a  free resume review  today. And if you really want to be sure that your resume is ready for prime time, take a few moments to discover just how easy it is to get professional resume assistance from our team of experts!

Recommended Reading:

What Should I Say About My Education On My Resume?

Ask Amanda: What's the Best Way to List Education on a Resume?

14 Reasons This is a Perfect Recent College Grad Resume Example

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

From Bland to Beautiful: How We Made This Professional's Resume Shine

See how your resume stacks up.

Career Advice Newsletter

Our experts gather the best career & resume tips weekly. Delivered weekly, always free.

Thanks! Career advice is on its way.

Share this article:

Let's stay in touch.

Subscribe today to get job tips and career advice that will come in handy.

Your information is secure. Please read our privacy policy for more information.

TechRepublic

Account information.

Share with Your Friends

5 Best Online Course Platforms for 2024

Your email has been sent

• Best for access to a wide variety of courses: Coursera
• Best for access to traditional universities: edX
• Best for beginners: freeCodeCamp
• Best for rigorous technical courses: Udacity
• Best for making a portfolio: W3Schools

Online courses can be stepping stones to successful tech careers. Many let learners set their own hours, opening up opportunities for people who are working full time at the same time as they seek to gain more skills or a new certification.

When looking for the best online course platforms for people seeking tech or business skills, we assessed platforms based on the following:

• Criteria : Popularity, positive reviews and word-of-mouth.
• Practicality : May include a certification or specific tech skills, which can be included on a resume.
• Versatility : Offers courses for a variety of skill levels.
• Instructors : Who is teaching them? Is that person associated with a well-regarded university, corporation or organization? What has that person contributed to the field?
• Trustworthiness : Do users report problems with payment or false advertising?

SEE: Amazon offers AI and machine learning courses as part of its “AI Ready” initiative. (TechRepublic)

Coursera: Best for access to a wide variety of courses

Coursera is usually on lists of the best online course platforms for good reason: it offers a wide variety of courses for people at various stages of their careers and on many different subject areas of interest. Coursera partners with leading universities and corporations, and the courses are often taught by industry professionals and well-regarded academics. Coursera offers a wide variety of technology-focused courses, including on data analysis, IT and generative AI.

Some Coursera courses can be completed within the 7-day free trial. After that time period, individual Coursera courses cost between $49 and $79, depending on the course, billed monthly. A Coursera Plus subscription provides access to all courses, specializations and certificates on the site and costs $59 per month. The annual plan, Coursera Plus Annual, provides the same access for $399 per year. Businesses, universities and governments can inquire about relevant plans.

• Wide variety of courses.
• Content translated into multiple languages depending on the individual course.
• Career certificates for some courses.
• Job search guides for some courses.
• Self-paced or supervised courses.
• Degree programs from participating colleges and universities.
• Some users report problems with being over-charged or incorrectly charged for a subscription.
• Does not specialize in one field.

edX: Best for access to traditional universities

While some of the classes edX hosts, like Harvard’s well-known Introduction to Computer Science, are available for free elsewhere , the edX platform provides certifications and an extensive catalog of courses across industries affiliated with universities. edX’s tech-focused courses include artificial intelligence programming and business strategy related to AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing and more.

Many courses provided through edX are free but require payment for a certification, which can cost $50 – $300 ; prices for more advanced courses may be higher. Verizon provides one year of free access, which learners can register for with or without a Verizon account. Businesses can contact edX for information about a corporate account .

• Boot camps.
• Degree programs.
• Resume writing help.
• Some affiliated colleges are moving away from edX and shifting online classes to their own websites.
• Some users report hidden fees .

freeCodeCamp: Best for beginners

freeCodeCamp provides tutorials and courses on thousands of topics and a proprietary certification program. Beginners just learning to write code will find a wide array of tips for learning programming languages as well as more advanced instructions for applying that knowledge. freeCodeCamp’s text and video tutorials are relatively easy to access and use, even for people with little tech background. Their more advanced tech certifications include Data Analysis With Python, Information Security, Back End Development and APIs and more.

freeCodeCamp is a nonprofit and funds itself through donations. All of its offerings are free.

• All courses are free.
• Certification programs, which require five projects and associated exams to complete.
• English for Developers certification (for developers for whom English is a second language).
• Interview and job search resources.
• freeCodeCamp is a relatively small platform. This may be preferable to some learners or be underwhelming.

Udacity: Best for rigorous technical courses

Udacity sets itself apart with its nanodegree programs, which are months-long courses that mimic traditional college degrees and may result in certificates of achievement. Udacity is known for its relatively rigorous courses and hands-on components. Tech topics available as courses from Udacity include data science, programming, development, autonomous systems, product management, artificial intelligence and more.

Accessing any content on Udacity requires a subscription. A subscription costs $249 per month, or $846 for four months. A team plan for companies with 50 to 1,000 employees costs $249 per user per month. Enterprises and governments can inquire for pricing information.

• Courses in tech including AI, project management, executive leadership and more.
• Guided student projects.
• Hands-on assignments.
• Relatively expensive.
• Some reviews say the teacher-to-student ratio and quality of teachers has declined in recent years.

W3Schools: Best for making a portfolio

W3Schools provides straightforward, beginner-friendly classes focused entirely on programming, data analytics and website building. In addition, W3Schools provides services such as reference pages and website hosting, which may be useful if a learner wants to demonstrate their skills on their own website.

Pricing for W3Schools depends on the class, certification or service being used; many of the tutorials are free. An ad-free subscription costs $14.99 per month. Pricing for certification exams vary .

• Text tutorials.
• Hands-on exercises.
• Catalog of certification exams.
• Optional gamified “MyLearning” points system.
• Goal-setting tool.
• Website creation.
• HTML color code generator.
• May not be relevant to an audience already familiar with programming and the basics of data analytics or web design.
• Tutorials may be sparse and not add a lot of context about what each programming language is used for.

Subscribe to the Daily Tech Insider Newsletter

Stay up to date on the latest in technology with Daily Tech Insider. We bring you news on industry-leading companies, products, and people, as well as highlighted articles, downloads, and top resources. You’ll receive primers on hot tech topics that will help you stay ahead of the game. Delivered Weekdays

• The 10 Best AI Courses That Are Worth Taking in 2024
• IBM, ISC2 Offer Cybersecurity Certificate
• LinkedIn Learning Unlocks 250 Free AI Courses for a Limited Time
• Top Artificial Intelligence Courses from TR Academy
• TIOBE Index for April 2024: Top 10 Most Popular Programming Languages
• Artificial Intelligence: More must-read coverage

Create a TechRepublic Account

Get the web's best business technology news, tutorials, reviews, trends, and analysis—in your inbox. Let's start with the basics.

* - indicates required fields

Sign in to TechRepublic

Lost your password? Request a new password

Reset Password

Please enter your email adress. You will receive an email message with instructions on how to reset your password.

Check your email for a password reset link. If you didn't receive an email don't forgot to check your spam folder, otherwise contact support .

Welcome. Tell us a little bit about you.

This will help us provide you with customized content.

Want to receive more TechRepublic news?

You're all set.

Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye out for a confirmation email from our team. To ensure any newsletters you subscribed to hit your inbox, make sure to add [email protected] to your contacts list.

Mastering Cohort-Based Courses: A Comprehensive Guide for Course Creators

What is a Cohort-Based Course?

How do cohort-based courses differ from self-paced courses, benefits of cohort-based courses for creators and students, how to build a thriving cohort-based course, wrapping up.

Online courses are out, cohort-based courses are in. 

Why? Well besides average completion rates being 90% higher than regular self-paced courses, cohort programs are a better way to monetize your educational content, strengthen your brand, and build a tight-knit community along the way.

Let’s take a closer look at cohort courses: what they are, and how to launch yours.

A cohort-based course is an educational program, like an online course, that’s structured for collaborative learning. A group of students (aka ‘cohort’) enroll in and progress through the course content together, while guided by expert instructors and course creators. 

Key components of a typical cohort program include real-time interaction, fixed ‘start’ and ‘end’ dates, and a collaborative learning environment where participants engage in peer-to-peer discussions, group activities, and live sessions.

Take YouTuber Ali Abdaal’s cohort program, The Part-Time YouTuber Accelerator , for example.

PTYA ran as a 12-month-long cohort program offering students access to:

• Expert 1:1 guidance from a team of experts.
• A private community of peers and instructors.
• Regular live sessions with Ali and his fellow instructors.

Despite the eye-watering $4,995 enrollment fee, the program was successful to the tune of millions of dollars – and the cohort structure had a lot to do with that. 

More on Ali later in this article, but first let’s look at what makes a cohort course so unique.

Cohort-based courses present a unique style of online learning that sets these programs apart from standard online courses. Namely, a collaborative learning approach, live interactions, and defined ‘start’ and ‘end’ dates set for each program. 

This approach differs from self-paced courses , which are designed for individual participants to learn in isolation, from pre-recorded learning materials, and on their own schedule. 

In a nutshell, cohort programs prioritize collaboration and structured learning; while self-paced courses offer independence and flexibility.

Typical self-paced courses have their merit, but the cohort model is an increasingly popular alternative for creators and students alike. 

For many creators, a cohort course is a better way to monetize their educational content – and for many students, it’s a better way to learn.

From community-building opportunities to boosted completion rates, let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of cohort-based courses.

Generates (Way) More Revenue

Self-paced courses are good for earning passive income, but cohort-based courses are good for earning more income. How much more?

Well, over the course of 4 years, Ali Abdaal created 3 self-paced courses – generating about $140,000 in total. Then Ali launched his cohort-based course, and generated roughly $1.5 million in just 9 months .

Over 10x more revenue in a fraction of the time.

Generally, a cohort-based course provides more value than a regular self-paced course, making it a higher ticket item that naturally generates more revenue. But most of that extra value is built-in to the structure of the cohort program itself – meaning it doesn’t take 10x more work to make 10x more revenue. 

Which brings us to the rest of this list of benefits: let’s take a look at how that value is created for both you and your students, starting with community.

Builds Strong Communities 

Algorithms across social media and search engines are as unpredictable as ever. Hence, the advice for creators that you’ve seen a million times over – “Build a community, not a following.” 

One of the main benefits of attracting creators to cohort courses is the model’s ability to build community among your ideal audience.  

A cohort program allows you to bring together groups of people who can connect around a shared interest – your area of expertise, and likely your niche – organically forming a community of likeminded people. 

The collaborative nature of the learning environment gives students working on the same team towards a shared goal a sense of supportive and meaningful connection, encouraging active participation.

This sense of belonging not only boosts student success – which we’ll get to in a bit – and adds to the value and overall experience of your course, but it can also contribute to the next benefit: student loyalty.

Boosts Student Loyalty

While peer-to-peer connection between your students can be a major benefit of the cohort learning model, the connection between you and each participant can pay even bigger dividends. 

Of course, it’s important that the learners who enroll in your course are satisfied with the learning materials and outcomes. But, beyond that, when your students feel consistently valued and supported by you, they’re more likely to stick around for future courses or learning programs. 

This loyalty from past cohorts not only makes it easier to launch your next course and be met with immediate success, but it can also begin to build the course’s reputation – and yours by extension. Which brings us to the next benefit: word-of-mouth marketing.

Spreads the Word

If you recall the first time you ever launched a digital product or online course, you’ll know that it can be hard to convince the first few buyers that your product can help them achieve the end result they’re after.

That’s why testimonials, endorsements, and word-of-mouth marketing are worth their weight in gold to get students to join your program. 

A key benefit of cohort-based programs is that they can naturally lead to word-of-mouth marketing, thanks to the sense of community and one-to-one support that students receive. 

Students share their positive experiences with friends and family (and even followers), spreading the word about the course’s benefits. This organic marketing is highly effective at reaching a broader audience and attracting new students, taking some of the legwork out of your new enrollment efforts.

Increases Completion Rates

An effective measure of success for any course is it’s completion rate. While self-paced courses average a completion rate of between 3-6% (yikes), cohort courses can see completion rates as high as 96% for some.

Say what you will about attending classes in person (I, for one, can’t fathom going back to the days of navigating school parking and 8am assessment periods) but the accountability and engagement of class-based learning are invaluable.

Cohort programs recreate that collaborative learning atmosphere that keeps students interested and motivated throughout the process, and provides support from all sides. Being part of a group interested in achieving the same outcome can not only make students eager to participate, but even excel in their studies.

Supports Personalized Learning Paths

The process of learning something new is made that much harder when you’re forced to completely adapt yourself to one-size-fits-all materials and teaching styles.

Sure, we can’t expect a traditional educational program like a graduate degree to personalize it’s curriculum to suit each and every student. But an online cohort program can, and should – especially if it wants its students to succeed.

Cohort course programs acknowledge that every student is different. One-to-one support is a key element of cohort learning, and as a coach with a manageable average class size, you have the unique opportunity to personalize your students’ experience.

Cohort coaching allows you to offer tailored learning paths based on individual interests, goals, and skill levels. This supports students to focus on specific areas of skill development where they may need more guidance, and leads to unparalleled success rates for your cohorts.

Building a successful cohort-based course requires careful planning and execution. Here are the key steps to create a thriving learning experience:

1. Choose a Business Model

First up on the docket – decide on the structure of your cohort-based course. 

You can choose to follow the Traditional Cohort Model , or you can opt for the Membership Model community-centric learning model. 

While both models share many of the same core elements, like…

• peer-to-peer connection
• community building
• video-based learning 

… each has its own unique characteristics that cater to different types of creators, content, and students.

Need help figuring out which model is a better fit for you? Let’s compare the traditional course vs. membership models.

The Traditional Cohort Model

The traditional cohort model is – as the name suggests – the typical approach for structuring a cohort-based course. 

These are short-term courses that typically run for 1-3 months per cohort, with a rigid and focused curriculum. A traditional cohort program usually has a fixed outcome for students – like receiving a certification or hitting a predefined milestone. Interaction between students and instructors is exclusively live and in real-time.

Students pay a once-off fee and receive limited-time access to you and/or your instructors, your course materials, and the group of fellow participants. This access is only valid for the duration of the cohort (from the ‘start’ date to the ‘end’ date).

Now, a quick look at an alternative way you can opt to structure your cohort course:

The Membership Model

The membership model is a more modern and scalable approach to structuring a cohort program.

This is best suited to full-time educational creators who offer ongoing or long-term educational programs of typically 6+ months per curriculum. You build your program around a more extensive and flexible curriculum, with a longer program duration.

The extended duration of this approach encourages creators to offer on-demand content in addition to their live teaching sessions, allowing for asynchronous learning and support to supplement real-time instruction.

Program participants would sign up as longer-term members, as opposed to enrolling as short-term students. 

These members would pay recurring fees – typically on a monthly or quarterly basis – and receive ongoing access to you and/or your course instructors, educational content, and membership community of peers.

2. Figure out Pricing

Break out the calculator (and Google), because it’s time to price your course . 

Depending on the business model you choose to structure your cohort program, you’ll either charge a one-time fee for your one-off course, or a recurring fee if you choose to launch a coaching membership .

There are a few ways to go about pricing your cohort course, but we recommend combining the  ‘Value-Based Pricing’ and ‘Competitive Pricing’ approaches to work out that magic number. As an overview…

The Value-Based Pricing approach refers to understanding the value proposition of your course, and what your target audience would be willing to pay in exchange for that value.

For example, will your course empower your students to permanently upskill themselves? Or perhaps, solve a major problem in their lives? Take the price that reflects the value you offer, then cross-reference that with the second approach:

The Competitive Pricing approach involves researching how much your competitors charge for their courses and comparing your course content to theirs (including the level of support or interaction they offer, and any additional resources or bonuses included in a premium price).

If you opt for the membership model, here’s a tool to help you figure out your pricing: 

Use our free tool to pinpoint your ideal membership price in just 3 steps, leveraging a decade of data.

3. Pick a Platform

Now, onto more exciting things: selecting an online course platform .

If you’re just experimenting with cohort programs and you’re new to monetizing your content, it might be best to hold off on paying for an online coaching platform for now. 

Instead, you can piece together different free – or affordable – tools to create an MVP course that you can use to test your audience’s willingness to pay.

You’ll need:

• Live streaming capabilities.
• Community features.
• Calendar sharing.
• Basic marketing tools.

For those creators who are ready to commit to building an online learning business, things get a whole lot easier if you opt for an all-in-one platform (like Uscreen). 

With a variety of coaches on Uscreen who have built and scaled their business, with all of these features and more built-in to the platform.

Take one of our creators, Big Picture Skiing , for example. Thier membership is designed to improve your skiing technique, run by expert ski instructor, Tom Gellie. 

The membership generates over $30,000 per month, giving it’s 300 members access to on-demand and live instructive content alongside an exclusive community of peers and instructors.

Want to see the Uscreen platform in action?

Build, launch and manage your membership, all in one place.

4. Design Your Course

The overall aim of this step is to develop a compelling curriculum, but this is also a good time to plan your content delivery schedule and strategize your community-building efforts.

Putting together content for a cohort program will look different for each and every course creator, but a universal tip for planning out a curriculum is that you should have clear answers to the following questions:

• What are the key outcomes of completing your course? 
• How does each module support one or more of these key outcomes?
• What are you providing in your live sessions that you couldn’t offer in pre-recorded content?
• Does the schedule and duration of your program align with the needs of your students?
• How does the element of community clearly enhance the experience of your course?

Not only will this help to focus and improve the value of your cohort program, but it will come in handy when you start marketing your program. Speaking of which, let’s hop into the next step!

5. Start Promoting Your Course

Once your cohort program is just about ready to launch, you can start building anticipation among your audience. But once you’ve built the hype, where should it go?

The answer: a landing page – the tried-and-true staple for promoting any digital product.

Here’s an example from one of the successful course-based memberships on Uscreen, Adjuster TV Plus.

Matt Allen, founder of Adjuster TV Plus , hosts a cohort course that students can enroll in, which he runs alongside his on-demand videos on his membership site.

Even when his cohort enrollment is full, he gives potential students an opportunity to join the waitlist, so he doesn’t lose out on the opportunity to market his next cohort and enroll those students later on.

Whenever you promote your upcoming cohort, direct your audience to that landing page where they can sign-up for updates – and maybe even secure a special discount for being one of the first few participants once you launch.

Have a promotional email sequence ready that highlights everything your audience needs to know before signing up and keeps your program top-of-mind until launch day.

The good news? You’ve already got your promotional messaging nailed down. The answers to the questions in the previous step can act as the core message wherever you plan to promote your course. 

Be sure to incorporate this messaging across your cohort platform, too. It will play a huge part in signing-up new participants long after you’ve launched.

Speaking of which…

6. Launch & Listen

The most exciting step of all: launching your cohort program!

While most of the work for building this course is behind you, there will be a lot of things you can do to continue to improve and strengthen your program once you’ve launched – making it an easier ‘sell’ and a more valuable course over time.

Luckily, finding out what to improve and how is an easy – and free – process. Simply monitor participant engagement throughout the duration of each cohort, and gather insights once each program is complete.

You can prompt students to give feedback directly, and also keep an ear to the ground wherever your community is active to get a better idea of what your participants are enjoying and what they might be struggling with.

Feedback from participants is worth its weight in gold, since you’re essentially looking to appeal to the same group of people (your target audience) for future cohorts. The insights you gather from your students will help you to iterate on your course content and continuously improve the learning experience.

Cohort-based courses are a unique way to monetize your expertise and connect closely with your community. From more revenue potential to better student loyalty and completion rates, a cohort program holds a ton of upside for creators who are interested in leading real-time learning.

And, if you love the model but aren’t sold on committing exclusively to live learning, you can consider the membership model for a perfect balance of on-demand and live streamed content. 

[On-Demand Demo CTA]

Cohort learning is proven to increase course completion rates thanks to its engaging format and personalized learning approach. As a result, this boosts student loyalty, encourages word of mouth marketing, and justifies a much higher enrollment fee compared to a typical online course.

Eden Metzler

Eden is a Content Marketer at Uscreen who’s intrigued by all things marketing and memberships. On any given day you can find her sipping on a sugar-free Red Bull, listening to a true-crime podcast, and abandoning yet another knitting project.

Enjoyed this read?

Stay up to date with the latest membership business news, strategies, and insights sent straight to your inbox!

Related Articles

In this complete guide, we’re going to walk you through everything you need to launch and grow a profitable online course membership site.

Step up your coaching business with 2023's top platforms! Gain insights on maximizing memberships and boosting your income.

Stuck between launching an online course or eLearning membership site? Read this article to know which is the best option for your business!

Subscribe to the Uscreen newsletter to receive the latest membership business insights, strategies and promotions straight to your inbox.

Free Course of the Month – 2023 Monthly SQL Practice Sets - Basic

• sql practice
• course of the month

Table of Contents

Why We Offer a Free SQL Course Every Month

Why sql practice is so crucial, what will you learn in this free sql practice course, 1.   people who want to refresh their sql knowledge, 2.   aspiring data analysts, 3.   job applicants getting ready for sql-based interviews, 4.   students, 5.   anyone seeking sql practice exercises, free sql course for may 2024: 2023 monthly sql practice sets - basic.

Start enhancing your SQL skills this May with our free SQL course, 2023 Monthly SQL Practice Sets - Basic !

Spring is a great time to learn something new or improve your current skills. This May, we’re offering a unique opportunity to boost your SQL knowledge through practical exercises drawn from real-world business scenarios.

Available free for the entire month, our 2023 Monthly SQL Practice Sets - Basic course provides interactive challenges involving databases from different industries. Dive into SQL practice that’s not only educational but also directly applicable to professional settings.

Take your SQL skills to the next level for free!

Take advantage of this chance to sharpen your SQL skills and tackle real-world query challenges, boosting your ability to manage and analyze data in the process. Here’s how to access your free SQL course in May 2024:

• Create a free LearnSQL.com account or log in if you already have one.
• Start the course . You have free access to its content until the end of the month.

At LearnSQL.com, we offer all users a free SQL course each month. This effort is part of our dedication to supporting aspiring SQL learners, particularly those on tight budgets. It provides a perfect chance for beginners to try our courses without financial outlay. Many have already taken advantage of this free access—why not join them?

This complimentary course also gives you a peek into our teaching approach. If you're interested in the quality and structure of our offerings, here's your opportunity to check them out for free. It's a no-cost, no-risk way to see if our educational methods meet your learning needs.

Countless learners have already benefited from this program—why not be the next?

SQL, or Structured Query Language , is essential for effective data management and analytics . It can unlock significant opportunities. SQL is the main language for managing and manipulating relational databases, making it vital for tasks such as data retrieval, modification, and analysis.

Simply put, knowing SQL is crucial for navigating and interpreting data in our increasingly data-focused society.

Consistent practice in SQL is key to enhancing your database skills – an important competency in many contemporary careers. The more you practice, the more adept you become at handling data efficiently. This includes fetching the right information, analyzing it, and organizing it effectively. But SQL proficiency goes beyond just executing queries; it involves a deeper comprehension of how to manage and interpret large data sets.

Mastering SQL can be beneficial for a range of careers, including:

• Data analysis
• Data science
• Business analysis
• Software development

Regular SQL practice not only boosts your resume but also equips you for a variety of roles where data is a key component, giving you a competitive edge in your career.

Each SQL query you write enhances your understanding of database functionality and effective data management. This activity extends beyond merely acquiring a technical skill—it cultivates a mindset geared towards analyzing intricate data and transforming it into actionable insights. Such skills are crucial for making data-driven, informed decisions.

Featuring 86 hands-on exercises , 2023 Monthly SQL Practice Sets - Basic

is structured to progressively improve your SQL skills. Starting with the basics of SQL, this course equips you to confidently navigate and manipulate data. As you tackle engaging exercises, you will advance to building complex queries and discovering data-backed insights.

Push your limits, tackle challenges, and master SQL skills this May – for free!

In this course, you’ll practice:

• Selecting data from a single table using SELECT and filtering it with WHERE .
• Sorting information using ORDER BY .
• Combining information from multiple tables using INNER JOIN , LEFT JOIN , RIGHT JOIN , and FULL JOIN .
• Computing statistics using aggregate functions like COUNT() , AVG() , SUM() , MIN() , and MAX() .
• Creating reports using GROUP BY and HAVING .
• Using complex subqueries.

This practice set consists of 6 parts , all derived from our monthly SQL practice courses. Each one will immerse you in a different business environment:

• In the February segment, you'll manage operations for a local gym.
• In the April segment, you'll handle data for a game development tournament.
• In the June segment, you'll oversee an online pet store's database.
• In the August segment, you'll engage with a healthcare clinic's database.
• In the October segment, you'll contribute to a publishing company's data management.
• In the December segment, you'll explore a cooking website's database.

As you progress through this course, you'll dive into a variety of business scenarios and apply SQL techniques to solve real-world problems. You'll learn to extract key insights such as customer trends, operational efficiencies, and market analytics.

By the end of this engaging SQL course, you'll have sharpened your SQL skills across multiple contexts, gaining valuable experience in data interpretation and application—a great asset for anyone interested in business analytics, market research, or data-driven decision-making.

Like every course at LearnSQL.com, 2023 Monthly SQL Practice Sets - Basic focuses on interactive learning. It features hands-on exercises and instant feedback, making it easy to grasp concepts quickly. You can start right away with just a web browser and an Internet connection, allowing you to review SQL from anywhere and at any time.

Who Should Take This Course?

Our free SQL course for May is an excellent resource for:

If you're just starting with SQL, begin with our SQL Basics course, then return here for some practice. This course is ideal for those with basic knowledge of SQL who are seeking practical experience.

This course is tailor-made for aspiring data analysts looking to sharpen their SQL abilities through practical exercises rooted in actual data scenarios. It explores core SQL techniques – including querying, data manipulation, and statistical evaluations – that are essential for any data analytics role. As participants work through the course, they'll apply these techniques to real-life challenges, enhancing their ability to navigate and decipher complex data sets for actionable insights.

For careershifters and jobseekers gearing up for SQL-focused interviews, this course is a crucial tool. It covers a wide range of SQL topics often tested in interviews, from basic commands to advanced query writing. The hands-on exercises will strengthen understanding and build confidence, helping them feel ready for their next interview.

If this describes you and you need more resources for SQL interview preparation, check out these useful articles:

• How to Prepare for an Advanced SQL Interview
• Top 10 MySQL Interview Questions and Answers
• Top 29 SQL Server Interview Questions
• Top 9 SQL GROUP BY Interview Questions
• SQL Window Functions Interview Questions

Students taking SQL or database courses will find this course extremely helpful. It enhances academic learning with practical SQL exercises that reinforce theoretical knowledge. Additionally, the course is great for exam preparation, providing numerous examples and exercises that reflect common test questions. Don't forget to check out our special offer for students !

For anyone aiming to improve their SQL skills or looking for stimulating SQL challenges, this course provides a variety of exercises. It covers everything from simple data retrieval to complex query building, suiting different interests and skill levels. This course is an ideal choice for keeping your SQL skills sharp, whether for professional growth or personal learning.

Jump into data analysis with our free 2023 Monthly SQL Practice Sets - Basic course this May. Engage with hands-on exercises that convert raw data into valuable insights and practical strategies—skills crucial in today's data-driven world.

Starting your SQL education has never been easier. LearnSQL.com is offering an interactive online SQL course at no cost. No hidden fees, no credit card required—just sign up and begin learning immediately.

Make a significant impact in your job and career!

You may also like

How Do You Write a SELECT Statement in SQL?

What Is a Foreign Key in SQL?

Enumerate and Explain All the Basic Elements of an SQL Query

Sky News projection: Labour on course to be largest party - but short of overall majority

Using the latest figures from the local elections, it can be projected that Labour is on course to be the largest party in parliament - but falls short of a Commons majority by 32 seats.

By Professor Michael Thrasher, Sky News elections analyst

Friday 3 May 2024 17:13, UK

Sky News has analysed over two million votes cast in the English council elections and used this to estimate a national vote share. Using these figures a projection of the House of Commons at the next general election shows Labour as the largest party in a hung Parliament.

Labour 's vote rises from 33% in 2019 to 35% on the current estimate, after more than half the wards have now declared.

The Liberal Democrats are on 16%, an increase of five percentage points on the 2019 election. This follows a familiar pattern where the party does better in council elections than in parliamentary elections.

Local election results: Relief for Sunak in key mayoral race

Other parties, such as the Greens, Reform, and independents, are projected to be on 22%.

This figure assumes also that votes for the nationalist parties in Scotland and Wales, places where no local elections took place, are unchanged from the previous election. The same condition applies to the 18 seats in Northern Ireland.

Assuming these changes in vote share occur uniformly across each of the newly drawn parliamentary constituencies in place for the next general election, Labour wins 294 seats and would overtake the Conservatives - but falls 32 seats short of gaining an overall majority.

The Conservatives fall from 372 seats on the new boundaries to just 242 seats, a projected loss of 130 seats. The Liberal Democrats rise from eight to 38 seats.

As is usual in such projections, there are individual constituencies where the count of local votes shows a party "winning" a constituency when the uniform swing suggests otherwise.

Two such examples are Aldershot and Plymouth Moor View, both of which fall to Labour when we aggregate local votes in wards lying within those constituencies.

Employing the same procedure, however, Labour's seat tally suffers when local votes in constituencies such as Blackburn and Oldham West were "won" by independents when actual votes are counted.

Labour easily retains these constituencies when uniform swing is considered.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

The large vote for others highlights a growing tendency in local elections for some voters to support a range of smaller parties.

This year that tendency is exaggerated still further with the swing away from Labour towards independents in certain parts of the country.

Related Topics

• Conservatives
• Keir Starmer
• Local elections 2024
• Rishi Sunak

Sign in to add this item to your wishlist, follow it, or mark it as ignored

Sign in to see reasons why you may or may not like this based on your games, friends, and curators you follow.

Planned Release Date: 8 May, 2024

This game plans to unlock in approximately 15 hours

About This Game

Game Details

About wolverinesoft studio, system requirements.

• Processor: Whatever you have
• Memory: 1000 GB RAM
• Graphics: Sure
• Sound Card: Does anyone even still have one of these?
• Processor: Both Intel and Silicon
• Graphics: Indeed

More like this

You can write your own review for this product to share your experience with the community. Use the area above the purchase buttons on this page to write your review.

You can use this widget-maker to generate a bit of HTML that can be embedded in your website to easily allow customers to purchase this game on Steam.

Enter up to 375 characters to add a description to your widget:

Copy and paste the HTML below into your website to make the above widget appear

Popular user-defined tags for this product: (?)

Sign in to add your own tags to this product.

To Host this Course , please visit coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast//training/advancing-coastal-resilience.html .

Advancing Coastal Resilience through Nature-Based Solutions

Peer-to-peer sharing allows for the exchange of ideas, approaches, successes, and challenges, and can foster future collaborations among coastal managers, decision-makers, stewards, and nature-based solutions practitioners. This webinar series supports this type of sharing and features speakers showcasing NOAA-supported projects that use nature-based solutions to advance coastal resilience. Speakers will share techniques and approaches, accomplishments, lessons learned, and more.

Learning Outcomes

• Access ideas for new techniques or practices, designs, partnerships, workforce development, maintenance, and monitoring
• Identify ways to overcome common challenges associated with the implementation of nature-based solutions

Participant Requirements

• Internet connection
• Access to Google Meet

Professional Credit

American Institute of Certified Planners – 1.5 hours

Association of Floodplain Managers – 1.5 hours

Host Information

• Where and When?

Where and when would you like the course to take place?

Review your request, thank you, {{= firstname }}.

We've received your request. A trainer will be in touch with you shortly to discuss the details of your request.

Explore our classroom course catalog for additional courses to host for your organization.

Contributing Partners

• NOAA Office for Coastal Management

Related Resources

You may be interested in these related resources found on Digital Coast.

Related Stories

• Applying Green Infrastructure to Stem Runoff and Safeguard Corals in Puerto Rico
• Preparing for Future Coastal Hazards Using Green Infrastructure in Puerto Rico
• Using Green Infrastructure to Reduce Coastal Hazard Impacts in Alaska

Related Training

• A Community Works Together to Restore the Floodplain and Reduce Damages
• Building Momentum for Green Infrastructure Implementation
• Coastal Adaptation Planning Guide: Five Steps for Beginners
• Designing Living Shorelines for New England Coasts
• Dune Restoration Increases Flood Protection and Access for Community
• Fostering Resilient, Multimodal Transportation Solutions along the California Coast
• From Gray to Green: Replacing a Bulkhead with a Living Shoreline at a High-Energy Riverine Site
• Funding and Financing Coastal Resilience Webinars
• Funding and Financing: Options and Considerations for Coastal Resilience Projects
• Green Infrastructure Effectiveness Database
• Green Infrastructure Protective Services
• Implementing Green Infrastructure at Multiple Scales to Enhance Resilience
• Natural and Structural Measures for Shoreline Stabilization
• Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Hazards
• Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Hazards: The Basics
• Nature-Based Solutions: Benefits, Costs, and Economic Assessments
• Using Novel Approaches to Create Resilient Dune Systems Following Hurricane Maria
• Virtual - Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Hazards