How to choose between Online and On-Campus Study
Here at Falmouth, we're empowering the next generation of creatives – whether you study online or from our campuses in Cornwall.
When choosing your undergraduate or postgraduate degree, one of the biggest things to consider is how you want to study: on campus or online. There are differences between the two modes of study, and some similarities: it’s about finding what’s right for you and your lifestyle.
Here we compare all aspects of on campus and online study, to help you make the right choice about your creative future at Falmouth.
Location
On-campus
Cornwall has been inspiring creatives, innovators and entrepreneurs for centuries. Our two Cornwall campuses in the towns of Penryn and Falmouth are welcoming communities where you’ll be studying alongside people from all walks of life.
You'll benefit from our industry standard facilities on each campus. They have been carefully designed and developed with professional consultation and ongoing investment to ensure that, as an on-campus graduate, you're more than equipped to succeed in your chosen profession.
Accommodation is also a big factor to consider when choosing to study on campus. Whether you want the ease of living on campus itself, a home just moments from the sea, or a vibrant spot in the heart of Falmouth town, living in Cornwall is an experience like no other.
If you’re a new undergraduate student, we have a range of student accommodation options. From shared rooms to self-contained studio apartments, with both self-catered and catered options available, you can find a space that fits your lifestyle and budget.
If you’re a postgraduate student, there are private rental options in Falmouth or Penryn town, and the city of Truro is just 20 minutes away on a direct rail line. If you have a disability and need to live on campus, you can contact us for support.
Online
If you want to study with Falmouth while staying close to home, online study could be just right for you. There are lots of reasons why moving away for university isn’t for everyone; from health and personal reasons to financial and practical ones, our online degrees allow you to access our creative community and industry-practicing lecturers from your home or studio. Most of our students work from home; in an office or spare room. One of our recent master’s students had a ‘studio’ on her kitchen table...!
Through our virtual leaning environment, you’ll have access to academics, online tutors, student advisors and a supportive student group to help you push your creative and professional skills further. You can study from almost anywhere – at home, in a café, on the beach, a library or anywhere you have Wi-Fi.
Flexibility
On-campus
As a creative institution, we pride ourselves on our professional-standard workshops, studios and equipment. You'll have access to all of this, as well as in-person teaching and collaboration with your peers.
Your experience will always be predominantly in-person, including seminars, tutorials and studio teaching, which you will be required to attend at set times. Some, more targeted elements, may be delivered online, either live (synchronous) or pre-recorded (asynchronous).
Online
Our online courses are specifically designed and structured for flexible study, to allow you to work, care for families and deal with other commitments while studying.
All course content is pre-recorded, so you can dive into the material whenever it works best for you, with new course content released each week. There are regular optional live lectures, but you don't have to attend these at the time; everything is recorded so you can catch up later.
Whether you like to study in short bursts with breaks in between or prefer to block out longer study sessions, you will have 24/7 access to the virtual learning environment, so can manage your time however you like.
Study style
On-campus
We know everyone learns differently, so our courses include a variety of engaging activities to bring out the best in you.
On-campus teaching and learning at Falmouth is delivered in a wide range of ways, depending on the course and level of study, to meet the needs of the 21st century. This includes in-person seminars, tutorials and studio teaching, site visits and residentials, and independent studio time for experimenting and collaboration. However, where it offers a better learning experience, we enhance this with digital elements – and this combination is known as ‘digitally enhanced learning’.
Online
All elements of our online degrees are designed to support creative thinking, working and collaboration, with modules crafted by academics and learning designers placing creativity at the heart of the learning experience.
Our courses are designed to support you as you grow into a fully independent practitioner and learner, sparking your creativity and encouraging new ideas. Learning activities you might engage in as part of online study at Falmouth include group critiques and peer feedback; opportunities to collaborate, share ideas and research; industry guest speaker programmes, and optional in-person events.
This level of flexibility can also help you to work around your own personal situation – whether that be neurodivergence, learning differences or other disabilities meaning doing things in your own time and space is best for you.
Please note that students on our online degrees do not have access to on campus technical facilities, workshops, studios and equipment. However, the online libraries, resources and student support services are all available to you.
Lifestyle
On-campus
Falmouth might not be a city, but when it comes to creative and wonderful events, festivals, activities and nights out, our vibrant community constantly pushes the boundaries of what a town can do.
Whether you want to soak up inspiration in Cornwall’s wild landscape, take a beach walk or evening sea swim, our on-campus students enjoy a truly unique experience.
Online
‘Online’ doesn’t mean you’re on your own, and in fact, our online courses are specifically designed and delivered to support collaboration, tutor and peer-to-peer engagement and meaningful relationship-building.
Studying online also means your lifestyle doesn’t have to change, whether its combining studying with looking after family, working, running your own business or travelling the world.
Student Voices
Get the inside scoop on the Falmouth lifestyle directly from our on-campus and online students.
Find out more
Funding and living costs
On-campus
If you're considering studying on-campus in Falmouth, then finance will be an important part of your study plans. Tuition fees are the cost to study with us, and these vary by level of study and whether you’re a UK or international student.
Depending on your course, level of study and personal circumstances, there are lots of ways you can fund your studies, from UK Government Student Funding to personal loans. We also offer a number of scholarships, bursaries and awards to support payment of tuition fees for eligible students, which you can read about here.
You should also consider living costs when budgeting for on-campus university life. Living costs include everything from accommodation fees, utilities bills and food to transport and socialising.
Online
The tuition fees and funding for online study at Falmouth are different to those for on-campus study, but funding is very similar.
Tuition fees still relate to the cost to study with us, but they are different to on-campus tuition fees. These vary by level of study but unlike on-campus, are the same regardless of whether you’re a UK or international student.
All of our online master’s and undegraduate courses are eligible for tuition fee UK Government funding from Student Finance, just like an on-campus course.
Undergraduate
If you study an online undergraduate degree with Falmouth you'll be studying an accelerated degree (whether you choose to study part-time over three years or full-time over two years), which overall makes it the tuition fees for an online undergraduate degree cheaper than a three year on campus degree.
UK undergraduate students studying an online accelerated degree may be eligible for a tuition fee loan. Go to the Government's website to find out more about accelerated tuition fee loans and how to apply.
Funding for your lifestyle is different for online degrees. Maintenance loans are not available for online, distance learning study unless you are unable to attend a course on campus because of a disability, recognised by Student Finance.
International students studying online will need to secure funding from their home country or a private source.
Postgraduate
The majority of online postgraduate students fund their studies with a UK Government Master's Loan, although students on our PGDips and PGCHE are not eligible for this loan. You may also be eligible for our scholarships, bursaries and awards.
Studying online means you won’t have to pay for additional accommodation or travel, and so in terms of living costs, there should be no change in your outgoings.
Our postgraduate online courses also have unique scholarships and financial awards to help you fund your studies, which you can see more of below.
Application process
On-campus
Undergraduate
You can apply for our on-campus undergraduate degrees via UCAS. You'll need our university UCAS code (F33) as well as your course code (which you'll find on your course page) for your application.
If you’re an international student, you can apply through UCAS, via an agent in your country or direct for some courses.
Postgraduate
You can apply for a master's through UCAS, or directly our Online Application Portal. For MPhil or PhDs, please apply to us direct.
Online courses
For our online undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, there are several ways you can apply, depending on the course you choose, your education and work experience. Our friendly Course Advisors are on hand to provide you with any assistance you might need.
You can apply for our online undergraduate degrees via UCAS – just as you would for an on campus course. You'll need our university UCAS code (F33) as well as your course code (which you'll find on your course page) for your application.
You can apply for our part-time undergraduate degrees, as well as our online postgraduate degrees, directly with us.
You can also apply for our full-time undergraduate degrees directly, and this is the best option if you don’t have the UCAS points, have been out of education for a longer period of time, or have a non-standard educational background. This is your opportunity to tell us why you’re a great applicant.
Graduate prospects
This is the one area where there is no difference! Whether you choose to study online or on-campus, you’ll get the same level of support, industry connections and opportunities to develop your practice and hone your skills for a wide range of exciting careers.
Hear all about the trailblazing careers of our graduates in the UK and across the world.
Get in touch
