Why study an online professional course with Essex Online?
Whether you’re looking to progress in your career or move into a new industry, the University of Essex Online offers a range of 20-credit online professional courses at a postgraduate level to help you get there.
Keep up to date with your CPD
As the courses are accredited by the CPD Certification Service, you can use them as part of your CPD training log. From business, computing, criminology, education, health, law to psychology, the University of Essex Online offers a vast portfolio of courses to suit your needs. Gain industry knowledge in your chosen subject, stay up to day with emerging trends and get ahead in your career.
Open entry routes available
There’s no formal qualification or experience required for the online professional courses. Due to the courses being delivered in English, a high proficiency of English is required from all applicants. If English isn’t your first language, your proficiency should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5. Not to worry, if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent, the University of Essex Online offers a free online English test to assess your proficiency.
If you’re a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries, you don’t need to prove your English ability.
Study around your commitments
Enjoy the flexibility of online and part-time study at an institution with over 15 years’ delivering high quality online education. The online professional courses are designed to be completed in as little as 13 weeks. You’ll study via the state of the art virtual learning environment (VLE) where you’ll access your study materials 24/7, from any device. The VLE is also where you’ll be able to submit assignments, receive tutor feedback, interact with classmates in discussion forums and more.
Use as a standalone qualification or as a gateway into postgraduate study
On successful completion of your online professional course, you’ll be awarded 20 academic credits at postgraduate level. You’ll also receive a digital certificate which you’ll be able to use as a standalone qualification or to progress onto further study. Over a quarter of our students who studied an online professional course have progressed on to a PG Cert, PG Dip or full Masters degree (based on internal data from August 2025).
Discover how Elisa Tsui used an online professional course as a stepping-stone into postgraduate education.
Study with an established UK university
All University of Essex Online courses are validated by the University of Essex, a top 15 UK university (Guardian University Guide 2026). By studying with Essex Online you’ll get to benefit from world-class research, high quality teaching and become part of a global community.
Interested to learn more? Download a brochure.
Ready to apply? Start your application today.
