Between work and everything else you've got going on, gaining a new qualification might seem impossible. But blended learning makes it more achievable than you think.

Blended learning at Portobello Institute combines online learning with scheduled classes held during weekday evenings or weekends. It offers a different way to study, with a timetable designed to fit more easily around your existing commitments.

Everyone's circumstances are different. Many of our students are working full-time. Others are raising a family. Some are even competing in elite sport.

Whatever your situation, there's more than one route towards the career you want, and blended learning could help you gain the qualification you need to get there.

What Is Blended Learning?

Whether you're considering a further education qualification, an undergraduate degree, or postgraduate study, Portobello Institute offers blended learning options for most of our programmes.

Rather than attending all your classes on campus in Dublin through a weekly timetable, blended learning allows you to complete much of your learning online, alongside scheduled in-person teaching and practical sessions where required.

Another benefit is that you don't need to live close to campus to study at Portobello Institute. With much of your learning taking place online, you can significantly reduce the time and expense of travelling to Dublin, attending in person only when your programme requires it.

While the delivery format varies from programme to programme, the aim is the same: to give you more flexibility in how you study.

This could look like:

  • Attending live online lectures
  • Accessing recorded learning materials in your own time
  • Taking part in practical sessions during scheduled evenings or weekends, where required

Say you're planning on changing careers and want to work towards becoming a speech and language therapist. Through blended learning for our MSc Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-registration), you could attend online classes during weekday evenings and in-person practical sessions at weekends, alongside required clinical placements.

Or, if you're already working in early years education and want to deepen your knowledge through an honours degree, the online evening lectures and Saturday online workshops offered through our BA (Hons) Early Childhood Care & Education could make the programme a great fit for you.

For some qualifications, such as our MSc Dietetics (Pre-registration), Portobello Institute is currently the only provider in Ireland offering a choice between blended and in-person learning.

We’re committed to creating more opportunities for our students, so you can work towards the career you want in a way that fits your lifestyle.

Is Blended Learning the Same as Part-Time Study?

Now this is an important distinction to be aware of. Blended learning doesn't mean studying part-time. Your programme is still full-time. With blended delivery, a two-year qualification isn't stretched over three years, for example.

Blended learning doesn't mean studying entirely online either. Some programmes still require some in-person attendance and include compulsory professional placements, giving you valuable practical experience to prepare you for your future career.

How Does Blended Learning Differ from In-Person Learning?

The main difference between blended and in-person learning is how and when you attend classes.

Blended learning combines online study with scheduled teaching, often during evenings or weekends, whereas in-person learning generally involves attending classes on campus during weekdays.

Both offer opportunities to learn from expert tutors and gain practical experience, but the format and timetable differ.

 

Blended learning

In-person learning

Teaching schedule

Classes generally take place during weekday evenings or weekends

Classes generally take place during weekdays

Learning environment

Combines online learning with scheduled teaching, which may include in-person sessions

Teaching takes place primarily on campus, with some online learning depending on the programme

Flexibility

May be easier to accommodate alongside work and other commitments

May suit students who are available to attend classes during the working week

Travel and commuting

Reduces the need to travel to campus regularly, although some in-person attendance may be required

Generally requires regular travel to campus during weekdays

Tutor interaction

Opportunities to engage with tutors through online lectures and other scheduled sessions

Regular opportunities for face-to-face interaction with tutors

Practical learning

May include mandatory on-campus workshops or practical sessions

Practical teaching generally takes place within the campus timetable

Independent study

Required alongside scheduled teaching

Required alongside scheduled teaching

Work placements

May be required, depending on the programme

May be required, depending on the programme

Can You Study While Working Full-Time?

Studying while working full-time is possible, and blended learning can make balancing these two areas of your life more manageable.

With lectures and classes generally taking place during weekday evenings or weekends, you may be able to continue earning and gaining professional experience while working towards your qualification.

For someone considering a career change, that could mean gaining the knowledge needed to enter a different profession without immediately leaving their current role.

Maybe you're already established in your field? If so, blended learning could allow you to continue developing professionally while applying what you learn directly in your workplace.

Of course, studying for a qualification is a commitment, and you'll need to dedicate time and effort to your learning outside of scheduled classes.

Assignments and independent study are core parts of the experience, so you should consider how you'll fit these into your routine.

A lot of programmes also include compulsory in-person professional placements that take place during working hours, so it's important to check these requirements when planning your studies.

Real Student Experiences

No two experiences of studying are the same. Laura Twomey, Hayley Gleeson, and Faith Oviawe are just three of the hundreds of Portobello Institute students who have chosen blended learning for different reasons.

Laura Twomey: Returning to Education While Working and Raising a Family

As a mother of three working as a special needs assistant (SNA), Laura Twomey wanted to pursue her long-held ambition of gaining a degree while balancing work and family responsibilities.

She chose Portobello Institute's BA (Hons) Inclusive Education Practice for its blended learning format.

“The flexibility of online learning was important as it allowed me to balance studying with work and family life,” Laura explains.

“It gave me the chance to return to education in a way that felt manageable and realistic in my life.”

Read Laura's full story.

Hayley Gleeson: Studying for a Degree with Two Young Children

When Hayley Gleeson began her BA (Ord) Early Childhood Care & Education, she was working as an early years educator and raising two young children, including a four-month-old baby. With her husband regularly working away, she managed much of the childcare herself.

“I needed something that would work around my lifestyle,” Hayley explains. “Being able to watch the recorded lessons and have tutors on hand to support and answer questions was a huge help.”

Having completed her level 7 degree, Hayley has since progressed to Portobello's BA (Hons) Early Childhood Care & Education top-up.

Read Hayley's full story.

Faith Oviawe: Balancing Master's Studies with International Rugby

Faith Oviawe needed flexibility for a different reason: she continues to train and compete as a Connacht and Ireland rugby player while preparing for her future career as a speech and language therapist.

Faith chose Portobello Institute's MSc Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-registration), which offers online evening lectures and in-person weekend classes – a format that works around her busy schedule.

“With my rugby commitments, including training and playing at a high level, having that flexibility was really important to me,” Faith explains.

“It felt like a course that could fit around my life rather than me having to completely put everything else on hold.”

Read Faith's full story.

Which Delivery Is Right for You?

Finding the right programme is one thing but choosing how you study is just as important. The best delivery format depends on your preferences and what suits your day-to-day routine.

Blended learning may be a good fit if you want to continue working while studying or live further away from campus.

On the other hand, if you enjoy learning in a classroom environment and prefer regular face-to-face interaction with tutors and fellow students, in-person study could be the better choice.

At Portobello Institute, not every programme offers both delivery options, so we advise exploring what's available for your chosen qualification.

Explore Your Options

Browse our programmes online and check individual course pages for teaching schedules, attendance requirements, and other important information.

Unsure which option is right for you? Our Career Pathway Consultants can guide you through the available delivery formats and help you make an informed decision about your next steps.