You're studying part-time or just completed your degree. Now you want to include it on your CV. The good news: a degree on your CV is always a plus. Regardless of whether it's distance learning, campus-based, or blended learning. What matters is that you present it correctly and advantageously.
Listing a Completed Degree on Your CV
A completed degree belongs in the "Education" section. The entry follows a clear format:
- Period: MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY
- Degree: Academic title and field of study (e.g., "Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Business Administration")
- University: Name of the university, location
- Grade: Only include if strong (First Class/2:1 in the UK system, or equivalent)
- Specialisations: Optional, if relevant to the position
A distance learning degree is listed exactly like any other degree. The qualification is identical, the university is accredited, the degree is recognised. You don't need to write "distance learning" separately. But if you mention it, it's not a disadvantage.
Important: always use the official degree title. So "Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Business Informatics" rather than just "Business Informatics". The academic degree is what you studied for. It belongs prominently on your CV.
Presenting an Ongoing Degree on Your CV
An incomplete part-time degree also belongs on your CV. The wording:
- Period: "since MM/YYYY" (no end date)
- Degree: "expected degree: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Business Psychology"
- Expected completion: "expected MM/YYYY"
- University: Name of the university
This shows the employer: you're continuing your education. You're investing in your qualifications. And you have the discipline to study alongside work. For many recruiters, that's a strong signal.
If you're in a job application phase while still studying, you can also state how many ECTS you've already earned. "Currently 120 of 180 ECTS completed" shows that you're close to the finish line.
Good to Know
Mention your part-time degree in your cover letter too. Frame it as a strength: "I am currently completing a part-time Master's in XY, deepening my expertise in [relevant area]." This demonstrates initiative and resilience.
Distance Learning on Your CV: Advantage or Disadvantage?
This question comes up often. The answer is clear: a distance learning qualification on your CV is an advantage. Employers know that distance learning alongside a job requires self-discipline, time management, and initiative. These soft skills are in demand.
If you completed the degree while working, you can emphasise that. The phrase "part-time degree" signals: you didn't just study, you managed it alongside a job. That impresses.
Some applicants worry that a distance learning degree is worth less than a campus-based degree. That's unfounded. The academic qualification is legally equivalent. The graduation certificate doesn't say "distance learning". It states the degree, the university, and the grade. That's it.
Listing a Dropped-Out Degree on Your CV
Even an incomplete degree can go on your CV. If you only studied for one semester, leave it off. For two or more semesters, you can include it with the wording "studies without completion". State how many ECTS you earned. This shows that you engaged academically, even if you didn't finish the degree.
In the interview, you may be asked about the reason. Prepare a brief, honest answer. "I reoriented my career" or "My circumstances changed" are acceptable explanations. No recruiter expects every career path to be perfectly linear.
Updating LinkedIn and Professional Profiles
Your CV doesn't just live on paper. Update your LinkedIn profile as well. Add the degree under "Education" as soon as you start. On LinkedIn, you can also add skills you've acquired during your studies. This improves your visibility to recruiters.
Use the description fields on LinkedIn: mention specialisations, relevant projects, or the topic of your thesis. Recruiters search by keywords. The more specific your profile, the more often you'll be found. Certificates and continuing education courses completed as part of your degree also belong in your profile.
A part-time degree on your CV doesn't just show expertise. It shows character.
What Employers Really Think About Distance Learning Graduates
In over 120 consultations, I regularly hear how students worry about how their distance learning degree will be perceived. The reality looks different. Recruiters evaluate the qualification, not the study format. Whether you sat in a lecture hall or studied at your kitchen table doesn't matter to most employers.
What counts: the academic degree, the accreditation of the university, and the relevance of the programme for the role. When everything checks out, the degree opens the same doors as any other.
Next Step: Finding the Right Programme
Before you can enhance your CV, you need the right programme. In a free consultation, we find out which degree programme matches your career goals. And if you first want to test whether a degree is the right step right now, use the appointment for an initial consultation.
Conclusion
Your degree on your CV is a career accelerator. Whether completed or ongoing, whether distance learning or campus-based: list it correctly, emphasise the part-time component, and use it as a strength in your cover letter. Employers value initiative. And that's exactly what studying alongside work proves.