Is there a difference between an Online and Full-time university degree?
15 min. | 29. 1. 2026
Why, in today's digital age, do many of us still question whether a university education obtained online has the same value and relevance as a degree obtained through Full-time study? These doubts are mainly based on stereotypes formed by experiences with courses from educational platforms or certain professional training courses for companies and individuals. Their content is often of very high quality, but in many cases it is not necessary to pass an exam with clearly defined requirements in order to successfully complete the course. However, this is where university studies and micro-certificate studies differ. To complete individual courses, it is necessary to pass an assessment, and the requirements for course content and assessment are no different from those we place on students in face-to-face study.
1. Accreditation and quality of study: why the form of study is not decisive
The value of a university education is not dependent on whether a student studies in a school building or in their living room, on vacation abroad or in their favorite café. The quality of education is guaranteed by the institution that provides it. University study programs must pass an accreditation process. The authority to which Czech universities are subordinate is the National Accreditation Office for Tertiary Education.
The National Accreditation Office decides on the accreditation of a specific study program or grants a university the right to carry out the accreditation process. The decisions of the National Accreditation Office are based on an assessment of the quality of the university institution. The key criteria are the content of the study program and the subjects included in it, the quality of the teachers, and the quality of the study materials.
At Unicorn University, we offer bachelor's degree programs in full-time, part-time, and online learning formats. A degree obtained through any of these forms of study has the same weight. The form of study is not a criterion of quality. The study plan and content of the subjects are the same for all forms of study, and students can change between the different forms during their studies according to their time availability and preferences. All students, regardless of the form of study, must meet the same conditions for the assessment of individual subjects, passing the final state exams, and writing and defending their final thesis.
The National Accreditation Office decides on the accreditation of a specific study program or grants a university the right to carry out the accreditation process. The decisions of the National Accreditation Office are based on an assessment of the quality of the university institution. The key criteria are the content of the study program and the subjects included in it, the quality of the teachers, and the quality of the study materials.
At Unicorn University, we offer bachelor's degree programs in full-time, part-time, and online learning formats. A degree obtained through any of these forms of study has the same weight. The form of study is not a criterion of quality. The study plan and content of the subjects are the same for all forms of study, and students can change between the different forms during their studies according to their time availability and preferences. All students, regardless of the form of study, must meet the same conditions for the assessment of individual subjects, passing the final state exams, and writing and defending their final thesis.
2. Valid university degree
A degree obtained through online study is just as valid as a degree obtained through full-time study. The content of the university diploma and its supplement are identical for all forms of study. They contain information about the study program, the subjects studied, including grades obtained and the results of final state exams and thesis defenses. The diploma states which program the graduate studied. The form of study is not stated directly on the diploma. Information about it is included in the diploma supplement. If a student changes the form of study during their studies, the form in which they were enrolled at the time of graduation is stated.
3. Step-by-step guide to online study
Distance learning takes place entirely online. Students never have to come to the school building. The admission process is conducted online. Students participate in classes, tests, workshops, and exams online throughout their studies via virtual classrooms and virtual exam rooms. State final exams and thesis defenses are also conducted remotely. The study department's office hours are fully online, and we are able to issue and send all necessary documents in electronic form.
Navigating the organization of teaching is simple. Students have detailed information in the information system. The recommended study plan is key. The study plan describes which subjects students should study in a given semester. The bachelor's program lasts three and a half years. Three years are devoted to teaching, and the last six months are intended for professional practice.
Each subject also has a recommended study schedule, in which the material is broken down by week of the semester. For each week, there are links to specific study materials that students should work on as part of their self-study. We provide all study materials free of cost. Everything is included in the tuition fee. We use interactive books, online courses, and instructional videos for teaching. The materials are fully online and available 24/7. All you need is an internet connection, and you can study while on vacation in the mountains or at the beach.
Some courses include homework assignments or term papers, and tests, exams, and workshops are held during the exam period. Teaching is primarily based on self-study, which provides a high degree of flexibility. Self-study is supplemented by online consultations, which are held regularly for each subject, usually once a month. Participation in consultations is not mandatory, but they are a good place to ask questions and interact with classmates and teachers.
We often get questions about what online exams or workshops look like and how tests are written. Security and ethics are ensured by the functionality of our information system. Online exams take place in a Microsoft Teams virtual classroom. At the beginning of the assessment, the teacher always verifies the student's identity. We use ID checks and two-factor authentication software to verify identity. For written tests, students connect to virtual exam rooms where they take online tests using proctoring. When taking tests, identity is verified in the same way as for oral exams and workshops. Throughout the test, students are supervised by a proctor who can hear the sound from their computer, see their shared screen, and monitor the test setting.
State final exams and thesis defenses take place in virtual exam rooms. The exam committee connects from the school building, while students connect from the comfort of their own homes. After successful completion of their studies, we are always delighted when students make an exception and attend the graduation ceremony. However, we are happy to send diplomas by mail upon request.
Navigating the organization of teaching is simple. Students have detailed information in the information system. The recommended study plan is key. The study plan describes which subjects students should study in a given semester. The bachelor's program lasts three and a half years. Three years are devoted to teaching, and the last six months are intended for professional practice.
Each subject also has a recommended study schedule, in which the material is broken down by week of the semester. For each week, there are links to specific study materials that students should work on as part of their self-study. We provide all study materials free of cost. Everything is included in the tuition fee. We use interactive books, online courses, and instructional videos for teaching. The materials are fully online and available 24/7. All you need is an internet connection, and you can study while on vacation in the mountains or at the beach.
Some courses include homework assignments or term papers, and tests, exams, and workshops are held during the exam period. Teaching is primarily based on self-study, which provides a high degree of flexibility. Self-study is supplemented by online consultations, which are held regularly for each subject, usually once a month. Participation in consultations is not mandatory, but they are a good place to ask questions and interact with classmates and teachers.
We often get questions about what online exams or workshops look like and how tests are written. Security and ethics are ensured by the functionality of our information system. Online exams take place in a Microsoft Teams virtual classroom. At the beginning of the assessment, the teacher always verifies the student's identity. We use ID checks and two-factor authentication software to verify identity. For written tests, students connect to virtual exam rooms where they take online tests using proctoring. When taking tests, identity is verified in the same way as for oral exams and workshops. Throughout the test, students are supervised by a proctor who can hear the sound from their computer, see their shared screen, and monitor the test setting.
State final exams and thesis defenses take place in virtual exam rooms. The exam committee connects from the school building, while students connect from the comfort of their own homes. After successful completion of their studies, we are always delighted when students make an exception and attend the graduation ceremony. However, we are happy to send diplomas by mail upon request.
4. How employers think about online study
For employers, the form in which a job applicant obtained their education is not key. What is important is the quality and reputation of the institution that provided the education, valid accreditation, and, of course, the content of the study program and the graduate's profile—i.e., the knowledge and skills that the applicant possesses. Completing a fully online degree also shows that the applicant can effectively use current technologies and has no problem adapting to a hybrid or online work model. A large part of the study takes place asynchronously in the form of self-study, which requires students to be independent, responsible, and continuously prepared. These skills are valued by every employer.
“I see online study today as a fully-fledged and highly practical form of education that naturally develops competencies essential for the contemporary labour market. Moreover, studying alongside employment requires a high degree of independence, effective time management, adaptability to new situations, and the ability to actively work with technology. These are precisely the qualities that employers are increasingly seeking in candidates. Ultimately, it is not the mode of study that matters most, but the quality of the knowledge gained and the ability to apply it in practice.”
Michaela Pojezdná, Managing Director at Deckard & Penfield (a recruitment agency)
Michaela Pojezdná, Managing Director at Deckard & Penfield (a recruitment agency)
5. Study that fits your life
Online study is particularly suitable for those who need flexibility and need to combine their studies with their personal life, family, and work commitments. Many students join the study program during parental leave. The opportunity to study online at Unicorn University is also used by top athletes who want to obtain a university education but are unable to study in person due to frequent training sessions, camps, trips abroad, and competitions.
Online study is inclusive. It allows those who do not have sufficient financial resources to live or commute to Prague, or who live in more remote locations with complicated transport links, to obtain a university education. The option of studying entirely online makes it easier for those interested in studying who have physical or mental health disabilities to obtain an education. For people with reduced mobility, distance learning is the obvious choice. Online study also makes it easier to obtain an education in cases of mental health complications such as anxiety. We also have students who are unable to attend school in person because they are caring for a loved one, and flexibility is important to them. A big advantage is that during the course of study, which lasts a total of 3.5 years, it is possible to change the form of study if the circumstances under which the student is studying change.
We also offer online study in English, providing an opportunity to gain a bachelor's degree from the European Union to applicants from third countries who are interested in high-quality education but are prevented from attending full-time study due to a lack of financial resources or the inability to obtain a visa.
Online study is inclusive. It allows those who do not have sufficient financial resources to live or commute to Prague, or who live in more remote locations with complicated transport links, to obtain a university education. The option of studying entirely online makes it easier for those interested in studying who have physical or mental health disabilities to obtain an education. For people with reduced mobility, distance learning is the obvious choice. Online study also makes it easier to obtain an education in cases of mental health complications such as anxiety. We also have students who are unable to attend school in person because they are caring for a loved one, and flexibility is important to them. A big advantage is that during the course of study, which lasts a total of 3.5 years, it is possible to change the form of study if the circumstances under which the student is studying change.
We also offer online study in English, providing an opportunity to gain a bachelor's degree from the European Union to applicants from third countries who are interested in high-quality education but are prevented from attending full-time study due to a lack of financial resources or the inability to obtain a visa.
Education takes many forms in today's modern world, and its quality is not determined by the form it takes. The quality of education is primarily determined by the quality of the institution that provides it in accordance with the applicable accreditations granted by the National Accreditation Authority. The content of the study program and the profile of the graduate are also crucial, which, like the difficulty of the study, are the same in all forms of study.
