The Most Flexible Degrees for Students Who Want to Travel
With remote work booming (80% of companies now offer flexible arrangements, per McKinsey, 2024) and over 30,000 international students choosing South Africa annually (QS Rankings, 2025), flexible degrees are the key to studying while exploring the world. This article, crafted to be the best online resource, uncovers the most flexible degrees for travel-loving students, with a focus on South African options and global applicability.
Why Flexibility Matters for Traveling Students
Traveling while studying demands degrees with:
- Remote Accessibility: Online or hybrid formats.
- Self-Paced Learning: No rigid semester ties.
- Global Relevance: Skills that work anywhere.
- Minimal Campus Time: Freedom to roam.
South Africa’s diverse education system—23 public universities, 115 private institutions (DHET, 2024)—and growing digital infrastructure make it a hub for such programs. Here are the top flexible degrees to fuel your wanderlust.
The Most Flexible Degrees for Travel
1. Business Administration (BBA/BCom) – UNISA Online
- Why It’s Flexible: UNISA’s Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) offers fully online BBA and BCom degrees, with no mandatory campus visits. Study from a Cape Town café or a Thai beach—your choice.
- Travel Perks: Self-paced modules (4–6 per year) fit around travel plans. Exams can be taken at global centers (e.g., London, Dubai).
- Skills: Management, marketing, and entrepreneurship—universal tools for freelancing or starting a travel blog (R250,000–R500,000/year potential).
- Cost: R15,000–R40,000 annually.
- South African Edge: UNISA’s 370,000+ students prove its scalability (UNISA, 2024).
UNISA’s BBA lets you run a business—or your life—from anywhere.
2. Information Technology (BSc IT) – Mancosa Distance Learning
- Why It’s Flexible: Mancosa’s BSc IT is 100% online, with optional weekend webinars you can join from any timezone.
- Travel Perks: Coding and IT skills are laptop-based—work from Bali or Berlin. Trimesters keep you moving year-round.
- Skills: Web development, cybersecurity—hot skills for remote gigs (R300,000–R600,000/year, Tech SA, 2024).
- Cost: R25,000–R45,000 yearly.
- Global Bonus: Tech jobs thrive in travel hubs like Europe or Southeast Asia.
IT’s portability makes it a nomad’s dream degree.
3. International Relations (BA) – Milpark Education Online
- Why It’s Flexible: Milpark’s BA in International Relations is fully online, with no fixed class times—just assignments and exams you can schedule globally.
- Travel Perks: Study geopolitics while visiting the places you’re learning about—think UN offices in Geneva or markets in Marrakech.
- Skills: Diplomacy, cultural analysis—perfect for NGO work or travel consulting (R300,000–R550,000/year).
- Cost: R20,000–R40,000 annually.
- South African Edge: Understand Africa’s role in global affairs from the source.
International Relations turns travel into a classroom.
4. Education (BEd Honours) – Stellenbosch Online
- Why It’s Flexible: Stellenbosch’s BEd Honours in Leadership and Management is Africa’s first fully online honours program, with six start dates yearly and no campus requirements.
- Travel Perks: Teach English abroad (e.g., South Korea, R400,000–R600,000/year) while earning your degree remotely.
- Skills: Leadership, pedagogy—ideal for tutoring or e-learning startups.
- Cost: R50,000–R70,000 total.
- Global Bonus: Education credentials travel well—teach anywhere.
Education’s versatility lets you learn and earn on the road.
5. Creative Writing (BA) – Rhodes University Distance
- Why It’s Flexible: Rhodes offers a hybrid BA in Creative Writing with online coursework and optional summer residencies—skip them and submit remotely.
- Travel Perks: Write novels or travel blogs from anywhere—a laptop is your only campus.
- Skills: Storytelling, editing—freelance potential is huge (R200,000–R500,000/year).
- Cost: R40,000–R60,000 yearly.
- South African Edge: Tap into SA’s rich literary scene while roaming.
Creative Writing fuels your passion and your passport.
6. Environmental Science (BSc) – UNISA ODeL
- Why It’s Flexible: UNISA’s BSc in Environmental Science is online, with fieldwork you can align with travel (e.g., conservation projects in Kruger or Costa Rica).
- Travel Perks: Study ecosystems while volunteering globally—credits count.
- Skills: Sustainability, research—jobs in eco-tourism or NGOs (R300,000–R600,000/year).
- Cost: R15,000–R40,000 annually.
- Global Bonus: Climate focus is universal—work anywhere green matters.
Environmental Science blends study with eco-adventures.
7. Graphic Design (Diploma) – Vega Online
- Why It’s Flexible: Vega’s Diploma in Graphic Design is fully online, with project-based learning you can do from any Wi-Fi spot.
- Travel Perks: Design logos or ads while sipping coffee in Paris—clients don’t care where you are.
- Skills: Adobe suite mastery—freelance goldmine (R250,000–R500,000/year).
- Cost: R30,000–R50,000 yearly.
- South African Edge: SA’s creative industry is a launchpad.
Graphic Design’s portability keeps you creating on the move.
How to Make It Work While Traveling
- Tech Setup: Laptop, portable Wi-Fi (e.g., MTN’s R500/month plans), and cloud storage (Google Drive).
- Time Zones: Align deadlines with your location—UNISA’s flexibility shines here.
- Funding: NSFAS covers distance learning (apply early); freelance gigs offset costs.
- Visas: South African student visas allow 20 hours/week part-time work abroad during vacations (Home Affairs, 2025).
- Routine: Study 2–3 hours daily—mornings in hostels, evenings in cafés.
Logistics matter—plan smart to roam free.
Why South Africa as a Base?
- Affordable Education: Tuition is 50–70% cheaper than the US or UK (Educations.com, 2025).
- Digital Growth: 5G rollout hits 80% coverage (ICASA, 2024)—reliable internet anywhere.
- Travel Hub: Flights to 50+ countries from Joburg or Cape Town (SAA, 2025).
- Culture Bonus: Study SA’s 11 languages and diverse landscapes while you’re at it.
South Africa’s edge makes it a nomad’s launchpad.
Pros and Cons of Flexible Degrees for Travel
- Pros:
- Study from anywhere—Paris today, Patagonia tomorrow.
- Save R50,000–R150,000 vs. campus-based degrees.
- Build a global network while learning.
- Cons:
- Self-discipline required—no profs chasing you.
- Limited hands-on practice in some fields.
- Wi-Fi woes in remote spots—plan ahead.
Weigh the trade-offs—freedom comes with responsibility.
Conclusion: Study, Travel, Thrive
The most flexible degrees for students who want to travel—Business Administration (UNISA), IT (Mancosa), International Relations (Milpark), Education (Stellenbosch), Creative Writing (Rhodes), Environmental Science (UNISA), and Graphic Design (Vega)—unlock a world of learning without chains.
