Online distance learning
Online course delivery
The distance-learning courses are delivered online through a virtual learning environment (VLE) system called Blackboard.
The VLE allows you to electronically:
- receive all your learning material, including coursework and assignments
- complete activities designed to aid your learning of the material
- complete all your assignments and submit to your e-tutor
- interact with your e-tutor and other students either individually or as a group
Benefits of studying online distance-learning
- Learn while you are working full-time
- You can be located anywhere in the world
- Balance learning around family and other commitments
- Access to learning materials 24/7
- Complete your MSc part-time in four – five years
Course structure
MSc course (180 credits) - six units of taught material and a dissertation
PG Diploma (120 credits) - six units of taught material and a project
PG Certificate (60 credits) - four units of taught material
Individual unit (15 credits) – ideal for topping-up or learning new skills
Unit structure
Each online distance-learning unit contains 12 study weeks over a 14-week period. Each study week normally comprises five study sessions, corresponding to five working days.
- Each week = approximately 12.5 hours study effort
- Each unit = approximately 150 hours study effort
Study sessions
The sessions for each study week are released on a week-by-week basis, this helps to keep everyone working at roughly the same speed and enables the group to make full use of the interactive elements such as chat and discussions.
The sessions comprise HTML pages containing relevant reading material and accompanying activities to help you with your understanding. Activities can include structured tutor-led group discussions, chat sessions, CD-Rom-based activities, role plays, instant feedback quizzes and home experiments.
In addition to the assessed coursework and exams, you can complete non-assessed online tests and coursework to help you monitor your own progress.
Additional resources and student support
In addition to the standard unit content, there are further resources available to support your studies:
- a unit e-tutor to keep track of your progress and help you with any problems during the study sessions
- a pastoral tutor who can assist and advise you in personal problems
- a bank of web links to useful related websites including the university library’s online journals and periodicals
- a programme handbook and Blackboard-based interaction tools including a discussion board, chat tool and an email tool
- help files and troubleshooting documents to aid technical support
Standard rate of completion
The standard rate of completion is that of a student progressing through the complete course online taking only the designated study breaks. If you were to progress through the complete MSc course at the standard rate, your timetable would be as follows:
- Year 1 – Units 1 and 2
- Year 2 – Units 3 and 4
- Year 3 – Units 5 and 6
- Year 4 – Research dissertation (normally 10-months)
In the event that you have family, work or other commitments which mean you are unable to study, you have the flexible option of taking a study break. Please note that you must complete the full MSc course within five years.