Frequently Asked Questions
I've never studied by distance learning before. How will you help me to adjust? - Do I have to work within a schedule?
- Do I have to attend classroom sessions ?
- Are there seminars and tutorials that I can participate in?
- How can I keep in touch with other students on my course?
- How long is the duration of the course?
- What is the minimum entry requirement?
- Can I get exemptions from the course I registered for?
- When should payment be made?
- Do I need a PC and can I get technical support?
- How do I access libraries for research and reference materials?
- How is my learning assessed?
- If I fail an assignment or examination, can I take a re-sit?
- Who will my tutors be?
- How do I contact you?
Q1. I've never studied by distance learning before. How will you help me adjust?
A 1. Once fully enrolled and shortly before your module commences, you'll join in our on-line Induction Programme. This will allow you to get familiar with how the course works, what it's like to communicate electronically and how you exchange documents with your tutor and each other. It will also give you an idea of how much time you'll need to put aside for your studies.
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Q2. Do I have to work within a schedule?
A2. Yes. Each module has a start date and a finish date. Modules run for 12 weeks of study (this excludes any University holiday periods). Dates for the submission of assignments are also specified. The study time is adequate for carrying out the work of the module, but also ensures that you work consistently through the module material and develop a sense of progress with your studies.
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Q3. Do I have to attend classroom sessions?
A3. No. The course materials will be delivered to you in print form. You do not have to spend time travelling to lectures. All tutor support is available to you via our electronic communications package, the 'Electronic Campus'.
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Q4. Are there seminars and tutorials that I can participate in?
A4. Yes. There is a programme of regular on-line seminars and tutorials in each module. You will be expected to participate in these. These are in delayed time mode (asynchronous forum discussions) where participants respond to the discussion question and to each other at any time within the period of the discussion. Some modules will have assessed discussions; these will be indicated in the class timetable.
There will occasionally be some in real time (synchronous discussions) where participants are on-line together – these are not compulsory.
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Q5. How can I keep in touch with the other students on my course?
A5. The seminars and tutorials keep you in touch in a formal sense. But informally you can e-mail any of your colleagues at any time and also arrange to 'meet' on-line for a virtual chat whenever it suits you. You can keep in touch by telephone as well. On occasion you will be invited to a social event for all students and staff such as an on-line 'cheese and wine' party.
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Q6. How long is the duration of the course?
A 6. This depends on your course of study and previous academic achievements. When we receive evidence of your previous study, we will advise how many modules you have to undertake to complete your degree course and the expected duration.
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Q7. What is the minimum entry requirement?
A7. For the BSc in Health Studies your minimum entry requirement is first-level nurse registration.
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Q8. Can I get exemptions from the course I register for?
A8. Yes. The extent of that exemption depends on the course of study and your previous academic achievements. The Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) allows your previous study to count towards your degree studies.
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Q9. When should payment be made?
A9. When accepted for study, you will be sent enrolment documents, these must be returned with full module fee for 1st module. Arrangements can be made to make monthly payments for subsequent modules via the online
payment facility or in the UK by standing order/direct debit with your bank.
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10. Do I need a PC and can I get technical support?
A 10. You will need a computer to undertake this course, as it is studied on-line. If you already have a computer, the minimum specification is a PC with Windows 2000 or above and Netscape 4.7/Explorer 5.5. Click here to view the recommended minimum
PC technical specification.
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Q11. How do I access libraries for research and reference materials?
A 11. You have direct access, through the Internet, to a wide variety of search engines, catalogues, libraries and reference and research materials worldwide. Specific resources will be recommended in the Recommended Reading that accompanies your module material. You will also be given access to full-text versions of current journal articles from databases such as Medline and CINAHL.
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Q12. How is my learning assessed?
A12. Your learning is mostly assessed by continuous assessment. Typically a module will require you to submit one piece of coursework. This will take the form of an assignment of 3500 words. Assignments are designed to help you to apply theory to practice. Many of them are specifically designed to relate to your professional practice and so are of professional relevance to you as well as of academic value. In some modules, credit will be awarded for quality online participation.
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Q13. If I fail an assignment, can I take a re-sit?
A13. Yes, you have the opportunity to resit assessments that you have failed. Normally you can only retake an assignment once. If you fail a second time, your case will be referred to the University who will decide if you can re-sit again depending on your circumstances.
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Q14. Who will my tutors be?
A14. Your tutors will be members of staff of the University who have relevant professional and teaching experience.
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Q15. How do I contact you?