“Part-time students account for 38.7 per cent of all higher education students in the United Kingdom.”
Universities UK, 2007
“Universities have been recruiting record numbers of part-time students… Undergraduate numbers have increased by 28%, while there has been even stronger growth of 45% at postgraduate level.” The Guardian, 16 September 2008
- Part-time tuition fees
- Registering for part-time and distance learning programmes
Part-time and distance learning opportunities
For students whose geographical location, employment, family commitments or busy lifestyle does not allow them to attend regular on-campus classes, part-time or distance e-learning options might be an ideal solution.
From archaeology to mechanical engineering and nursing to theology, many of our postgraduate taught and research programmes are offered on a part-time basis and we currently offer web-based postgraduate studies in a number of options, including
- Brewing Sciences
- Education
- English Language Education
- English Studies
- Ergonomics
- Healthcare Communication
- Occupational Health Psychology
- Tourism and Travel Management
Why choose e-learning?
You can learn anywhere, anytime – providing you have access to a computer and the internet.
You can study from home without having to travel to the University on a regular basis. This makes fitting learning around existing commitments so much easier – and 24/7 access to relevant, up-to-date information and materials allows you to study at a pace that suits you.
E-learning is suitable for a wide range of learning styles. Teaching is conducted through a mixture of audio-visual, written and interactive materials. There are also opportunities for online discussion and collaborative projects with tutors and other students.
Some programmes include intensive, residential modules that are taught on campus, giving you the chance to meet and work alongside your tutors and fellow students face-to-face.
Our e-learning facilities
A significant investment in e-learning opportunities and IT infrastructure by the University means that flexible research and study is provided through a Virtual Learning Environment, giving you 24/7 access to the highest quality study materials.
Rich, interactive online learning materials are provided using a variety of specialised production tools by a team of both technical and pedagogical experts to ensure the best online learning experience is delivered to your PC anytime, anywhere. We strive to develop new approaches to learning in response to your needs.
An overview of the University’s e-learning facilities is available at the Information Services website.
u-Now
u-Now, the University’s formal open courseware initiative, is part of the OpenCourseWare Consortium (OCW) – a global collaboration of more than 200 higher education institutions and organisations committed to sharing high quality educational materials, free of charge to everyone whether they are formally enrolled on a course of study or not.
Resources are drawn from a range of disciplines spanning ecology, English studies, health care and medicine, history, modern languages, mathematics, nanotechnology, and politics and international relations, and include:
- podcasts
- lecture notes
- reading materials
- images
- interactive activities
- complete modules made up of a range of materials
WebCT
WebCT, or the Blackboard Learning System, is a virtual learning environment (VLE) which allows students to:
- view course material and reading lists
- complete quizzes
- submit assignments
- check their grades and monitor their progress
- access the course calendar
- contact the course tutor and other students
- join online discussions
The Portal
Students and staff at the University have their own integrated personalised web environment which gives them password protected access – from any computer worldwide – to:
- their University email account
- course information
- University news updates
- Library services
- Support services
WebCT can also be accessed via the Portal.
The University’s e-learning community
Community@Nottingham allows staff and students to learn more about the projects and work of colleagues across the University.
Enhancing teaching and learning through technology, e-learning @ Nottingham (el@n)
el@n offers practical advice and support to academic staff, providing them with e-learning tools and e-learning support materials as well as advice and examples from colleagues across the University. It may also be used by postgraduate research students who teach or those investigating this evolving field.
Promoting Enhanced Student Learning (PESL)
PESL offers academic staff the opportunity to study good practice from across disciplines and to explore a range of issues relating to teaching, including:
- various roles for web-based learning resources
- ways to support dyslexic students
- encouraging and supporting student participation
It is also a useful resource for postgraduate research students who teach or those investigating e-learning as part of their studies.
Current e-learning programmes
The University currently offers a range of courses across a number of disciplines.
Delivery:
- Brewing Science
- Distance learning (75%) with intensive residential units
Our wide range of short courses is also delivered on a distance learning basis.
Delivery:
- Nottingham University Business School
- Wholly online
Delivery:
- Centre for English Language Education
- An initial two-week, full-time module delivered over the summer with the remaining three modules taught by distance learning during the rest of the academic year
Delivery:
- School of Education
- Up to three years, part-time. It is largely web-based with some tutorials and seminars. There are three entry points during the year – September, January and April. Students with prior experience of working in schools or who have relevant study may be exempted from certain aspects of the course. Two school-based placements must be undertaken in our partnership schools
Delivery:
- The schools of English, Sociology and Social Policy and Nursing
- 2–4 years part-time, entry point any time during the year. Taught and research components with the option of voluntary day schools
Delivery:
- The School of English Studies
- Online with one-to-one tuition. As well as completing the courses at a pace that suits them, students have the flexibility to study towards a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, an MA or on a pay-per-module basis. Programmes are recognised by the ESRC and offer an excellent route into further studies at doctoral level
Tuition fees vary and for part-time students are calculated on either a pro-rata or credit equivalence basis.
For information about specific part-time course fees, please contact the Students Fees Help Desk:
All students must register with the University when they first begin their studies and again at the beginning of each academic session.
New and returning part-time students complete their registration online through the Portal and are not required to confirm their attendance in person.
Non-standard start students – those joining courses that do not coincide with the beginning of the academic year – may register up to three weeks before the course commences and must be registered within two weeks of the start date.
