Everything You Need To Know

Over the years we’ve discovered that there are some things every student wants to know. If you can’t find the answer you need here or elsewhere on our website, just contact us and we’ll be happy to help. Your questions will help us to improve the information we provide on your website to help potential students like you.

Will an online course suit me?

From talking to online students, graduates and our online tutors, here’s what we think you need to succeed as an online student:

  • Self discipline and motivation
  • Good organisational skills so you can plan study timetables and get into a routine
  • A place where you can concentrate and focus on your studies is essential, whether it’s a spare room at home, your office at work, a coffee shop or the train
  • Confidence in using a computer and the internet
  • Experience of online forums and chat rooms is also beneficial
When can I access my course materials and reading lists?

As soon as you have enrolled and paid for your course, we will send you a username and password to access your online learning resources.

And your Online Tutor will upload learning materials at the start of each term.

What equipment will I need?

You will need to have a PC or Mac with an internet connection. At the very least you will need one of the following browsers:

  • Internet Explorer 7 or more recent versions
  • Firefox 3 or more recent versions
  • Safari 3 or more recent versions

Other software required:

  • PDF reader files (eg Adobe Acrobat Reader)
  • Microsoft Word (at least Word 2003)
  • Microsoft Excel (at least Excel 2003)
  • Microsoft PowerPoint (at least PowerPoint 2003)

Some courses require additional software which you can download from the internet.  And our Bsc (Hons) Psychology requires a specialist statistical package (SPSS for Windows) which you can buy from the University when you enrol on the statistics modules.

How long do I have to complete my coursework?

All courses have a structured timetable, based on trimesters, with assessment deadlines at the end of each trimester.  These typically run as follows:

Trimester 1: September – December

Trimester 2: January – March

Trimester 3: May – July

You will need to submit your course work (or sit exams where relevant) at the end of each trimester. You will be given details about your assignment and deadlines by your online tutor.

How much time will I need to allocate to my studies?

You’ll find detailed information on individual course pages but, as a guide, you will need to allocate approximately 200 hours per standard module (20 credits) for learning, which equates to around 17-20 hours per week.  This will be a combination of tutor discussions, reading, research, online activities and critical thinking and reflection.

Can I start the course whenever I want?

Depending on which course you are studying, you can start at any of our three intakes in September, January and May.  So you’ll have more options than traditional ‘on-campus’ courses, but you can’t start your course at any other times.  Our trimester based learning ensures that tutors are available throughout your course and that there will be other students on your modules at the same time to share and enhance your student experience.

Is it easier to complete a degree through online learning rather than as a full time student on campus?

In some respects, it can be more difficult: you will need to be self-motivated, organised and dedicated to completing your studies.  However, you will have the flexibility to study at times which suit you and you won’t need to travel to campus or attend lectures at fixed times which might make it easier to fit studying for a degree with your busy work and family life.

Will my certificate state that I studied online?

No. Like any other certificate issued by University of Derby, your award certificate will simply state the name of the course that you studied – e.g. BA (Hons) Business Studies.  There is no reference to the mode of study on your certificate, it is only referred to on the transcript.

Is an online degree of the same quality as a full time degree?

Yes, our online courses are of the same rigorous quality as our on-campus courses. Many of our courses are also accredited by professional bodies, including the British Psychological Society, Chartered Management Institute, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and the Institute of Hospitality.

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Conrad Aquilina

It is a well laid out course with interesting subjects that are needed to obtain the most interesting jobs around.

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