Teaching delivery

Taught modules are completed in Autumn and Spring semesters of each academic year. Students on our MSc programme will also complete a dissertation project in the summer of their final year of registration. Modules completed in the Autumn semester provide you with essential underpinning science and theory as a foundation to the discipline, whereas modules completed in the Spring semester focus on more design-based aspects, and practical applications, typically using real-world case studies to reinforce knowledge and illustrate concepts learnt in the first semester. This sequenced programme of study ensures you build knowledge and skills training incrementally, which maximises your personal development.

Our taught modules are delivered in three formats, across the two semesters. The first two modules in the Autumn semester are taught in parallel over 6 weeks. Eight modules are then taught in 3-week blocks, one after the other across the two semesters. In each of these eight modules, there are 4-5 days of lectures, practical classes, tutorials and exams. The remaining 2 weeks in these modules is for self-study and distance learning delivered via the web. One module in each semester is also studied in parallel with the block-taught modules, over the duration of the semester. In total, you can expect to receive 20-25 hours of contact time with the module leader, for each 10 credit module. Here, teaching is carefully coordinated to maximise your time for self-study and minimise time away from the office for part time students. The modular format is popular with both full time and part time students attending this course. It enables employed students wishing to undertake part time study to design a study programme around their work schedule. See the comments from our graduates on the value of this course.

We deliver our modules using a unique web-based teaching platform. This allows you remote access to module content and online interaction with instructors and classmates. It gives you complete freedom to download lecture notes, coursework material, complete assessments, submit coursework and participate in live discussions with the module leader and your classmates, from anywhere in the world ! For part time students, this offers unique flexibility to manage your study programme and access to the course, without needing to leave home or the office.