School of Psychology
University Home Page Psychology Home Page Psychology Admissions Teaching in Psychology Research in Psychology People in Psychology Events in Psychology
 
Distance Learning: Postgraduate Programme
 

Adults with learning disabilities who have significant and complex needs.

A Postgraduate / Post Qualification distance-learning course, to be studied part-time by people working in supervisory or professional positions in services for adults with learning disabilities.

For further information on the course please contact Dr. Martin Campbell.

spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link Course brochure (pdf)
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link Application form

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link Postgraduate courses and their relationships
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link What is the programme?
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link What qualificiations are required for entry?
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link What level is the certificate qualification?
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link What is studied in the programme?

spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link How long will it take to complete the programme?
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link Is it possible to take individual modules?

spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link What assessment methods will be used?
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link What materials will be supplied, and what facilities will I need?
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link What Internet access will I have to resources?
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link When do the courses start?

spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link How much will it cost?
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link Summary comparison table.
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link Student comments about the course. (pdf)

 

Levels of Postgraduate courses and their relationships

Each part of the postgraduate programme (Certificate, Diploma, Masters) is to be completed within one year, i.e. the Masters programme will take three years in total to complete, including completion of the Certificate and Diploma.

Entry Qualifications

  • Normally a first degree or
  • an appropriate professional qualification (e.g. Social Work, Teaching, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy) or
  • substantial relevant work experience in a cognate discipline, together with at least three years' practical experience in the field, including staff supervisory or management experience.

PG Certificate (one year)

  • Students choose from 4 to 6 modules

PG Diploma (one year)

  • Completion of six modules that draw on the content of the Postgraduate Certificate Course.

PG Masters (one year)

  • Student Dissertation (15000 words) on a practice related topic of choice, integrating one area of specialised study from Certifcate level study with research methodology from Diploma level study.

 

What is the programme?

Internet based distance learning courses, at Certificate, Diploma and Masters level for people working in supervisory or professional positions in the care of adults with learning disabilities. The open learning format is written in an interactive style and materials are designed to encourage students to use their own workplace experiences as a basis for new learning and development of research skills. The programme is intended to be studied as a part time qualification, by staff providing services to people with learning disabilities.

 

What qualificiations are required for entry?

For the Postgraduate Certificate, normally a degree, professional qualification or equivalent, or substantial relevant work experience in a cognate discipline, together with at least three years’ practical experience in the field.

For the Postgraduate Diploma, successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate at University of St Andrews or a Postgraduate Certificate qualification in the area of learning disabilities from a recognised UK Higher Education Institution, acceptable to the University of St Andrews.

For the postgraduate Masters, successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma at University of St Andrews or a Postgraduate Diploma qualification in the area of learning disabilities from a recognised UK Higher Education Institution, acceptable to the University of St Andrews.

 

What level is the certificate qualification?

You will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or Masters, depending on the level of study. These qualifications will be at Credit and Qualifications Framework level 11. For the Masters, you will need to attain 180 postgraduate credits, of which a minimum of 150 are at SCQF 11.

 

What is studied in the programme?

At Postgraduate Certificate level there is a choice of four modules from six as follows; each module is rated at 15 postgraduate credits.

spacer image Last updated 2009-01-30

spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link Challenging Behaviour (pdf)
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link Mental Health (pdf)
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link Offenders with Learning Disabilities and Forensic Issues (pdf)
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link Vulnerability, Victimisation and Abuse (pdf)
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link Older People with Learning Disabilities (pdf)
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link Profound and Multiple Disabilities (pdf)

At Postgraduate Diploma level there are six compulsory modules, as follows; each module is rated at 10 postgraduate credits.

spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link Intellectual Disability Research
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link Data Collection and Sampling
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link Qualitative Data Analysis: Flexible Designs
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link Quantitative Data Analysis: Fixed Designs
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link Essential Elements of Your Assignment
spacer imagearrow_ indicating_link Illustrative Studies in Intellectual Disability Research

At postgraduate Masters level assessment is by student dissertation – 15,000 words. (60 postgraduate credits).

 

How long will it take to complete the programme?

Each part of the postgraduate programme (Certificate, Diploma, Masters) is to be completed within one year, i.e. the Masters programme will take three years in total to complete, including completion of the Certificate and Diploma.

The rate of progress through individual modules will depend on each student’s aptitude, and the amount of time available for study. As a rough guide, we estimate that each module in the postgraduate Certificate course will need around 150 hours of study time, including completion of assessments, while each module in the Diploma course will need 100 hours of study time.

 

Is it possible to take individual modules?

It is possible to take individual modules, lasting 3 months, on the Postgraduate Certificate course only. Priority for places on the course will be given to people aiming to complete the whole Certificate programme, but it is possible to enrol for individual modules as stand-alone courses, or as a way of finding out whether the content and format of this distance learning programme is suitable for your purposes.

It is not possible to take individual modules on the Postgraduate Diploma course.

 

What assessment methods will be used?

For the Postgraduate Certificate all assessments are completed online, through the University of St Andrews WebCT. Assessments for each module takes a number of forms - multiple choice questions, short answer assignments, reference searches etc.. Assessments are related to the main module materials, also delivered online, and additional reference materials to which students will be given access.

For the Postgraduate Diploma there will be continuous assessment for modules 1-5 and this will be done online. There will be no final exam on this programme. You will be asked to submit a longer piece of work (5000 words) on completion of Module 6.. These assessments will be related to a work-based study of an individual or the service setting.

The Masters requires a dissertation (15000 words) on a practice related topic of choice, integrating one area of specialised study from Certificate level study with research methodology from Diploma level study.

 

What materials will be supplied, and what facilities will I need?

You will be given password protected access to the main course materials, which are available online, through the University of St Andrews WebCT system. Access to electronic databases of references will also be supplied, and full library access to the University of St Andrews and other UK University Libraries will be available.

You will need regular access to a computer with an Internet connection, and you will need an email address.

 

What Internet access will I have to resources?

You will be supplied with a personalised password and given Internet access to the electronic resources via the library at University of St Andrews. These resources include electronic databases of published research journals, books, e-journals, exam papers and newspapers, national and international Library catalogues, search engines and subject resources.

 

When do the courses start?

There are two intakes per year; one in March and another in October. Applications by the end of January and August respectively. Please note that all applications will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis, and early application is recommended.

 

How much will it cost?

The cost for the whole Postgraduate Certificate programme, starting in March or October each year is £1920. Alternatively, each module may be paid for individually, i.e. £480 per module.

 

Summary comparison table

  Certificate Diploma Masters
Prerequisites. A degree or 3 years professional experience. Postgraduate Certificate. Postgraduate Diploma
Qualification level. 60 credits at SCQF 11 120 credits at SCQF 11 180 credits of which a minimum of 150 are at SCQF 11
What is studied? 4 from 6 modules 6 modules Assessment is by student dissertation, 15000 words. (60 PG credits).
Completion time. 150 hours, each module completed within 3 months, programme completed in 1 year. 100 hours, each module completed in 2 months, programme completed in 1 year. 3 years in total including the completion of the Certificate and Diploma.
Individual modules? Yes. Single modules are possible but priority is given to those wishing to take the full Certificate. No. Not applicable.
Assessment methods. Multiple choice questions, assignments, reference searches etc. Continuous assessment for modules 1-5 and longer piece of work for module 6. Student dissertation, 15000 words on a practice related topic of choice.
Cost. £1920 or £480 per module. £1920 £1920
 

University Home | Psychology Home | Admissions | Teaching | Research | People | Events

Contact | A to Z

File last modified Monday, November 15, 2010