Part-time study

Gaining a degree through part-time study is a popular option at Oxford Brookes University, and for good reason. The flexible structure of our degree programme allows students to adapt their pace of study to changing personal circumstances. Around a third of our students currently study part-time.

You may wish to join them for a variety of reasons:

• to remain in employment while you study

• to spread out the costs over a longer period

• to fit studies around family commitments

• to ease your way back into learning if you have been out of full-time education for a while.

All courses on the Undergraduate Modular Programme are designed around a modular system. Subjects are divided into similar sized units called modules, most of which are spread over a semester. Most courses operate a two-semester year but some courses, particularly in health care operate a three-semester year. Students build up their degree programmes by studying the required number of modules. This flexible structure allows you to select from many of the subjects offered on the Modular Programme.

There are no separate courses for part-time students and you have the same choice as full-time students. The only difference is that you study at a slower rate, taking one to three modules each semester, up to a maximum of five in a year.

Most part-time students gain their honours degree in five to six years. Courses that involve a work placement or supervised work experience – including languages, hotel and restaurant management, computing, biotechnology and automotive engineering – will require a longer period of study.

For these subjects, plus occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing and some technology courses, you must check whether you are able to meet compulsory requirements such as work placements. Call the contact number that appears with the relevant subject in the Undergraduate Prospectus.

You must pass three modules each year to continue onto the next and you are normally allowed a maximum of eight years to complete an honours course, except in nursing, midwifery, occupational therapy and physiotherapy which have a limit of seven years.

For information about the courses and the modular programme see the prospectus.

How much time will it take?

Most part-timers attend the university two half-days a week, but for some courses this requirement can rise to three or four half days. Each module requires an average of 10 hours of study a week, although teaching time can vary considerably – from three hours for an arts module, to six hours a week for a science subject, where several hours might be spent in the laboratory.

Modules are allocated a teaching slot or slots in a given semester. Occasionally a module may run continuously over two semesters. The teaching slots are standard throughout each day as follows: 9.00-12.00 noon, 1.00-4.00pm and 5.00-8.00 pm. Most modules will be allocated just one slot but some may require two slots.

Part-time students, and students who are parents, are given priority when seminar teaching groups are allocated. They can ask the Academic Management Office to be timetabled into the most suitable available slots.

Students can manage much of their programme via their on-line Personal Information Portal (PIP) so it is possible to register modules, check your record, module and examination timetables and plan future study from home.

What qualifications do I need?

If you are under 21 you will need to meet the usual entry requirements based on GCSEs, AS and A-levels, AVCEs, GNVQ advanced (level 3) or BTEC National, and must meet the specific requirements of each course. See the Undergraduate Prospectus for detailed information. Mature students may have similar qualifications or may be accepted through a range of alternative routes into higher education – see the Guide for Mature Students.

How flexible is part-time study?

Few of the courses are confined to one particular day of the week, so it is not possible to set aside the same day for attendance over the whole period of a degree. However, for compulsory modules in Stage I many subjects are taught on the same day each semester. You should be able to plan your likely timetable a year ahead as the slotting for modules changes very little from year to year. Also, it is possible to change your timetable as late as the week before teaching starts if necessary, adding modules or deleting them from your timetable. If you run into difficulties and need to take a break, you can ask for ‘approved time out’ for up to two consecutive semesters at a time. However, this may result in a heavier workload in subsequent semesters and extending beyond the maximum allowance is not normally permitted.

You can also change from part-time to full time study, and the reverse, if your circumstances change (This change can only be requested after one year of study). However, this will have important financial implications that you must take into account. Changes are normally agreed only for each academic year and are not allowed on a semester by semester basis.

Do I get any kind of award if I don’t complete my degree?

Progress through a course is made by accumulating credits for each module passed. Depending on the profile of the modules passed, you may be entitled to the award of a Certificate of Higher Education on gaining eight basic module credits, or a Diploma of Higher Education on passing 16 module credits at basic and advanced level.

Can I study individual modules?

If you only want to take a small number of modules in total, are undecided about what course you want or do not expect to take at least 3 modules each year, you may be better suited to enrolling as an associate student rather than a part-time degree student. For associate study formal entry qualifications are not required, although we must be satisfied that you will be capable of studying at this level. This route allows you to sample a module and gives us a chance to assess your potential. Not all modules on the undergraduate programme are available to associates, but you can start at the beginning of either semester. You will need to obtain an M2 university application form from the Enquiry Centre, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, telephone +44 (0) 1865 484848, email query@brookes.ac.uk

The fee for part-time study in 2012/13 is £6,000 for the year and this allows you to take up to 5 modules in the academic year.

As a part-time student, you may be eligible for support with fees through Student Finance England. For information about funding for part time students please visit the Student Finance England website.

All students are assigned an academic adviser whose role is to offer academic and professional advice. Your tutor will advise you on your academic progress and programme of study, and will also be the first person to turn to in the case of course difficulties or illness. The university also offers a free advice service, Upgrade, which is available to anyone wishing to improve their study skills. Upgrade offers frequent sessions, both drop-in and pre-booked, to students on all sites throughout the academic year.

A wide range of support services, including accommodation, counselling, chaplaincy and help for disabled students, are available. There is also a Mature Student Adviser who can offer support and information.

The Students’ Union is another source of support to all students. It has its own Advice Centre offering confidential and expert help in a range of areas, legal and financial matters in particular.

How will I find my way around?

All students are invited to attend Freshers’ Week before the start of Semester 1 in the autumn. The induction programme includes a tour of the campus and library and sessions on how each subject area will be able to support you during your studies. Current degree students will be on hand to answer questions and offer advice. A range of optional seminars will be on offer covering subjects such as managing money, returning to study and dealing with stress. During the week Freshers’ Fair gives you the opportunity to sample any of the dozens of student-led societies – whatever your interest, there should be a society to suit you.

Is there help for students with children?

Students can use the university nursery, which caters for children between the ages of 4 months and 5 years. It is open 8.30am to 5.25pm daily, except at Christmas, Easter and bank holidays. A few places may be available for 8.00am start and until 6.00pm.

Part-time students are not eligible for Childcare Grant from the Local Authority, but should continue to claim Child Tax Credits.  If eligible they can also continue to claim the childcare element of Working Tax Credit.  Part-time students are eligible for Financial Aid email finaid@brookes.ac.uk or phone 01865 484726.  Further information and advice is available from the Students Union Advice Centre email suadvice@brookes.ac.uk or phone 01865 484770.

What do I need to know about computers and the web?

During enrolment week you will be given help in using the university’s computer system and learning about its wide range of computing facilities. You will have the opportunity to learn how to use your Personal Information Portal (PiP) as well as the internet as all students have free access to these services in addition to email. The Help Desk and Computer Services Reception are open during the day and evenings and provide free information and guidance on using the university’s computer network.

Part-time students have the same access to computing facilities as full-time students. Any student wishing to learn more about computing can take introductory modules as part of their programme of study.

All applications for part-time courses, whether starting in September (Semester 1) or January (Semester 2), must be made directly to the university. Application forms are available from the Enquiry Centre, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, telephone +44 (0) 1865 484848, email query@brookes.ac.uk. The form asks for general information and you will be invited to give a personal statement about your reasons for wishing to study. You will also be asked to provide two referees, one of whom should be an academic referee if possible. References from family members are not acceptable. Applications should be made by the end of Semester 1to start in January, and the end of July to start in September. If you have not studied for a while and wish to discuss the entry procedure you can contact the Admissions Office, telephone +44 (0) 1865 483040.

You will be assessed on your academic qualifications, personal statement and references. You may be called for interview or a tutor may contact you for further information or clarification. You should normally receive a decision within four weeks by letter from the Admissions Office, once all relevant documents have been received this includes the reference which is required for consideration. Arrangements for enrolling and planning your programme will be sent to you subsequently.

If you wish to visit the University you can join us on our Undergraduate Open Days. Alternatively, informal tours of the university can be booked through the Enquiry Centre throughout the year.

If you have been offered a full-time place and wish to convert to part-time before taking up your place contact the Admissions Office, telephone +44 (0) 1865 483040.