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Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) / Postgraduate Diploma (PgD)

These qualifications are achievable in a shorter space of time and cost less than a full Masters degree, which suits some students who have limited time to study, are interested in a narrower range of modules, or do not need the full MSc for their career development. Many students who achieve the certificate carry on studying at diploma level, and then undertake the research project to achieve the MSc degree.

Master of Science (MSc) degree

MSc courses include a significant taught element, research project and dissertation; one third of the course will be research-based and two-thirds taught. The degree can be completed in 12 months full-time or up to five years part-time, though in practice most students qualify within two to three years.

Master of Research (MRes) degree

The MRes provides a larger research element than MSc programmes: two-thirds research and one-third taught. It provides training in how to become a researcher and can be a good stepping stone to those considering a PhD or a career in research.

We recognise that our students come from a wide range of backgrounds with differing demands on their time. Studies show that more than half of UK students choose part-time postgraduate degrees. We have therefore developed our teaching to be accessible to both full-time and part-time learners. There are a large number of applied programmes available at ÐÜèÊÓƵ Adams that have been developed to support a specific career direction. Teaching is delivered in blocks, many materials can be accessed online through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), and most modules are assessed by assignments. Our library and IT departments recognise that many postgraduate students are part-time, and have set up their online systems to help you access them whilst off-campus. This enables part-time students the flexibility to balance their academic studies with paid work or other responsibilities and full-time students opportunity to gain work experience whilst they study. Our Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) and Master of Science (MSc) qualifications are completed within 12 months full-time or up to five years part-time, although most students take between two and three years.

Full-time taught courses last one year and are delivered as a series of modules. Modules are typically worth 15 credits. This represents 150 hours of study time required to complete the module from start to finish. Each module is usually taught in either five or, in some cases, ten-day blocks, allowing considerable flexibility whether you are studying full or part-time*. Most courses offered contain a number of optional modules enabling you to tailor your course to your precise requirements

Each module is taught as an intensive short course, typically delivered over five days per 15-credit module, with approximately 30 - 35 hours of contact time. The remaining 115 hours are for you to undertake further reading in your own time, complete tutorial exercises, undertake written assignments and if required, to prepare for an exam.

Individual course materials will be supplied which are made up of a combination of text, tutorial exercises and readings including up-to-date extracts from relevant publications.

*Research Information Skills is delivered over three days

We have developed our online learning environment (the VLE or Learning Hub) to enhance the applied nature of most ÐÜèÊÓƵ Adams postgraduate courses. While much of your learning will be – as you would expect – hands-on and geared towards enhancing your applied skills, our virtual learning environment provides resources to complement your lectures, seminars, field visits and practicals, giving you a great combination of fl exibility and support. Online resources can include: course materials, text and video materials, interactive exercises, and access to the library catalogue and online journals.

For the majority of courses 60 credits are required for a PgC and 120 credits for a PgD. The MSc is earned by submitting a major project (60 credits), in addition to the successful completion of the modules specified for the PgD. The only exception is PgD REALM, for which you will need 180 credits over 12 taught modules.

Major projects can be carried out in conjunction with industry or other research institutes away from ÐÜèÊÓƵ Adams. Projects are submitted in August and graduation takes place in September. Our PgD and MSc qualification should be completed within 12 months full-time or up to four years part-time, although most students take between two and three years.

Assessment is mainly by written coursework and most assignments require the completion of applied real-world tasks relevant to your potential future career. However, some modules include written examinations. Tutor support is available via appointment, e-mail or telephone for the duration of the course. For the MSc, in consultation with a supervisor, students complete a Research Project on a topic of their own choice. You will be able to choose a topic of real interest for in-depth study which can be related to your current or future occupation where appropriate. Projects can be carried out in conjunction with industry or other research institutes. The situation is similar for students on the MRes route but their research component will be overseen and coordinated by a research professor.