Distance Learning Prospectus 2009.pdf - London School of Theology

FAQsWould you like todevelop your personalknowledge of the Bible,theology and spirituality?Are you looking for arecognized qualification,but can’t study on siteat LST? Then DistanceLearning is for you. Youcan choose the type oflearning and qualificationthat suits your short- orlong-term needs.LST 4When can I start?Choose your own start date. We donot operate on an academic yearprogramme, so you can start your studywhenever suits you.How much time will I have to study?Choose your own work rate. Study a fewhours every week, or study whenever theopportunity arises. Choose to buy oneyear or three years of tutor contact time,depending on your anticipated work rate.Can I choose which modules to study?Yes. If you’re studying for your owndevelopment and interest, you canstudy whatever modules you wish. Evenon accredited courses with a numberof compulsory modules, there is stillsignificant flexibility to choose themodules that interest you.What are credits?All our modules are valued in numericalterms called ‘credits’. Each creditrepresents 10 hours of study time. So a20 credit module requires 200 hours ofstudy; a 10 credit module requires 100hours. This time includes study of themodule workbook, reading textbooks andpreparing work for assessment.What kind of qualification will I get?That’s up to you. We offer a full degreeprogramme, with exit qualificationsat Certificate and Diploma level, allvalidated by Middlesex University. Wealso offer internal LST awards.But what if I don’t want anotherqualification?You can also choose not to studytowards a qualification at all.Do I have to come to LST?Choose to come to LST to take part inoccasional study weekends or Saturdayclasses as an extra element of yourstudy. Meeting other students can bea rewarding experience, whilst learningwith our faculty and invited speakersprovides renewed impetus to continuewith the home study. But you can alsochoose never to come to Northwoodat all! The entire programme can becompleted from anywhere in the worldwithout you ever needing to visit us.What if I decide that I want to comeand study at LST?You can start with Distance Learning andthen switch into full- or part-time study (orvice versa). The study you have completedto that point can be taken into account.How will I be assessed?All assessment is done through essays andprojects – there are no exams.What is the study material like?Study material comes to you in speciallywritten books, textbooks and videos. Anever increasing number of modules areavailable as computer files rather thanworkbooks. Instead of the paper book, (or inaddition to, if you want) we can send youthe study material on a CD-ROM, or emailyou the files. There is a discount for this.How much extra reading will I have to do?If you are studying for a validatedqualification, you will have set texts toread. Otherwise, it is up to you, althoughyou will be expected to do backgroundreading in addition to the study materialwe provide. The study material takes theplace of face-to-face lectures, but doesnot replace textbooks. We will provideyou with extensive reading lists fromwhich you can pick suitable items to read.In addition, our Bookshop offers a rangeof relevant books that you can buy at adiscount if you buy three or more titles.Please contact us, or consult our website,for more details and current costs.Can I use the LST library?As a distance learning student you areentitled to come and use the library during office hours, though we cannot offer borrowing rights.Will I get any support or help?For each module of study you will beassigned a tutor to help you with yourstudy. (In some countries, this personwould be better described as a mentor oreven a professor.) They are all specialists inthe academic subject, and experienced inhelping people with the distinctive nuancesof Distance Learning. They can help clarifythings if anything in the study materials isunclear, and help you with any faith-basedchallenges you may encounter. They alsograde your written assessments.