About the programme
- What will I learn on this programme?
- How is the programme taught?
- How will I be supported?
- How do I know if this programme is for me?
- What are the programme’s formal learning outcomes?
- How much does it cost?
- Are any scholarships available?
- When can I start?
- What qualification will I get?
- How long will it take?
- What time commitment do I need to make?
- What equipment will I need?
- What computer skills should I have?
- How accessible are the programme spaces?
- What are the entry requirements?
- How do I apply?
- When do I need to apply?
- How do I register and get started?
- What courses are delivered when?
What will I learn on this programme?
The MSc in E-learning is structured in a way which enables you to customise it according to your own interests and professional needs. It offers a combination of the hands-on skills development which is essential to practising education and training in the digital age, and the theoretical and conceptual issues which make the field so intriguing and exciting to study.
So, depending on which programme options you choose to pursue, you will have the opportunity to learn how to build courses and learning opportunities using a virtual learning environment, how to build a web sites and construct online assessments, how to formulate an institutional strategy for e-learning, and how to nurture online study skills in your learners. You will also get the chance to investigate a range of fascinating conceptual issues, for example how the digital environment changes the way we construct knowledge, the politics of e-learning and the digital divide, and the ways in which video-gaming might affect post-school education and training.
We recommend that you refer to the delivery table to see which courses will be available for study over the coming months and years.
How is the programme taught?
The programme is delivered entirely online, over the internet. It is designed in such a way that, with access to a computer with an internet connection, you will be able to study it at the times and in the places which suit you best.
We are committed to giving our learners the opportunity to experiment with a range of technologies, so while most courses are based in the virtual learning environment WebCT/Blackboard, you will also have the chance to use other technologies such as weblogs, wikis, virtual worlds, Twitter and synchronous text chat as part of your study. Access to the programme will be via the University of Edinburgh web portal, MyEd, and you will have full access to the digital collections of the University of Edinburgh library.
All courses are taught through a combination of independent study, reflection and online group working. The group work generally takes the form of discussion using weblogs, discussion boards and other social media which you can access and post to at any time, though we do also make some use of live chat spaces and virtual worlds in which discussion takes place in real time.
How will I be supported?
This is a distance learning course, but you won’t be alone – you will have the opportunity to work closely with your fellow students and tutors in a properly supported, collaborative and vibrant online learning environment. The foundation course for the programme – ‘An introduction to digital environments for learning’ – offers a high level of one-to-one support in order to help you gain familiarity and confidence with the online environment. All other courses are also fully supported by skilled tutors in the field. In addition, you will be allocated a Director of Studies who will be able to provide you with personal support in choosing course options and general advice to ensure your successful completion of the programme.
How do I know if this programme is for me?
If you are working in Higher or Further Education, or in public or private sector training, and want to learn more about how to practise and research online learning, you will benefit from this programme. It is aimed at all those with an interest in the convergence of learning with digital technologies – teachers, trainers, librarians, outreach workers, researchers, managers, technical developers, learning technologists and educational developers.
We welcome applications from all students – local, European and International – who meet the entrance requirements. You do not have to be resident in Edinburgh to take part in this programme – you can participate from your home location and fit your studies around your work and personal commitments.
If you are unsure whether the course is suitable for you, please contact us and we’ll help you decide.
What are the programme’s formal learning outcomes?
On completion of the Masters programme, you will:
- be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the key concepts and theories relating to learning, teaching and training with digital technologies.
- have a practical knowledge of a range of applications and environments for delivering online learning.
- be able critically to assess the relationship between these environments and a range of teaching approaches.
- have an advanced understanding of the critical and conceptual frameworks required in order to take an informed, professional approach to the use of new technologies for learning.
- be able to demonstrate the ability to reflect on your own practice as a professional in the field of e-learning.
- be able to demonstrate specialist knowledge of e-learning theory and practice specifically relevant to your own professional context.
- have the ability to develop your own innovative and creative proposals for effective implementation of online learning.
- critically review a range of methodologies and approaches relevant to enquiry into learning in the digital domain.
- plan, implement and complete a programme of high quality independent research in the field of e-learning.
How much does it cost?
For full-time students the cost is in line with the Standard Tuition Fee – 5,300 GBP UK/EU; 12,200 GBP overseas.
If you plan to study part-time, you can pay for the programme either on a per course basis, or by award – for example, you would start by being invoiced for the Postgraduate Certificate (the 40-credit ‘An introduction to digital environments for learning’ plus one more course). Then, if you wished to proceed to Diploma, you would be invoiced for a further three courses. Finally, on proceeding to the Dissertation you would receive a last invoice for that element of the programme (equivalent to another three courses).
The cost per course for 2011/12 is 590 GBP for UK/EU students and 1,360 GBP for overseas students; the one exception is ‘An introduction to digital environments for learning’, which is equivalent to two other courses (1,180 GBP for UK/EU students and 2,720 GBP overseas). The full Masters programme is equivalent to nine courses: ‘An introduction to digital environments for learning’ plus four more and a dissertation. More information about fee levels and ways of paying is available from the Fees section of the Postgraduate Prospectus. A full break-down of Postgraduate fees is available from the Registry site. There is also more information at the main university site about fees status and distance learning fees.
For specific fee enquiries, contact The Postgraduate Office:
The Postgraduate Office
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
The University of Edinburgh
1st Floor, David Hume Tower
Edinburgh EH8 9JX
+44 (0)131 651 3122
In addition to fee costs, you will also need to ensure you have access to the equipment you will need. Finally, while much of the programme reading material will be provided online, some courses will also require you to purchase a small number of texts.
Are any scholarships available?
The University of Edinburgh offers a limited number of scholarships for overseas distance learners. In 2012 there are four separate scholarships (26 awards in total) for which you can apply; more information about these is available through the new Scholarships & Student Funding Services departmental page. The deadline is 31 May 2012, and you must apply for course enrolment before applying online for these scholarships.
For other scholarship information, see the Scholarships and Student Funding web page.
When can I start?
Intakes are in September and January. The closing date for applications for the September intake is the end of the preceding March, and for the January intake is the end of the preceding September, so you will be to start from four to eleven months after applying, depending when you apply. You must begin by studying the core, foundational course ‘An introduction to digital environments for learning’.
What qualification will I get?
Three awards are available:
- Postgraduate Certificate – on successful completion of the 40-credit ‘An introduction to digital environments for learning’ and one more course
- Postgraduate Diploma – on successful completion of the 40-credit ‘An introduction to digital environments for learning’ and four more courses
- MSc – on successful completion of the 40-credit ‘An introduction to digital environments for learning’, ‘Research methods’, three more courses and a dissertation
You will be registered for the Postgraduate Certificate in the first instance and on successful completion of this, if you wish to continue, you will be registered for the Diploma/MSc.
Students who completed the previous 20-credit version of ‘An introduction to digital environments for learning’ will need to complete one more 20-credit course in addition to the above requirements for each degree.
How long will it take?
Teaching takes place across two semesters. Semester 1 runs from September-December; semester 2 runs from January-March.
If you plan to study full time completion times are:
- MSc: 12 months
- PGDip: 9 months
- PGCert: 4 months
You will complete the 40-credit ‘An introduction to digital environments for learning’ and one other course in semester 1, three courses in semester 2, and your dissertation between March and August.
Part-time students will find that the programme is designed in such a way that you can fit your study around your work and other commitments. We anticipate most participants will take one course per semester, though you may take two per semester if you wish (remembering that ‘An introduction to digital environments for learning’ is double the load of other courses). You can also break your study and skip a semester if you need to. Minimum and maximum times for completion of the programme are as follows:
- MSc: 24-60 months
- PGDip: 18-48 months
- PGCert: 12-24 months
What time commitment do I need to make?
Full-time students are expected to make a full-time commitment to the programme.
For those undertaking part-time study, please bear in mind that the programme demands a significant time commitment, and give serious thought to how you would integrate your study with the rest of your working and personal life before applying. As a rough guide, each course would require a time commitment of about 7-10 hours a week, with more being likely around the time of assignment completion. Having said this, the programme is all delivered online, and for this reason is highly flexible in a way that more conventionally-delivered programmes can’t be. It is also designed to mesh in a meaningful way with the work you are doing as a professional in the field.
What equipment will I need?
To access your courses you will need to have a computer with an internet connection. Your experience of the course will be a more satisfying one if you have broadband access; it isn’t essential, but is very highly recommended. You will also need a printer. Depending on the course options you take, you may also need to get hold of some specific pieces of software – these will generally be availably freely or at low cost, and full guidance will be given.
What computer skills should I have?
The programme is aimed at those with no specialist computer skills. Although some courses do teach practical skills in building courses in a virtual learning environment and in web page creation, for example, its focus is on the educational aspects of learning technology use. You should, however, have basic computer skills to the level of feeling confident in accessing the internet, downloading and managing files, and installing software on your computer. If you would like to take part but are concerned about your level of computing skill, please get in touch with us to talk it through.
How accessible are the programme spaces?
We aim to help people with disabilities study on our programme wherever possible, by providing alternative pathways through our course materials where necessary. If this affects you, you might also find the following resources helpful:
- AccessApps, a suite of free assistive-technology applications developed at the JISC Regional Support Centre, including text-to-speech, page magnification, and background-alterating software.
- Disability Computing Support at Information Services at the University of Edinburgh.
- The Disability Office at the University of Edinburgh.
- JISC TechDis, UK educational advisory service in the fields of accessibility and inclusion.
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What are the entry requirements?
You should normally have an upper second class honours degree, or its equivalent, and a professional interest in the area addressed by the programme. Those whose employment or other educational experience provides evidence of intellectual ability of an equivalent standard to an honours degree are also encouraged to apply.
You will also need proficiency in English (IELTS 6.5 or above – see the College English Language Requirements for details). If English is your second language, you are required to take the IELTS test.
If you are unsure whether you qualify for entry to the programme, please contact the programme leader for advice.
How do I apply?
You can apply online. Or contact:
The Postgraduate Office
College of Humanities and Social Science
The University of Edinburgh
1st Floor, David Hume Tower
George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JX
phone: +44(0)131 651 3122
fax: +44 (0)131 650 6536
email: hsspg@ed.ac.uk
You can also consult the postgraduate study pages about alternative methods of applying.
When do I need to apply?
There are two ‘intakes’ onto the Programme; one in September and one in January. Those who want to participate on a full-time basis must start in September, completing their course work in Semester 1 and 2 of a given academic year, working on their dissertation over the following summer, and finishing at the end of August. Those participating on a part-time basis may begin either in September or January.
The cycle of closing dates for applications for these two intakes is as follows:
- end of March for the following September intake
- end of September for the following January intake
We can receive applications, and are happy to discuss the programme with potential applicants, at any time. Our plan however is not to make any offers on the applications received until after the closing date, and to process all the applications as quickly as we can at that time. We appreciate that this is harsh on those wishing to plan ahead, but the volume of applications to the Programme has been high, and we wish to give all applicants an equal chance of being able to participate based entirely on the merits of their application.
How do I register and get started?
Once you are registered with the programme you will receive programme and course handbooks with everything you need to know. To guide you through the registration process, Academic Registry provides some matriculation guidance with particular regard to students undertaking distance learning programmes.
The Moray House School of Education, in which our programme is based, also provides information on its blended and entirely online programmes with links to useful information and an introductory video by Siân Bayne. The University's pages on online distance learning will also be useful.
Which courses are delivered when?
This is shown on the course delivery table. Each course runs over one semester – approximately 12 weeks. Details of semester times are available.