120 Credits
Key Advantages
The course is delivered entirely online through the University’s virtual learning environment, Blackboard. To fully participate, students will need consistent and reliable internet access, preferably via a broadband connection.
As a distance learning student, you will benefit from full access to the Leicester Digital Library—an extensive electronic resource that includes a wide range of e-journals, e-books, and academic databases. In addition, you can take advantage of the University’s Career Development Service, along with a variety of other dedicated support services tailored to distance learners.
Students living near Leicester are welcome to visit the University Library in person. For those based in the UK who wish to access other academic libraries, the University can provide a library access card through a national scheme, allowing borrowing privileges at up to three participating libraries.
Throughout your studies, you will be supported by an experienced and qualified tutor, who will guide you through each module and be available online to assist with your learning. You will also have access to specialist distance learning library services, academic databases, and interactive tools within the Blackboard platform.
Teaching and Assessment:
Each week, you will receive a carefully curated reading list accompanied by thought-provoking questions and exercises designed to help you engage critically with the material. You will also be invited to participate in online discussion forums, where you can share ideas, ask questions, and debate key themes with fellow students.
In addition to your weekly readings and forum discussions, you will complete a series of structured module activities aimed at developing essential academic skills while fostering a strong sense of community among distance learners. These “e-tivities” include both formative (non-credit bearing) and summative (credit-bearing) assessments that are closely aligned with your module’s learning outcomes. Credit-bearing tasks typically include a reflective statement and an end-of-module essay.
The structure of each module is designed to keep you on track with your studies while offering the flexibility needed by distance learners—particularly those balancing academic work with professional or personal commitments.
Throughout the course, you will be supported by a dedicated team of academic tutors and support staff, accessible via Blackboard and email. Administrative assistance is also available by phone, and you can contact your personal tutor through telephone or Skype. You will be encouraged to connect with fellow students to share insights, exchange ideas, and build a vibrant virtual learning community.
For the MA programme, you will also complete a dissertation as a key part of your final assessment.
The University of Leicester is a leading UK university committed to international excellence through the creation of world changing research and high quality, inspirational teaching. Celebrating diversity among our staff and students; widening participation in higher education; engaging with local, national and international communities – all of these are part of what we do and who we are.
Leicester is currently ranked in the Top 25 in the UK universities in the UK and Top 170 in the world, according to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2021. The University was awarded Silver by the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for graduate employment, student retention, student satisfaction, subject mix, entry qualifications and ethnicity.
The University of Leicester has won Times Higher Awards in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017 and 2018. Leicester has been awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education on three occasions – the highest form of national recognition open to a UK academic or vocational institution.
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