Courses for adults

Open Programme

Introduction to the different types of courses

Most of the courses in the Centre for Open Studies' 2012-13 Open Programme Courses for Adults brochure have no entry qualifications and most have no examinations. Students can choose courses from the following:

Most of the courses are run in Glasgow, although several are offered in the wider region.

ACE courses

These courses have no entry qualifications, no formal examinations, and usually no requirement of previous subject knowledge. They all feature an assessment option. If you successfully complete the assessment, you will gain 8 credit points towards an Award in Continuing Education. You will be eligible to apply for an Award once you have 40 ACE credits on your record.

ACE courses also act as a foundation for Certificate of Higher Education courses. In many cases the ACE course curriculum links directly to CertHE courses. ACE courses can provide you with the confidence and learning skills to allow you to progress to further study if desired.

As a further link between ACE and Certificate courses, you may be able to use part of your Award in Continuing Education towards a Certificate in Higher Education. Using a procedure called 'recorded or accredited prior learning', 20 credits from the Award may be transferred towards a Certificate, although this will depend on a number of factors including the title of your proposed Certificate.

Courses and events without credit

These courses are a traditional form of adult education. They are similar to ACE courses, but there is no assessment option and so no opportunity to gain credit.

Early enrolment helps

If a course struggles to recruit students, it may have to be cancelled a week or two in advance of the first class. This allows those who have enrolled to find an alternative activity and also frees up badly-needed teaching space. If students can enrol at least two weeks before the starting date it helps us keep courses running and plan the best use of classrooms.

University of Glasgow ID card

Students taking ACE credit courses are eligible for a University of Glasgow ID card. The card will allow entry to the University Library, the Language Centre Library and Sports Facilities (fee applies), and allow access to University computing facilities. See enrolment for more information regarding ID Cards. (Please note that students taking courses and events without credit are not eligible for a University of Glasgow ID card.)