Degree structure
Taught coursework programmes
A taught coursework programme involves a period of study following lectures, seminars, etc and submitting coursework for assessment, followed by a period of supervised research from which a dissertation is produced. Masters degrees usually follow this pattern; postgraduate diplomas and postgraduate certificates usually omit the research and dissertation stage. Students registered on a one-year Masters programme are required to successfully complete examinations at the end of the taught coursework period before being allowed to progress to the dissertation stage.
A full-time taught coursework programme will usually last one year (comprising nine months attending lectures, etc and three months researching and preparing a dissertation); a part-time taught coursework programme will usually last two years (comprising 18 months attending lectures, etc, and six months researching and preparing a dissertation).