Distance Learning opportunities

The College of Arts and Law is home to a diverse range of distance learning courses, including taught and research options. We have a wealth of expertise in distance learning with over 20 years of delivering exceptional, high quality study. It enables you to work with our expert academics anywhere in the world, providing you with the flexibility to study the area of your particular interest, while continuing with your every-day life. Our distance learning courses are available to be studied both full-time and part-time.

Your distance learning study opportunities

What is distance learning?

Distance learning, otherwise known as online learning, is a flexible approach to the delivery of our postgraduate courses.

You will receive the same level of support and supervision as on-campus students, but course materials and supplementary information will be provided through a Virtual Learning Environment. Supervisory sessions will take place through audio-visual communication services.

We offer four types of programme by distance learning:

PgCert

We offer two PgCert programmes, in Applied Linguistics and in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). These include three taught modules, each assessed by written assignment. These are available to study on a part-time basis, over 18 months, so you can fit your studies around your existing commitments.

Taught MA

We offer taught Masters courses by distance learning in English Language, Heritage, History, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Shakespeare and Theology and Religion.

Generally, these include six taught modules and are completed with a 15,000-word dissertation (12,000-word dissertation for History). Some programmes are part-time only, completed in 24-36 months, but others also offer the option to study full-time and finish within a year.

Some of our Masters courses require some attendance: Shakespeare and Education has a core module which is delivered as a four-day block over Easter. However, you still complete the majority of the course at a distance. All other programmes can be studied entirely from your home location.

MA by Research

We offer Masters by Research programmes by distance learning across all subjects in Arts and Law, except English Language.

These programmes do not have any taught content and are completed with a 40,000-word dissertation. Generally, these programmes are available both full-time and part-time, studied over one or two years, respectively.

You will be fully-funded to make a visit to the University during the first year of your studies. This one-week visit is compulsory and takes place during set times in either September or January.

PhD

We offer PhD programmes by distance learning across all subjects in Arts and Law.

These programmes do not have any taught content and are completed with an 80,000-word dissertation unless otherwise stated. Generally, these programmes are available both full-time and part-time, studied over three or six years, respectively.

You will be fully-funded to make a visit to the University during the first year of your studies*. This one-week visit is compulsory and typically takes place during set times in either September or January.

*This compulsory visit does not apply to the PhD English Language and Applied Linguistics distance learning programme.

Benefits of Distance learning

Five reasons to consider distance learning for your postgraduate research

1. Carry out your research from wherever you are in the world!

Our distance learning programmes allow you to carry out your research from any part of the world, by making the most of digital technologies to provide expert supervision and access University resources. Distance learning also allows you to stay close to local resources you may need for your study, such as archives.

2. You will be well supported with your research

Despite being at a distance, you will still receive lots of support to ensure the success of your research. You will have monthly meetings with your supervisors (or bi-monthly if part-time) via video conference, as well as access to facilities such as the Library, IT and Canvas, our Virtual Learning Environment.

3. Flexibility to fit in with your life

Distance learning allows you to pursue your research goals around personal commitments. It also allows you to develop your career without having to leave employment, applying insights from your research to your working life while you are still studying. Our distance learning programmes are available both full-time and part-time.

4. Develop new skills

As you manage your research around other commitments, you will greatly enhance your organisational and time management skills. You will also need to regularly draw on your own initiative and motivation to ensure you stay productive. These all really valuable skills to be able to demonstrate beyond your research.

5. Join an international community

Although your fellow distance learning students will be based all over the world, you will still share a sense of community. This community is supported by the College and University, for example via a distance learning Discord channel and a range of virtual events. You will also get the opportunity to meet each other and your supervisors at the annual residential (or bi-annual if part time) in Birmingham*.

*The compulsory visit does not apply to the PhD English Language and Applied Linguistics distance learning programme.

Postgraduate distance learning Arts and Law courses

The College of Arts and Law offers a wide range of innovative MA and PhD programmes by distance learning.

Browse by subject area below:

African Studies

Archaeology

Classics

Drama and Theatre Arts

English Literature

English Language and Applied Linguistics

Film and Creative Writing

Heritage

History

History of Art

History of Art PhD/MA by Research (On-Campus or by Distance Learning)

Law

Modern Languages and Cultures

Music

Philosophy

Theology and Religion

Theology and Religion PhD/MA by Research (On-Campus or by Distance Learning)

Why study at Birmingham?

The University of Birmingham is one of the UK's leading research and teaching universities, with more than 20 years’ experience of offering diverse, high quality, absorbing distance learning courses.

Studying by distance learning gives you the unique ability to access our academic expertise and resources from anywhere in the world. To find out more about the resources that would be available to you, take a look at the various sections on this page.

Our courses have been designed to be studied at a distance, giving you the flexibility to study from any location within a structured and supportive framework.

You will also become part of, and contribute to, the vibrant international community of the College of Arts and Law Graduate School. Our distance learners study with us from all over the world, from the United States to the Seychelles.

We also have a number of distance learning mentors who can answer your queries on studying here at Birmingham and offer advice on what you may need to consider, for both taught and research programmes. You can find out more these mentors below.

Your support and study experience

Learning resources for distance learning students

Like any on-campus student, you will have access to the University’s student portal and online library*, and extensive support from academic staff.

Through the University's mobile app, MyUoB, you can access information about your course, track your academic progress and use your programme’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Our VLE, Canvas, provides you with electronic learning materials, careers support, and the opportunity to connect with other students and tutors through online chats and discussion forums. For postgraduate taught students Canvas will also contain: aims and objectives, reading lists, summaries of readings, activities and commentaries, discussion and reflection tasks, indexes and details of assignments required.

Using our online library you can access our world-class collection of e-books, journal archives and library catalogues. You may also need to obtain books and journals more locally. In certain circumstances, subject to copyright legislation, we may be able to provide some additional printed materials. Alongside these you will also have extensive support from your supervisor.

*You must have regular access to a computer with an internet connection to use the University of Birmingham’s learning resources.

Distance learning fees and funding

Here you will find details of distance learning courses fees and the funding opportunities offered by the College.

Specific programme fees will be listed on the course page for each programme. In most cases, we charge an annual tuition fee - so for those studying over two or more years, fees will be payable in each year of your programme - but some taught programmes are charged on a modular basis.

Additional guidance for taught students (MA programmes)

The majority of our distance learning programmes can be studied fully online, at a distance. However, some include on-site elements and where this is the case, it will be specified on the course page and the cost of attendance included in the course fee.

Additional guidance for research students (PhD and MA by Research programmes)

Distance learning PhD and MA by Research fees are generally the same as our standard on-campus degrees, and include the following*:

Economy flights to and from the UK for the required campus visit (in first year of study)
Accommodation at the University for the required campus visit

* This excludes PhD English Language and Applied Linguistics by distance learning. This programme does not include residential elements; please see course pages for details of fees.

Funding

You may be eligible for a UK Government-backed Masters Loan or Doctoral Loan. These are available to those studying by distance learning, as well as on campus, although specific eligibility criteria apply.

There may also be other College of Arts and Law and University funding available. Please browse the scholarship pages and the University funding database for details of all available funding opportunities.

Academic support for distance learning students

As a distance learning student, you will receive just as much support as you would do if you were studying on campus.

Postgraduate researchers will have supervision throughout their research. Supervisory sessions will take place via audio and visual communication services such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom, rather than in person, and will generally take place monthly. Regular email communications will of course be available too.

Postgraduate taught students will have supervision whilst working on their dissertation, and will have the support of a personal tutor throughout their course as well. To find out more about the support provided by your School, please refer to individual course pages in the study opportunities section on this page.

In addition to your supervisor, you will have access to our other online support services if you should need them. These include:

Access to IT helpline services and technical support
Support with academic writing through the Academic Writing Advisory Service (AWAS)
Academic and personal development resources from our Centre for Learning and Academic Development
Access to online resources and personal support by email or phone from our Careers Network

Visiting Birmingham

Visits to the campus for distance learning students

Students on distance learning courses with the College of Arts and Law are welcome to visit campus and use our excellent facilities during their programme. In some cases there is also a compulsory visit to campus. This is outlined in this section.

Postgraduate Taught Masters

If you are studying on a postgraduate taught distance learning programme, you are generally not required to visit campus. This excludes Shakespeare and Education which has a core module delivered as a four-day block over Easter.

If you are studying any other postgraduate taught programme with the College, you are very welcome to visit if your schedule will allow, but this is not compulsory. If you do choose to visit campus, we would encourage you to make contact with your Department to arrange to meet staff from your programme, as well as taking advantage of the various resources and facilities that the University offers.

Postgraduate Research (MA by Research and PhD)

Distance Learning PhD and MA by Research students are required to visit the University once in their first year of study, for a one-week residential course to be held either in September or in January. This excludes the PhD English Language and Applied Linguistics which does not include a campus visit.

These visits are one-week long for distance learning MA by Research and PhD students. Such visits may be subsidised by the College of Arts and Law. Please check with the College of Arts and Law Graduate School on calpg-research@contacts.bham.ac.uk to see whether this support is offered by your intended programme.

These visits give you the opportunity to meet your supervisors and fellow distance learners, and network with other staff and students at the University. You will also take part in various activities to improve your understanding of the PhD process, and research skills training to enhance your research capabilities. Visiting Birmingham will also give you the opportunity to explore our beautiful campus and make the most of the facilities we have on campus, as well as across the city.

All distance learning students

All distance learners are welcome to attend any events or conferences that the University is holding throughout their programme.

Applicants who are willing and able to visit Birmingham regularly may wish to consider a part-time study route which is available for the majority of our campus programmes.