There are many factors to determine which qualification is best for you including subject, costs, level and reputation of the institutions. There are also your personal commitments to your work and family. If studying full time on campus is not a realistic consideration for your requirements, then the various modes of learning offered by non-local courses from the UK offers practical options.
Full-time study requires a student to dedicate more of their time to complete a course within a shorter period. Typically these programmes are conducted during normal working hours and are popular for sub-degree and undergraduate degrees.
Part-time courses deliver the same content as full-time courses but are spread over a longer period of time and delivered in shorter sessions. Part-time courses can therefore be provided during evenings and weekends, making them highly suitable for those seeking to stay in their careers while gaining a qualification. Part-time study is popular for professional and postgraduate courses.
This is the traditional way of delivering a course, where the educator will be in the physical presence of students. Teaching can be in the form of lectures, seminars or tutorials. Such courses also offer valuable interaction between fellow students through discussions, group/coursework, networking and socialising. Face-to-face courses will also be hosted on approved premises well facilitated for studying.
Distance learning delivers material to students who may not physically be on campus. The content may be in the form of printed media such as books and/or digital media such as DVD-ROMs and web-based technologies.
Learning by correspondence is a form of distance learning.
Some distance learning programmes offer real-time platforms to learn with other students and communicate with teachers and tutors. Often they are supplemented locally with face-to-face support or require on-site assessments such as invigilated examinations (see Blended/hybrid learning).
For a full listing of recognised distance learning courses from the UK, visit our website.
www.britishcouncil.org/hongkong-educationuk
This combines physical and virtual resources to deliver teaching and materials. The combination of technology and face-to-face teaching means students will have multiple choices in their method of learning and communication.
Offered in part-time courses, intensive block mode provides the same amount and level of content as full-time or part-time courses, but condenses this into a few days of teaching. This is a popular approach in Hong Kong, where 20 to 30-hour modules are condensed into two full weekends and week day evenings within one fortnight. Intensive block mode is most often used where lecturers from the UK are flown to Hong Kong to teach face-to-face.
This allows students to embrace different methods of study, supported by the educational institution. It makes use of a full range of technologies and approaches such as distance learning and blended learning. However, it places importance on the student’s freedom to choose when, where and how to study.
A method of learning that combines the experience of the workplace with studying a specific field relevant to your career. It requires students to draw from their experience and resources at work and apply what is being learnt from their studies. Likewise, what they learn from work will in itself form part of the learning experience. This is therefore suited to adult learners who wish to stay in their studies and who are supported by their employers.
This focuses on the development of practical skills obtained in the workplace or vocational institute while actually working. Modern apprenticeships combine theoretical study and hands-on training. Apprenticeships are popular for technical and vocational careers. There is often the added benefit that apprentices are paid by the employer for their work. Internships may be categorised as apprenticeships, but instead focus on work experience related to office or business skills.
Self-study is a fundamental part of all learning as completing any course will require students to initiate their own research work and practice for better understanding. Self-study courses support the student by way of materials. However, they may not provide the student with the same range of technologies or academic support as other approaches.
Learning outcomes of these courses derive from the research conducted by the student. Research graduates will also have developed their skills of analysis, evaluation and expertise. Applicants for such courses are expected to have the experience and skills to conduct research either from their work or from attaining previous qualifications.
Students will be required to research a specific field, the findings or results of which will add to the existing body of knowledge in that field. Institutions offering research-based courses will support students through research guidance, expert supervision and access to resources.
For more information about UK courses available in Hong Kong, visit our website.
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