THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH |
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Degree Programme Specification PG Certificate in Law (by online distance learning) (Part-Time) |
PG Certificate in Law (by online distance learning) (Part-Time) |
To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. This information is created when new programmes are established and is only updated periodically as programmes are formally reviewed. It is therefore only accurate on the date of last revision. |
Awarding institution: | The University of Edinburgh |
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Teaching institution: | School of Law |
Programme accredited by: | The University of Edinburgh |
Final award: | Postgraduate Certificate in Law |
Programme title: | Postgraduate Certificate in Law (distance learning) |
UCAS code: | |
Relevant QAA subject benchmarking group(s): | |
Postholder with overall responsibility for QA: |
School of Law Director of Quality Assurance & Enhancement |
Date of production/revision: | July 2016 |
Further Information: | View the prospectus entry for this programme |
Teaching and learning methods and strategies |
Teaching and learning methods Our distance learning programmes are delivered via eSCRIPT - our flexible online learning environment developed by the University. eSCRIPT is accessible from any computer via the internet. A fast connection is an advantage, but students do not need any special equipment, applications or plug-ins. Learning and teaching within eSCRIPT happen 'asynchronously' and the classroom is accessible 24/7. This means that students have the flexibility to log in at any time and study at times and in places convenient to them. In a typical week on our distance learning programmes, students will be expected to:
Extensive and authoritative learning materials are provided within eScript. These are highly up-to-date and topical, and generally relate directly to academics’ fields of research activity. Online discussion is central to our distance learning programmes, but we regularly offer a variety of other learning activities to accommodate and reinforce different learning styles. Examples include: multiple-choice quizzes; voting in an online debate; annotating short sections of text; role play activities; and more. Our academic tutors are all experts in the fields they are teaching. They have the in-depth knowledge and understanding of their discipline, but they are also experienced teachers - in the online environment and on campus. Students will meet tutors regularly in eSCRIPT, where they will be stimulating discussion, answering questions, offering feedback, and helping to weave individual contributions into coherent new directions. Sometimes their role may actually mean staying out of the discussion - to allow space for students to develop their own ideas. From time to time, we also involve specialist guest tutors, who come in alongside the regular tutors to lead a focused discussion on a particular topic. Facilities Online distance learning students are accorded with full rights as students of the University of Edinburgh, which grants access to a vast range of online resources - amongst the most common legal databases used during the programme would be LexisNexis, Westlaw and HeinOnline. Certain courses on the programme are accompanied by a text book which is provided to students as part of their programme fee. Students have access to a range of learning resources, specially developed to meet the needs of those entering our programmes without any background in legal study, or those who may be returning to legal study after a prolonged break. These specialist support materials will extend and refresh students’ knowledge and understanding of the Western legal tradition. They also provide a firm foundation for students to develop essential skills in legal research methods and resources. An extensive resource bank of podcast lectures in relevant subject areas is also maintained, specifically for students. |
Assessment methods and strategies |
To successfully complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Law by online distance learning students are required to complete:
Modules offered within the programme follow a consistent assessment structure. Each module has a requirement to write an essay (60%); participate in online discussion and activities (20%); and complete a coursework assignment (20%). This structure offers students a variety of assessment forms, and assignments tailored to the specific learning outcomes of each module. Students can pursue relevant research interests they may bring to the programme, with the facility to devise their own essay title in agreement with their tutor. Students provide feedback on global programme matters and on each specific module they take, at the end of every semester they are on-programme. This feedback is used to monitor the effectiveness of our teaching, learning and assessment strategies, and to develop innovative new methods. Synoptic paper PG Certificate students have the option of substituting one taught module with a synoptic paper of 7,500 words, weighted at 20 credits. The purpose of the synoptic paper is to allow students to design and conduct a supervised piece of research and analysis, and a more extensive writing project. The paper will overview of an area of law, akin to a primary and secondary literature review, associated with the learning outcomes achieved during the Certificate programme as a whole. Students will also have scope to draw on their professional experience and context. Each student will be assigned a supervisor for this piece of work. Supervision will be structured around four key online or internet meetings with a supervisor, to agree:
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Career opportunities |
One of the key strengths of the online distance learning programmes is the diversity of the student cohort. Students join from all over the world, and they bring a wide range of professional experience. The programme is an opportunity to engage with each other as well as with the subject matter, and to learn about the practical application of the law in different jurisdictions as well as debate the fundamental principles and theories. The majority of our students are mid-career, and they often work across international boundaries. Many will already be established in their career, but wish to use the programme to consolidate skills and knowledge accumulated over time. Graduates of our online distance learning programmes progress to a range of careers in law and related legal fields, including work in local and international firms, government legal departments, other public institutions, international organisations and in academia. The programmes are also an ideal platform for advanced research. For some graduates, successful completion of the programme will lead to a promotion within their current positions. Others aim to develop a new professional direction altogether. The programme aims to support students in whichever outcome they aspire to, through developing their knowledge and understanding of the law, but also through acquiring transferable skills and, not least, the experience of engaging with leading academics in the field and with fellow students. Successful Certificate students may progress to one of the eLLM programmes, as long as they have attained an average of 50% or higher in the Certificate. The profile of online distance learning students, and their needs for career guidance, are recognised by the University careers service, which offers information resources relevant to international and non-Law careers, and the opportunity to arrange individual consultations with students who are based remotely. |
Other items |
Programme Director: Professor Graeme Laurie (T: 0131 650 2020; E: graeme.laurie@ed.ac.uk) |
Further information |