Studying
Study by distance learning at CeFIMS is designed to work for you. It’s simple, straightforward and flexible. Here are some of the things you will need to know.
Years, sessions and courses – planning your timetable
Starting work – your course materials
How your work is assessed
Using the Online Study Centre
When you need a little help
Someone to talk to
How long will it take?
We have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions to help answer your queries that you may have about studying, the OSC, assignments and examinations.
Years, sessions and courses – planning your timetable
You can start your programme in either November, January or June. We divide the year into five sessions in which we offer the courses that make up the programme. You are able to select and enrol on courses throughout the year. You can use our online enrolment form for maximum convenience and speed. The form will automatically allow you to enrol in the next available session and all other available sessions for that year. We will send you reminders by email when we open enrolment and before each enrolment deadline. Usually, a particular course is available in two of the year’s sessions. This gives you flexibility on how you study during the year. You can take up to five courses a year - one in each session.Starting work – your course materials
Before you start on each of your courses, we will send you everything you need. The details vary from course to course, but a typical set of course materials would include the following:
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Study Guide
This is a looseleaf binder containing eight 'course units'. The units are carefully structured to provide the main teaching, defining and exploring the main concepts and issues, locating these within current debate and introducing and linking the further assigned readings. The unit files are also available to download from the Online Study Centre. Textbooks
For most courses you are sent textbooks and Reader volumes, which are a collection of articles and key chapters relevant to the subject.Multimedia resources
Some courses provide lectures on DVD that expand on important issues that have been raised in the course. Computer software may also be included.Assignments
For each course, there are two assignments, one of which must be completed by the Tuesday of Week 5 and the other by the Tuesday after Week 8. A specimen exam paper is included in the introduction section of each course to aid your revision for the exam held in October. The assignments can be downloaded from the Online Study Centre
You will be sent a textbook by Talbot entitled Studying at a Distance with your first set of course materials. This provides helpful advice on how to study by distance learning. We have also created two audio files as a means of introducing you to your studies.
This podcast introduces you to the Centre and offers helpful advice on how to study at a distance.
This podcast gives advice on how to prepare and write assignments and examinations.
How your work is assessed
For each course that makes up your programme, you will complete two assignments. Assignment One is due at the beginning of week 5 of the session and Assignment Two at the end of the course, on the Tuesday after week 8. There is a three-hour examination held in October.
You can submit your assignments online and our online tutors will grade them and provide feedback to you. There are examination centres in over 140 countries, so that you will almost certainly be able to take your exams in your own country.
Using the Online Study Centre
Through the Online Study Centre you will have instant access to your current course materials and be able to read electronic journals and other materials provided online by the University of London. You can submit your assignments and receive your grades and the comments of your tutors quickly. You can join discussion forums with other students.
The OSC User Guide can be accessed here.
When you need a little help
Help and advice are available through the Online Study Centre.
Academic matters
There is a direct link to your named University of London tutor who will mark and comment on your assignments. Your tutor will also be available to answer any academic questions you may have about the academic content of your programme.
Administrative questions
If you have questions about the administrative aspects of your studies, a member of the administrative staff will be available.
Technical help
A technical team will be available to help you with any difficulties you may experience in accessing the OSC.
Someone to talk to
Talking to other students and staff informally is an important part of an academic programme. We will arrange online discussion forums through the Online Study Centre that you can join. There are CeFIMS students in over 160 countries and we will let you know the whereabouts of students who live near you.
We will also give you information about visits by University of London staff who are coming to your country so you can arrange to meet them and other students.
How long will it take?
Most students take three years to complete a Masters and two years to finish a Postgraduate Diploma, although this may vary, according to decisions that you take during your programme about how quickly you want to progress.
