Postgraduate Studies

Distance Learning Students

The Academic Year

Distance learners who are enrolled in one of our MA/Diploma/Certificate degree schemes can start their programme in October, January, or April.  Licence students usually start their programme in October, but a January start may be possible (depending on linguistic qualifications).

MPhil and PhD programmes, which have no taught element and are awarded purely for research, can be started in October, January, or April.

Teaching Methods

All the degree schemes offered by the department may be taken on a distance-learning basis.  This method is particularly useful for those who have other commitments that make full-time residence difficult.  Programmes can be taken entirely by distance learning; students do not have to visit the university in order to complete their degree.  Taking a degree by distance learning offers students more flexibility and the opportunity to work at their own pace.  Students are in regular contact with their tutors and/or supervisor throughout their period of registration. 

With the exception of linguistic modules, all modules are assessed by course work only and at the end of each module students write one 5,000 word essay on a topic of their choice.  Each 20-credit module consists of roughly 200 hours of study.

All non-linguistic MA/Diploma/Certificate modules have a comprehensive module pack that consists of a series of 10 units which give students detailed guidance for the topics studied.  Each unit will introduce a topic and include essential reading in the accompanying reader, suggestions for further reading, and a list of passages to read (if appropriate).  In order to give appropriate feedback to distance students and monitor closely their progress, students will be asked to send in four non-assessed contributions during the course of each module.  Suggestions for subjects for these short essays are included in the module pack and students can, within the guide-lines given and in consultation with the module tutor or coordinator, select their own topics to write about.  These non-assessed assignments are also useful as preparation for the writing of the formal assessed 5,000 word essay at the end of the course.

For information on the distance learning teaching methods used for linguistic modules, click here.

MPhil and PhD students work closely together with their supervisor on their chosen area of research.  Work is sent in by mail or as an e-mail attachment and supervisors can easily be contacted to discuss work.

Departmental handbook

More information about teaching methods, assessment, submission of work, marking criteria, special needs, plagiarism, and academic skills can be found in our departmental handbook which will be sent to students at the beginning of the academic term in which they start their studies.

‘Blended’ learning

Although distance learners can complete a degree without ever having visited Lampeter, students often find it useful to come to Lampeter for a short period to discuss their work in more detail with their tutor(s) or supervisor, to visit the Lampeter library, or to attend some of the classes offered to the residential students.  Students can, for example, plan to study for some module units at home and arrange to stay at Lampeter for the teaching of other units, combining in this way on- and off-campus learning and having the best of both worlds.  If you are interested in this type of ‘blended’ learning, do let us know so that we can discuss the possibilities and send you relevant timetables.  Campus accommodation is available at a reduced rate for distance students enrolled in any of the degrees offered by Lampeter (see below).

Another possibility is to come and visit us at the Lampeter Summer Workshop.  Distance students have found this an excellent opportunity to meet staff and fellow-distance learners.  In order to facilitate this further, a special meeting is organised at each summer school for all our distance learners.

Communication and support

Distance learners keep in close contact with their tutors by e-mail, mail, and phone.  Every effort will be made by the staff to keep in continuous contact with the non-resident students, to mail coursework as appropriate, reply to e-mails, allow telephone time, and offer extra tuition on the Lampeter campus.

Personal tutor

We are a small and friendly department and pride ourselves on the excellent staff-student relations.  Students are in close contact with their module tutors and/or supervisor, but to improve our student support further all students will be allocated a personal tutor for the duration of their course.  Your personal tutor will be available to discuss your progress and (if appropriate) your choice of courses.  He/She will also try to help you if you have problems concerning your course or studying, although you are, of course, welcome to approach any member of staff.

Library access

Lampeter has excellent resources for postgraduate study, both in the new Roderic Bowen Research Library and in the main University Library.  In addition, there is a small departmental library in Burgess Hall, the home of the Department of Classics.  Our annual per capita spend on new books and library resources is among the highest of all universities in the UK.  The main University library currently holds some 180,000 volumes and has subscriptions to over 1000 academic journals.

The new Roderic Bowen Research Library houses the University’s oldest printed books (1470-1860) and manuscripts (the earliest from the thirteenth century), given to Lampeter from 1822 onwards.  It contains over 25,000 books and pamphlets printed between 1470 and 1850, together with eight medieval manuscripts, three Hebrew scrolls and about 100 post-medieval manuscripts.  The subject coverage is very wide.  In addition to major collections of the classics, theology and philosophy, there is much history, literature, politics, archaeology, architecture and travel, as well as fine illustrated books and a substantial collection of material from the former Welsh Library Cenarth Collection (acquired in 1904).  It is a fundamental resource for teaching, research, and scholarship within the University.  Further information of the importance of the collection for the study of Classics can be found on our Research Institute website.

Library services are available to all distance students who are registered with the University and who have a current Lampeter library card.  Once students have registered and have received their library card, they should e-mail Kathy Miles in the library to ask for a Guide to Library Services and Resources which gives information about the services that the library can provide for students studying off-campus.

The following types of services can be provided:

postal loans

photocopies

interlibrary loans

access to electronic resources and databases

literature searches

facilitating access to Library Access Schemes (UK only)

Assistance with the use of library materials, whether hard-copy or electronic format

Postage is charged on all items sent to distance students, and photocopies will be charged at the rate of 10p per sheet.  Invoices for any charges incurred will be sent at the end of each term of vacation.

All registered students have access to the JSTOR Arts and Humanities package (through Athens) and to the Department’s collection of e-books.  JSTOR allows students to access periodicals on-line.  In order to gain access to JSTOR and any e-books students need to contact the Library once they have registered and have received their library card.

UK-based distance learning students can also join a Library Access Scheme.  This is a co-operative venture between Higher Education libraries which enables UK-based part-time and distance students to borrow material from other libraries. Further information about this scheme and an application form can be obtained from the library website.

Overseas and EU students

Overseas and EU students (i.e. any distance learner based outside the UK) especially need to consider very carefully how they are going to access the books necessary for study at this level.  Access to a good Classics library is an absolute necessity.  Although some essential reading material is provided by the Department as part of the module packs, any registered student has access to the university’s JSTOR package and the Department’s collection of e-books, and the Lampeter library may also be able to help in some ways, students are expected to be able to consult an extensive range of material for their assessed coursework and the writing of their dissertations or theses.  The wide variety of books and periodicals that you need to consult means that simply buying all the study material is not an option.

University Computing Services (UCS)

All registered students are entitled to an account on the University computer network. Once you have registered as a student you can apply for an e-mail account by filling in the ‘distance student e-mail account application’ on the UCS website.

Visiting Lampeter

Accommodation is available on campus for any distance student registered on our programmes who would like to visit the Department for study purposes.  Rooms are available at a reduced rate per night.  Further details can be obtained by contacting the Accommodation Officer, Mrs Pat Thomas, in the Accommodation and Residential Services.

Additional Opportunities

Travel opportunities

All registered students, including distance learners, are eligible to apply for the Federal University of Wales Ellen Thomas-Stanford scholarships, for travel to Europe and Mediterranean countries.  Each year around 20 of our students take the opportunity to visit classical sites.  The deadline for applications is, usually, around February.  Please contact Siân Davies and Julie Phillips, the Departmental Administrators, if you are interested in this option.

Summer Workshop

Since 1994, a highly successful Greek and Latin Summer Workshop has been held at Lampeter; small group tuition is provided in both languages at beginners, intermediate, intermediate/advanced, and advanced levels.  Courses in prose composition, Medieval Latin and Renaissance Latin are also offered.  In addition to the scheduled tuition, a varied programme of social events, talks on classical topics, country walks and excursions is arranged.  Students come from all over the world, from all academic backgrounds, and all age groups.  Distance students, in particular, have enjoyed coming to the summer school and meeting their tutors and fellow-distance learners. 

Further information

If you are interested in studying as a distance student, but are still unsure about how it will work in practice, please do not hesitate to contact us so that we can discuss the various possibilities with you personally.  Comments from distance students currently enrolled on our degree schemes can be found here.  We can also put you in touch with postgraduate students of the Department who are studying or have studied on this basis.

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