Cambridge University offers distance learning in a wide range of subjects; everything from Investment and Finance to Life Coaching can be studied online. These courses are designed for the busy professional looking to learn more; they provide online teaching, discussions and assignments that can be accessed any time, anywhere. Most courses are worth "credits," which can be combined to gain a certificate or award.
Cambridge University's online study courses range in length from five weeks to two years. The shorter courses can often be combined to create a full-length course. A "Certificate in Higher Education in Grief and Bereavement" can be gained through taking five courses (each three months in length), and a "Certificate in Higher Education in Life Coaching" can be earned through studying six courses, each taking five weeks. The "Postgraduate Diploma in Notarial Practice" takes longer; it is a legal training course spanning two years, and on completion, the student is qualified as a notary.
Most of the courses offered online by Cambridge University don't require any formal qualifications. All that's needed is a keen interest in the subject in question. Some courses also ask for some relevant experience; the Grief and Bereavement courses, for example, are aimed at professionals who encounter grief in their workplace, whether hospice workers, clergy or emergency workers. Application forms are available to download online; for most courses, payment should be included with the application form.
The cost of each course varies according to the length of the course and the amount of face-to-face teaching. Most courses cost between £500 and £2,000 (approximately $750 to $3,000). The cheapest courses are those taught entirely online, such as An Introduction to Christian-Muslim Relations, which costs only £165 (roughly $250). The most expensive courses tend to be those that give students a qualification when successfully completed.
Each of the online study courses offered at Cambridge University allows students to study, communicate and submit assignments online. This distance learning can be complemented by face-to-face teaching and discussion, usually located in beautiful surroundings at the ancient University of Cambridge. Most of the courses offered count towards a Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma, and many can be combined to give a full overview of a subject.
Cambridge University does not offer any awards for courses taught entirely online. To gain an award or certificate after your course, it is necessary to choose a course involving classes or workshops, usually situated in Cambridge. Workshops are often short-just one or two days in length-but they provide the necessary experience to complete the course. Those looking for distance learning courses that don't involve travel should look elsewhere.