1) What is the course schedule?

The course runs over four semesters, and students can start it at one of two points during the academic year - either October start or February start. The two semesters run from October to February, and February to June. Your first semester will depend on when you register for the course (either October or February.) A full course schedule with the units which will be undertaken will be sent out in the offer letter.

2) How, where and when do the assessments take place?

Assessments occur at the end of each semester. The main exams take place twice a year, usually at the end of January within a three-week period, and at the end of May within a three-week period. The referral period is usually at the beginning of July for a three-week period. The dates of the assessment periods for the current academic year will be sent with your offer letter.

Home/UK and Overseas - EU/International examination arrangements:

During your registration process you will be informed of the University of Portsmouth's approved exam centres. Students must choose their centre from this list and inform the University within three weeks of registration. If notification is not received within this time period, no arrangements will be put in place to enable you to take your exams, which will result in a failed assessment. Students will need to ensure that they can make their own arrangements to attend these centres.

3) Do I have to pay for the exams and how do I do this?

Yes, exams are paid for by students. The cost will depend on the exam centre chosen, as they vary in price. When you inform us of the centre where you want to sit your exams, you allow us to release your details to the centre. We will book the exam for you and the centre will invoice you directly. If you need to retake an exam under referral or deferral conditions or as a repeat, the same conditions apply.

4) What are the tuition fees and the mode of payment?

For tuition fee details please go to the following link and use the Tuition Fee Look-up Facility:
www.port.ac.uk/feelookup.

Further details about how you can make a payment can be found at www.port.ac.uk/tuitionfees.

These fees do not include any retrieval of failed units. Additional costs will apply, and this would be based on whether you wish to repeat units or repeat year.

Course materials will be available online through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). However, you will be required to obtain your own books - each unit tends to have one set book that you will be required to have access to.

5) How long is the course?

This course is entirely off campus via online/distance learning and can be completed part time, within two academic years.

6) Is this course accredited by any professional body?

The course has not been accredited by any external organisation. However you can apply as an individual to the British Computing Society (BCS).

7) Which days of the week will I have to attend the University?

You will not have to attend the University for any lessons; they are all completed online. You will receive details of how to access your teaching material with your offer letter, but you will not be able to access this until you have been given your student number seven days before the induction start date.

8) Will the certificate say 'distance learning'

The certificate/parchment will not say 'Distance Learning (DL)', however, end of year transcripts will.

9) What is the application deadline for this course?

There are two intakes per year in September and January. To allow time for the application process to be completed and for us to ensure that we get your access to the teaching material ready in time, you should submit your application (and supporting documents) in a timely manner.

The deadlines for applications for the next intakes are 3 August 2012 (revised deadline for September 2012 start) and 30 November 2012 (revised deadline for January 2013 start). All applications and supporting documents must be received by the Technology Admissions Centre no later than 1600 (GMT) on the day of the application deadline.