About Distance Learning at Dundee

The University of Dundee has been at the forefront of distance learning for some 30 years. This is an educational approach to learning that enables the University to offer a wide range of flexible learning opportunities to students in the UK and abroad at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

All distance learning courses are modular and the majority of courses are linked to the Credit Accumulation and Transfer system (CAT), awarding SCOTCAT levels and points from Level 2 to Masters Level.

Advantages of Distance Learning

The main advantage of distance learning is that it allows students to study at a time, pace and place convenient to their needs.

Learning can therefore be integrated into existing commitments whether they be professional, personal or domestic. Distance learning is an increasingly popular method of course delivery for busy professionals wishing to update their practice or continue their academic development.

Students can also benefit from the trend within the University towards mixed mode delivery where students can choose a certain component of their course to be undertaken by distance learning.

Student Support and Tuition

Although the student is studying at a distance from the University the importance of supporting students through their programme or course of study is well recognised.

The University has in place a wide range of support systems to help distance learning students at various stages of the learning process. This is accomplished in a variety of ways from local face-to-face tutorials and telephone tutorials to text-based or electronic study guides that direct learning from commencement of a module of study to the formal assessment.

In many courses students also have the opportunity to network with other learners through a range of media options such as teleconferencing, videoconferencing, the internet (email) and computers.

The interests of distance learners and the development of distance learning as a method of course delivery are represented through the University's Distance Learning Forum.