BSc Business Administration
How you study
It is entirely your choice to decide which study option would suit you best. You are welcome to use the paper-based study guides together with the core textbooks and only access the Online Learning Environment intermittently, perhaps to complete some of the automated self-test exercises, listen to audio clips from lecturers or take part in online discussions.
However, if you prefer to study online, all materials will be available on the World Wide Learning Community (WWLC) where you will also be able to have ongoing contact with your tutors and fellow students. The WWLC is accessible through any standard Internet browser, and gives access to study guides and learning materials required for the course. This environment will give you the opportunity to work with, and learn from, students across the world.
When you first register as an External student you will receive:
- Comprehensive paper-based study guides
- Student Handbook
- Regulations
- CD-ROMs
- Core textbooks
- WWLC user guide, username and password
Access to the WWLC offers a variety of resources to support the learning experience and it will allow you to:
- access your course materials
- take part in discussions with your tutor and fellow students
- complete automated self-test exercises
- listen to audio clips from lecturers
- submit assignments to be marked
- receive notices, seminar dates, project support and other programme-related information
- ask questions regarding the administration of the programme
Online discussions via the WWLC are used for three different types of learning-related activity:
1. Online seminars
Online seminars are regular, formal discussions that will be moderated by your tutor. Although
participation in these seminars is not compulsory, we would strongly recommend that you take part
in them as this will afford you an opportunity to expand and test your knowledge. Seminars will
take place on set dates and will last for a set amount of time (details will be shown on your seminar
timetable). You will also receive detailed instructions about each seminar before you are expected
to join it.
Your tutor has picked key themes or skills that they wish to discuss with you in the online seminar
and you will be expected both to prepare for and participate in the discussions. Please note that
your tutors have chosen each seminar topic for a very specific reason: it may be crucial to your
understanding of a particular topic or it may help you to prepare for an assignment or exam question.
Your tutor's role is to facilitate the seminars to make sure that you get the maximum benefit from
them. This means that they will work with you to help you get the right conclusions; they will
not simply give you answers to the questions they pose.
2. Non-moderated topic-related discussions
These are academic, topic-related discussions that are not moderated by your tutor. However, they are monitored by a member of staff who checks the discussions regularly to ensure that the correct protocols are being observed. Non-moderated discussions are especially useful for exploring complex ideas with your peers over an extended period of time. Although non-moderated discussions are not compulsory, all students are strongly advised to participate. Generally, your tutor writes one non-moderated discussion for each topic. However, you may start your own non-moderated discussions if there is a theme or idea that you particularly want to discuss with your peers.
3. Student café
The student café is an area within the WWLC where you can socialise with your peers. It is important for you to build friendships with your fellow distance learners; using this area will probably help you to feel less isolated as you will be able to discuss any challenges or frustrations you may be experiencing as a distance learner. Your fellow students will probably understand your feelings much better than your family and friends and might be able to provide useful advice.