Schedule of classes
The classes for each of the modules will be held over three long weekends (dates to be fixed). In 2006–2007, the three teaching weekends in Semester 1 were in mid-August, mid-October and mid-November 2006; those for Semester 2 are planned for mid-January, early February and mid-March 2007. The normal maximum working day on each teaching weekend is from 8.30am to 6.30pm, but there are occasional evening events (visiting speakers, etc) as well.
Time commitment needed
It takes both time and effort, if you are to prepare for your classes, attend them and do the necessary reading around the course subjects and the prescribed written coursework. The teaching weekends are intensive and require significant preparation — from materials supplied ahead in hard copy form or electronically. You will also need to do significant consolidation and follow-up work after each weekend. The part-time two-year structure makes it possible for you to combine the programme with your existing occupational responsibilities, especially if you have a supportive employer or firm (and domestic partner).
Students on the similar programme at King’s College London report that they spend 10–15 hours a week in term-time in reading, writing and preparing for classes, in addition to attending lectures and tutorials. Many choose to take holiday or other leave for revision in the period before the examinations.
The DRGS knows that occasionally students’ work commitments make it difficult for them to attend classes regularly. A student whose attendance or time for study is seriously disrupted by work or illness may find it necessary to interrupt his/her registration on the programme or to ask for a deferral before taking examinations or completing the dissertation. Both interruption and deferral need approval by both NUS and King’s College London and will only be granted if a good case is made to them. Additionally, only one deferral will normally be allowed for business/professional reasons. An interruption or deferral will almost certainly require the student to pay higher or additional annual fees for his/her last year.
The programme includes regular opportunities each teaching weekend for students to raise any questions about the running of the programme, with a formal feedback meeting once each semester for all students on the programme (normally chaired by the Head of Department at NUS); all students also have the chance to offer feedback on individual lecturers.