For some time it has been recognised by the University of London that not everyone wants or needs to register for a full degree. This is sometimes because professionals need to increase and update their specialist knowledge by focusing on particular subjects or specialised areas and are therefore interested only in specific subjects for Career Development.

Short individual courses are also an option when someone does not know whether they have the time and commitment to study the entire degree programme. Because studying by distance learning is quite different from what they are used to, candidates sometimes want to ‘sample’ a programme first to see if they can cope with this distinctive flexible mode of study.

Your option to study Short Individual Courses as a University of London Occasional Student

The University of London uses different terminology to describe this opportunity for Continuing Professional Development. Some colleges of the University say that you can register and follow Individual Courses, whilst other colleges refer to them as Short Courses even though their duration is not necessarily shorter than those followed by students aiming to complete a full degree. Another term used by the University is that of candidates being Occasional Students which distinguishes those registered to study just a few course units from those studying towards a full degree qualification.

This opportunity to complete Short, Individual course units as an Occasional Student is available through most programmes at Masters level and a few at Bachelors level. Please note however, that not all short course opportunities through the University of London are accepted by the various professional bodies and it is therefore recommended that you check with your specific professional organisation before proceeding.

Individual Course Units for Career Development

Companies may choose to include the option of Individual or Occasional course units within their training or career development plans for key staff. Studying by distance learning gives the flexibility of studying in your own time without having to be absent from work during critical periods.

Provided the entry requirements are met, employees have the opportunity, through selection of specific course units, to satisfy specific development needs by studying state of the art material, developed by University of London faculty.

Entrance Requirements and Application Deadlines :

In order to maintain standards, the entrance requirements for acceptance to study individual short courses are normally the same as those required for studying the full degree. The Application Deadline dates are also the same as for full degree study as they are assessed using the same high principles and values. In most cases the same application form is used whether you are applying to join the full degree programme or a number of short course units. The number of short individual courses which you can apply to study, varies with each degree programme.

Assessment :

Students registered for Short Individual courses can normally decide whether they wish to be formally assessed by the University. Those who choose not to be assessed will be eligible to receive a Certificate of Registration. Those who are assessed through the normal process for the course will, on successful completion and assessment for each individual course, receive a University of London Certificate of Achievement.

Credit Transfer :

Students may sometimes, at the discretion of the University, transfer credits achieved through the successful assessment of short individual Postgraduate level courses, to the related Postgraduate degree or diploma, provided the relevant regulations are followed and appropriate fees are paid.

Fees :

Individual short course units are priced separately, depending on the programme from which they have been selected.

Enquiries :

For more information on how to study by distance learning or any of the above points, please send an enquiry by completing this form. [New window]

Individual course units can be selected from the following degree programmes:

Please remember that the title given to a degree programme does not always indicate the individual course units or subjects which are to be studied. If in doubt, please enquire using the form provided on this web site.

Undergraduate Degree programmes:

BA Classical Studies
BA History
LLB - Bachelor of Laws

BSc programmes through LSE - the London School of Economics and Political Science - in :

Please Note : It is not currently possible for an Occasional Student studying individual course units from any of the LSE Bachelors level degree programmes to transfer credits or accumulate passes towards a University of London qualification. The Access Route is available and recommended for those who are eligible but not certain about committing themselves to a full degree by distance learning.

Postgraduate Diploma and Degree programmes: