How Does Open Access Work?

Open Access modules allow you to study individual modules from our MSc programmes, perhaps to fill gaps in your professional education, or to expand your career opportunities.  Modules can be taken as a stand-alone option or gradually built towards a qualification. When you apply for the programme, you select your first module and arrange payment of the tuition fees for that module, becoming a registered student of the university.   Some students take only one module for CPD purposes. If you successfully complete the assignments or examinations in that module you will have the option either to take a module completion certificate and end your studies, or continue to build up module credits.

Others choose to continue their studies, taking more modules to build towards a Postgraduate Certificate. If you pass the modules and you would like to take more, you will pay for further modules as you register for them. Most modules are 10 credit modules, so 6 modules must be passed in order to qualify for a Postgraduate Certificate.

Open Access students may transfer onto a Part-time MSc or PGDip programme to complete their studies. To see an illustration look at the Open Access Guide

Please note that the mode of teaching is not 'distance learning'.  Open Access students participate in classes with other postgraduate students, but it is a means of studying part-time to fit in with life's other commitments.

Click on the module titles below to find out more about what they can offer.

Starting September/October 2013

• Sustainability and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
• Site Investigation and Risk Assessment
• Hydrogeology
• Global Water Policy
• Principles of Environmental Microbiology
• Water and Environmental Management
• Air pollution, climate change and human health
• Pollution and rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems
• Introduction to Health and Safety
• Food Inspection and Control
• Food Safety and Hygiene
• Infection and Vector Control

Starting January 2014

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• Contaminated Land
• Environmental Forensics
• Environmental Pollution Management
• Occupational Health and Toxicology
• Waste Management and Landfill Design
• Public Health Studies
• Ground Improvement and Reinforcement

Modules available via Masters Programmes

Module Descriptors for modules within selected Masters programmes in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Please note that not all the modules listed via this link are available to be taken via Open Access, including those offered by other Departments. To check whether a module is offered via Open Access, please email here for futher details.



Application Guidelines

To apply for any Open Access postgraduate module, please click on the grey 'apply' button below for 'Part-time non-graduating civil engineering'. This is a general online application that covers all Open Access modules offered by the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering. Within the form you should select which module(s) you wish to apply for.

We are now accepting applications for September 2013 and January 2014 intakes for modules via Open Access. To apply for modules beginning in January select the link for that academic year - the preceding September intake.

If you make sufficient progress in your modules and you decide to build up your modules towards a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or eventually MSc, you may be transferred to the appropriate programme at a later stage.

Class times are provisional and will be confirmed at the start of the academic semester.