Being a University of London External Student

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Ways of studying

Students who register with the University of London External System have the freedom to choose the way in which they study; only Diploma in Economics| and Diploma in Social Sciences| students are required to attend a local teaching institution.

Studying independently

Many students choose to study independently, either working completely on their own at home, or studying in small groups or with a tutor. Some study independently for part of the time, but attend classes at a local institution for some subjects.

To succeed as an independent student, you will need to:

• be strongly motivated, well-organised, focused and determined
• take full and active responsibility for organising your work and pacing yourself
• be prepared to devote over 20 hours per week on a regular basis to your studies
• have the support from your family, friends and colleagues.

Studying at an institution

All University of London External students, studying by themselves or at an institution, must register with the University of London.

An increasing number of University of London External students enrol in full-time, part-time or online courses provided by teaching institutions. Any institution may decide to teach the degree programmes and does not require the permission of the University of London or LSE to do so. LSE cannot take responsibility for the quality of teaching at these institutions. However, in most cases, LSE is aware of these institutions and encourages them to maintain high standards of teaching.

If you study at a local institution you should expect to spend time in lectures and seminars, spread out over the study period. Some of this time may be spent in small groups of students, where you will be encouraged to discuss with the tutor or lecturer questions raised in lectures and go through assignments and exercises. You may also be asked to give class presentations which you have prepared yourself. Correspondence or online teaching will offer you a different kind of study experience, which might include submission of assignments for marking or online lectures.

If you decide to enrol at a local institution, you must still apply to, and register with the University as a University of London External student. You should apply to the University and wait for confirmation that you are eligible to register before enrolling with an institution. It is a good idea to explore what is available to you locally and the costs involved before submitting your application to the University. A checklist| is available to help you before enrolling with an institution. The University of London External System website has a list of institutions that are actively teaching University of London External System degrees, see teaching institutions|.

University of London External System Examinations

Standards

All examination papers for University of London External students are set and marked in London to University of London standards. All examinations papers are marked by two Examiners who are appointed by the University of London on LSE's recommendation, and are externally examined from outside the University. Each full unit is assessed by one three-hour unseen written examination, although for four units a project or coursework also counts towards the assessment. Undergraduate degrees are awarded with First Class Honours, Upper Second Class Honours, Lower Second Class Honours or Third Class Honours. If you do not qualify for Honours, you may be awarded a Pass degree.

Examination centres

Examinations are usually held worldwide in May and June each year at a number of centres in the United Kingdom and most countries throughout the world. A full list of examination centres| in the UK and overseas can be found at the University of London External System site.

Preparation

The examination papers and Examiners' commentaries for the past three years are available to External students. You need to download these from the VLE (once you are registered) or from the examination resources area| of the University of London External System website. These materials can help you plan your study and prepare for your examinations.

Transcripts

You can ask for an official transcript of your examination results at any stage during or after your studies, but most students want this information when they graduate. Further information is available on the transcripts page| of the University of London External System website

Exemption from examinations

An exemption means that you are not required to take a particular unit, or units, as part of your degree because, in the University's opinion, you have already covered a similar syllabus as part of a previous qualification.  More information can be found on the exemptions page| on the University of London External System website, or in their prospectus which you can view online| or request that a copy is sent to you|.

Study materials and additional support

Wherever you are, and however you choose to study, you will be given a study pack to support your learning. These materials are specially written by academics at the University of London and LSE with distance-learning students in mind. The cost is included in your initial and continuing registration fees.

What you will receive

• Strategies for success, an academic and study skills handbook.
• A Student handbook containing advice on practical queries such as making an examination entry, using libraries and bookshops and budgeting for your studies.
• Subject guides for each unit studied. These guides introduce you to topics within the syllabus. The guides show you how to use textbooks in an organised and productive manner. The first four chapters of most subject guides are available online on the subject guide page of the University of London website.
• Past examination papers and Examiners' commentaries. The Examiners' commentaries provide an insight into how individual questions should have been tackled and common mistakes made by students in the past. The past papers enable you to practice for your examinations. These are also put onto the examination resources area of the University of London website as soon as they are available.
• Regulations containing full details of important information such as syllabuses, structures, fees, entering for examinations and degree classification criteria (as appropriate).

Sociology with Law, Accounting with Law/Law with Accounting and Management with Law/Law with Management students also receive:

• Studying English law with the University of London (an introductory guide to the basics of common law legal systems).
• One copy of the core textbook if you studying any of the four Intermediate Law subjects.
• Study packs containing key readings for all the core subjects and selected options.
• Learning skills for law containing advice on study skills, developing English language and legal English skills, reading cases and statutes and guidance on exam technique.
• Recent developments in law booklets, to make sure you are up to date with developments in each subject as of February of the current year and give details of any new editions of textbooks.

Textbooks

You will need to provide your own textbooks; they will be the real focus of your studies. It is a good idea to consider the facilities available locally to you, and how accessible books are likely to be before registering.

The Student Portal and Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

As soon as you have registered you will be sent a University of London username and password which will allow you to log in to the University of London Student Portal|. This does not allow you to access resources on the LSE network. Once you are logged in you will be able to access your University of London email account and two other key resources:

The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) contains additional resources to support and enhance your studies such as:

• electronic copies of all the materials in the study pack to allow you flexibility in how and where you study
• recorded interviews with academics who designed the units and teach similar ones at LSE
• recorded academic lectures or presentations for some units
• study skill lectures and advice on getting started with your studies
• activities designed so that you can test your progress and understanding
• discussion areas where you can discuss academic or social topics with your fellow students
• alerts to new resources and important news items
• access to the dedicated VLE for laws students if you are registering for a law unit.

University of London library

Registered External students are entitled, while living in or visiting the UK, to use the University Library. The library charges for this service. For more information contact the University of London see www.ull.ac.uk|.

LSE Library

Registered University of London External students have access to the LSE Library free of charge. Further information can be found on the LSE Library website|.

Other libraries

Registered University of London External students may be able to use other university or local libraries both in the United Kingdom and overseas. The University of London will provide a certificate of registration to students on request if the library requires it.

Scholarships

Information for 2009-10

Two LSE External Study postgraduate scholarships are awarded annually to students who have successfully completed one of the degrees or a Diploma for Graduates in Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences as University of London External students, and who have also been accepted for postgraduate study at LSE. To qualify, students will normally have, or expect to have, a first class honours degree or distinction in the Diploma for Graduates from the University of London External System. These scholarships cover full fees and maintenance.

To apply, please notify the LSE External Study office of your interest - include your full name, University of London student ID number, title of postgraduate course at LSE and LSE application number.

If you are applying to study at LSE and require information about funding your studies, please visit the School's Financial Support Office| website.