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| Certificate in Railway Studies by Distance Learning |
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Introduction
The Certificate in Railway Studies by Distance Learning is designed for people who would like to deepen an existing interest in the history and development of railways or who would like to develop a historical approach to the study of how transport affects society.
As a Distance Learning course, the Certificate in Railway Studies will suit students who cannot attend seminars in York but who have the time (estimated at an average of approx. 12 hours per week) and ability to self-motivate in order to undertake studies at home.
The course is designed to be of interest to students of almost any academic background - including those with no educational qualifications. It is a two-year, part-time programme at QAA Level H taught, through supported distance learning, by the Institute of Railway Studies & Transport History.
The Institute is run jointly by the University of York and the National Railway Museum. Students are registered with the University, and the Certificate course is governed by the University's regulations.
We are now recruiting for October 2011, and are accepting applications for October 2012.
The first year of the Certificate in Railway Studies is made up of two compulsory and one optional modules that are studied, one at a time, through the three terms of the first year. The modules are:
Compulsory modules:
- British Railway History to circa 1900
- Railway History: the Twentieth Century - which takes the story up to the era of privatization.
Both modules emphasize the social, political and economic background to the emergence and development of the railway, its business and the communities it serves.
Optional modules:
Selection of one from the following:
- The History of Urban Transport
- Putting Transport on Display - transport in museums and as heritage
Teaching materials
Teaching Books and other course materials are provided for all modules. Students are expected, during the course of their studies, to consult other books and journals so it may be worth locating a good local library that will offer Inter-Library Loan facilities. Through membership of the University of York library you may be able to have access to a local University library. In addition, many railway history books can be found in second-hand bookshops or with on-line book sellers.
At the end of each of the three modules taken during the first year you will be asked to write a 2000-word essay which will be assessed.
If you pass this coursework, you may continue to the second year to take the second stage of the course. This consists of the preparation of an individual research paper of about 8,000 words on an (agreed) subject of your choice.
If the Certificate in Railway Studies by Distance Learning is passed at an appropriate level, students may be eligible for consideration to continue to a Master's degree (normally taught) offered by the IRS&TH.
Tutors are available during the academic terms throughout the two years of the course to offer advice and assistance on any part of the programme. They will guide and assess students' work and provide feedback on progress. All students receive full details of how to keep in contact with tutors.
Although the course is rated as a Graduate Certificate, to apply for the course you do not require previous academic experience, although we will be interested in your educational and employment background. Previous academic qualifications, on the other hand, are not counted as a disadvantage! The course is designed to be flexible and to respond to individual interests and requirements. A short essay (500-1000 words) is assigned as part of the application process to assess your approach to and ability for this type of study.
It is important to bear in mind that although help, guidance and encouragement will always be available from the programme tutors, a distance-learning course requires that students work a great deal in isolation, and demands considerable self-discipline and self-motivation.
If you already hold a master's degree or a good honours degree in a relevant subject then you might like to think about applying for the MA in Railway Studies by research or by independent study and research. This can be taken either on a full-time or part-time basis. Suitably qualified graduates can also be registered directly for the research degrees of MPhil/PhD.
Full details of the fees payable for graduate study at the University of York are available from the University Graduate Schools Office. (This is a two-year part-time 'non-standard' course.) Please note that course fees are subject to change in future years. The course will take two years so the student will be liable to be charged for two years fees for the complete qualification.
To apply for admission to the Certificate in Railway Studies by Distance Learning, simply complete the web based Online application form and if there are any problems please contact the History Graduate Office, The Department of History, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD; phone 01904 322961; fax 01904 322986 (international: phone 44 1904 322961; fax 44 1904 322986).
[Please note that, when filling in the form, you do not need - for this course - to respond to questions concerning references or qualifications. However, we do require an example of written work: a short essay (500 to 1000 words) explaining the nature of your interest in railways, why railway history is important and why this course is important to you. More details can be obtained from the contact point below]
The next teaching session for the Certificate in Railway Studies by Distance Learning commences in October 2011. Applications can be accepted for October 2012 if places are not available on the Certificate for this year.
For further information on all aspects of the Certificate programme, please contact:
Dr Jill Murdoch
Institute of Railway Studies & Transport History
Department of History
University of York
Heslington
York YO10 5DD
E-mail: jill.murdoch@york.ac.uk
Certificate in Transport History | academic programme
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