Astronomy By Distance Learning

We run a selection of life-long learning courses that can be taken by students who do not have any specialist scientific or mathematical background. These are multimedia courses taught using a variety of media such as interactive CD-ROM material, videos, DVDs, websites, online astronomy newsgroups and photographic plate material. These courses are taken as part time distance learning courses, you do not need to attend any on-site classes.

We currently offer 10 courses by distance learning:

• Exploring the Universe - an Introduction to Astronomy
  (starts October and April of each year) 24 Credit course
• Galaxies
  (starts February of each year) 12 Credit Course
• The Universe Through a Small Telescope
  (starts December and June of each year) 12 Credit Course
• Astronomy for Teaching
  (can be taken from September to February) 12 Credit Course
• Planetary Atmospheres
  (starts July of each year) 12 Credit Course
• Modern Cosmology and the Distant Universe
  (starts May of each year) 12 Credit Course
• The Universe Through A Large Telescope
  (starts July of each year) 24 Credit Course
• The Science of Science Fiction
  (starts March of each year) 12 Credit Course
• Planetary Geology
  (starts November of each year) 12 Credit Course
• Stars
  (starts September of each year) 12 Credit Course
• Gamma Ray Bursts
  (starts May of each year) 12 Credit Course
• Exoplanets
  (starts late Autumn 2010) 12 Credit Course

Qualification:
Certificate of Professional Development - which can be used for credit towards courses at this and other universities.

Certificate of Higher Education
The Certificate of Higher Education in Astronomy is a qualification designed for non-specialists who have a strong interest in the subject of astronomy. You will need to have completed between 48 and 90 credits of astronomy modules before you can enrol on this course. A Certificate of Higher Education will be awarded upon the successful completion of 120 credits. This programme is designed to allow you to use some short courses from other institutions, such as the Universities of Manchester and Central Lancashire or the Open University, towards this qualification.

Cost for courses (valid for courses starting before August 2011):

Single module (12 credit) courses cost £135 (EU resident) or £270 (non EU resident) and double module (24 credit) courses cost £270 (EU resident) or £540 (non EU resident). These fees are inclusive of a bursary from Liverpool John Moores University. The fees include all course materials, computer software, and tutor support.

The fees must be paid before the start of the course. Fee remission may be available for UK resident students who are in receipt of benefits and do not have a first degree.

If the course is not appropriate please return the course materials within 14 days and you will be entitled to a full refund.

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Information for Students in the London Area

In collaboration with the Royal Observatory Greenwich, we can now offer some special support for students studying some of our courses.

"Stars" and "Galaxies" courses:
You can now take these courses with support from special weekly classes at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich (ROG) led by a professional university lecturer. Students have access to the state-of-the art Peter Harrison Planetarium and the historic 28" Refracting Telescope. There is, of course, an additional charge for these classes on top of the registration fee for the courses. To find out more about the opportunities at ROG, have a look at this webpage.

The Universe Through a Small Telescope:
We offer an alternate version of this course which begins with an observing evening at the Royal Observatory Greenwich (ROG). This version of the course can only be taken in Decemeber, and not June. If you would like information about this version of the course, please see here.

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You can read some of the comments from students who have completed our courses here.