What to expect from Online (Distance) study
What are the start dates for your online programme?

Students studying GIS’ distinctive online Master’s degrees have the flexibility to study in multiple time zones. For the Europe and Africa and Americas time zones, the start date is September. For the Australasia time zone, the start date is January.

 

Will I need to travel?

No, our online course does not require you to travel as all support will be provided through the UCFB Online Hub. You have the option to attend the graduation ceremony when you graduate, but it is not compulsory.

To further enhance the learning experience of our online programmes around the world, there will be various touchpoints throughout the year for all students, including guest speaker sessions, networking opportunities and in-person events in each region including our Global Sports Summits at our hubs in Miami, New York, Atlanta, Toronto and Melbourne.

All students are also invited to the regular activities at our UK campuses in London and Manchester.

These optional activities will be at your own expense should you choose to attend.

How long does it take to complete the course?

Our Master’s courses can either be completed over one academic year full-time or over two academic years part-time.

How many hours a week do I need to study?

For our full-time Online MSc courses, it is expected that students will spend up to 30-35 hours per week on their studies. For part-time students it will be half this. The time you need to spend studying will depend on many variables including your previous academic experience and your technical expertise.

Is a work placement included as part of an online programme?

No, work placements are not part of our online courses. You will receive notifications about placement opportunities that are available for GIS students; however it is your decision whether this is something you apply for.

How flexible is a course?

Our courses are designed with working professionals in mind and allows for flexibility within a framework.

You can choose the days of the week and the times of the day you study to accommodate your other commitments; however, you must meet strict assessment submission deadlines. There will be live scheduled sessions over the duration of each module, however these will be recorded so you will not miss anything if you are unable to attend.

On all our Online MSc courses, you will study six modules throughout the Master's course – five core modules and one option. Three modules will be studied in Semester 1, two modules in Semester 2 and one module in Semester 3. The modules vary in length between 10-12 sessions with small breaks between semesters.

For even greater flexibility, our MSc International Sport Management (Online) and MSc Football Business (Online) programmes will be delivered in three time zones for the Americas, Europe and Africa, and Australasia. Our MSc Football Communications & Digital Marketing (Online) programme will also be available for both the Americas and Europe and Africa.

These live sessions will be delivered in the early evening for the GMT/BST and AEST/AEDT time zones and the early afternoon for the EST/EDT time zone.

Can I study on a tablet or my phone?

UCFB Online Hub is compatible with mobile devices, including tablets. However, you will need an internet connection in order to view the content as part of your course. UCFB also has an app which you can download from the app store on iOS and Android so that you can access content on the go. Simply search for ‘UCFB Online Hub’.

Is the learning content delivered online only?

Yes. All content and activities are delivered online through the UCFB Online Hub. If you need any support, clear guidance will be provided through your course and module leader. Our student services and academic administration teams are also on hand to deal with any queries you may have.

Is there group work involved?

You are encouraged to participate in forums as instructed by your module leader. You will also have the ability to message your course peers. Some assessments require students to work together in groups, your module leader will support you to identify students to work with in groups.

Will I be able to access Executive Guest Speaker sessions?

Guest talks from industry speakers may be available for you to view as part of a recorded video or live stream via our Global Insight Series, however these will be on a case by case basis.

To further enhance the learning experience of our online programmes around the world, there will be various touchpoints throughout the year for all students, including guest speaker sessions, networking opportunities and in-person events in each region including our Global Sports Summits at our hubs in Miami, New York, Atlanta, Toronto and Melbourne.

All students are also invited to the regular activities at our UK campuses in London and Manchester.

All of the above is available at the students’ own expense.

Are there opportunities to network as part of an online programme?

To further enhance the learning experience of our online programmes around the world, there will be various touchpoints throughout the year for all students, including guest speaker sessions, networking opportunities and in-person events in each region including our Global Sports Summits at our hubs in Miami, New York, Atlanta, Toronto and Melbourne.

All students are also invited to the regular activities at our UK campuses in London and Manchester.

All of the above is available at the students’ own expense.

Multiple Time Zone Delivery
Which time zones can I study a degree in?

From the 2021/22 academic year, our MSc International Sport Management (Online) and MSc Football Business (Online) programmes will be delivered in three time zones for the Americas, Europe and Africa, and Australasia. Our MSc Football Communications & Digital Marketing (Online) programme will also be available for both the Americas and Europe and Africa.

These live sessions will be delivered in the early evening for the GMT/BST and AEST/AEDT time zones and the early afternoon for the EST/EDT time zone.

When applying to study an online degree with GIS, you can choose to study in any of the available time zones to suit your schedule wherever you are in the world.

Can you jump from time zone to time zone within the same module or degree if you can't make a certain live seminar?

When applying to study an online degree with GIS, you can choose to study in any of the available time zones to suit your schedule wherever you are in the world. These live sessions will be delivered in the early evening for the GMT/BST and AEST/AEDT time zones and the early afternoon for the EST/EDT time zone. For added flexibility, students can also access recordings of these live sessions, and can opt to dial into an alternative time zone to suit their schedule.

Will the content in the live seminars be the same across the world, or will they be tailored for the local market?

The modules and learning outcomes are the same for all regions, however the context of the sessions will be adapted for each region.

Will live seminars be recorded if I can't make it to a live seminar?

When applying to study an online degree with GIS, you can choose to study in any of the available time zones to suit your schedule wherever you are in the world. For added flexibility, students can also access recordings of these live sessions, and can opt to dial into an alternative time zone to suit their schedule.

Can I access the recordings of all time zones?

Yes, all time zone recordings will be available via the Online Hub.

Will coursework deadlines and examination dates be the same across all time zones?

Coursework deadlines and examination dates will be set at one time and converted to the relevant time zone to ensure all students are submitting at the same time.

Can I network with people studying on other time zones?

Yes, you will have opportunities to work with GIS students across the world throughout the course.

To further enhance the learning experience of our online programmes around the world, there will be various touchpoints throughout the year for all students, including guest speaker sessions, networking opportunities and in-person events in each region including our Global Sports Summits at our hubs in Miami, New York, Atlanta, Toronto and Melbourne.

All students are also invited to the regular activities at our UK campuses in London and Manchester.

Accreditation awarding body and recognition
Are online degrees as good as a campus degree?

Yes. There is absolutely no distinction between the quality of the online and campus course. You can be assured that our online degrees have the same status as those awarded to graduates who studied on campus.

Will my degree certificate state that it was an online degree, completed via distance learning?

No. Your degree certificate will look the same as those awarded to students who studied on campus. There will be no reference to online on your degree certificate.

Can I graduate at GIS’ on-campus sites?

You can join other online students who will have the option to travel to UCFB Wembley to graduate with other GIS students. You will wear the same cap and gown as your campus students and take part in the same graduation ceremonies. It’s not compulsory to attend the graduation, it’s completely your decision. It’s perfectly fine to graduate without having to travel to UCFB Wembley and does not detract from the commitment, dedication and hard work you will have consistently demonstrated during your studies.

How studying online works
How does online study work?

With online study at GIS there are no fixed lecture times for the majority of the course, however we do feel it’s important to have some live sessions which will be factored into the module schedule and delivered at appointed times. These sessions will be recorded and made available in the UCFB Online Hub, so if you are unable to attend don’t worry. All the information will be available online for you.

Each module will require the completion of weekly activities set by your module leader as well as the submission of one to two assessments. You will be provided with live lecture notes, reading material and activities to check your learning and there will be plenty of chances for you to ensure your work is aligned with the module leaders’ expectations.

How will I be assessed?

There are no exams – you will be assessed based on each module assessment strategy, which will cover assignment submissions. You will also be assessed on a final applied project or dissertation which will provide you with the opportunity to explore a subject in more detail.

Assessments will be rigorous and your online degree will be every bit as challenging as a degree studied on campus.

What time are classes held?

Our classes will be delivered through a mixture of both pre-recorded and live taught lectures.

This means some of your classes will be scheduled by GIS and you will be notified in advance on the days that these will take place.

We feel it’s good to have a balance of both deliveries, however we are also aware that some people might not be able to attend the live lectures and as such these will be recorded and posted onto the UCFB Online Hub.

Will I have lots of deadlines?

Modules will have a maximum of two graded submissions, for which you will receive guidance throughout the module’s sessions, forum discussions or, in some instances, non-graded submissions. In order to allow adequate planning of your time, all submission deadlines will be shared at the beginning of a course and will be available in the UCFB Online Hub.

How long does a module take?

Modules will take between 10 to 12 sessions. Your final applied project or dissertation will be completed over a longer period of time as a more in-depth piece of work.

What equipment do I need?

The only things you will need to study online are:
An internet connection – you must have regular access to a reliable internet connection, preferably at your home.

A personal email address – although we will provide you with a UCFB email address, you will also need a second email address so that we have an alternative way to contact you if necessary. Ideally this should be a web based service like Hotmail or Gmail rather than a work email address.

A suitable computer, tablet or mobile device. Our Online Hub can be accessed through a web browser and we recommend using Google Chrome.

You will also need to be able to read and save Microsoft documents, read Abode Acrobat documents (PDFs) and have access to speakers so that you can listen to live lectures, recorded content and videos. You do not need to buy Microsoft Office as all UCFB students have access to this through Office 365.

Will I receive feedback on my progress?

Yes, plenty and regularly. There are a number of different ways you will receive feedback from your module leader. From forum participation to formative assessments, all of them will be pivotal for your learning as they will test your progress and help you get ready for the graded assessments.

Additionally, you will be encouraged to participate in group discussions in order to ensure there is a solid learning community from which you and your classmates will be able to benefit.

How often and how much will students interact with the instructor and other students?

As part of the UCFB Online Hub, students will have access to contact their module leader and where necessary their peers. Students will be able to interact with the module leader through live lectures, forums and tutorials.

The latter will be delivered either individually or in groups and can be organised by module leaders for a range of reasons: from checking progress or covering specific content.

To further enhance the learning experience of our online programmes around the world, there will be various touchpoints throughout the year for all students, including guest speaker sessions, networking opportunities and in-person events in each region including our Global Sports Summits at our study hubs in Miami, New York, Atlanta, Toronto and Melbourne.

All students are also invited to the regular activities at our UK campuses in London and Manchester.

We are fully committed to ensuring an optimal learning experience and supporting you during every step of your learning journey.

Can I take a break from study if I need to?

There may be situations where there is a change in a student’s personal circumstances or illness which could make it difficult for them to continue with their studies. Should this occur an interruption of studies may be considered however our academic team will go through this process with you to provide you with your options.

Support for students
What support is available?

There will be a variety of support available to you from making your first enquiry through to your graduation:

Our knowledgeable Future Students and Admissions teams will be able to guide you through the application process, making sure you understand what to do and how to apply;

Before you start studying we will provide you with an online course that introduces you to the UCFB Online Hub and how to use it;

Our dedicated support teams will help you make the most of the functions available to you and guide you through your course;

You will also have module leaders who will provide you with feedback on your assignments to help you monitor your progress.

Who do I contact for technical support?

You will be able to contact our technical support team through the UCFB Online Hub. You will also have access to a list of handy technical FAQs to help you with common queries.

Can I join the Athletic Union and Students’ Union?

Yes. If you are able to attend student events and social/athletic clubs at any UCFB UK campus, you are welcome to join.

Can I meet someone to discuss the course?

You can contact our Future Students Team by clicking here if you have any questions. Let us know if you’d like to come onto campus in person to meet someone to discuss the course. You are also welcome to come along to one of our Master's Open Evenings, for more information. Click here to book onto an Open Evening.

The UCFB Online Hub
Who do I contact for technical support?

You will be able to contact our technical support team through the UCFB Online Hub. You will also have access to a list of handy technical FAQs to help you with common queries.

Can I meet someone to discuss the course?

You can contact our Future Students Team by clicking here if you have any questions. Let us know if you’d like to come onto campus in person to meet someone to discuss the course. You are also welcome to come along to one of our Master's Open Evenings, for more information. Click here to book onto an Open Evening.

What are the technical requirements?

General technical requirements for using UCFB’s Online Hub include:

• A personal device such as laptop, tablet or mobile device running a compatible web browser;
• A connection to the Internet;
• Speakers or headphones to hear audio from a computer.

When considering an Online Degree course with UCFB students should refer to the Technical requirements below. Note: Technical requirements are subject to change.

Internet Access

Students are responsible for their own Internet access, and a high-speed connection is highly recommended.

You can test your internet connection by using a free online speed test such as the one below:

https://www.speedtest.net/

Browsers

Online learning and live lectures are accessible using the following recommended browser: Google Chrome

How to I access my course and modules?

When you join GIS you will be given information on how to access your course along with the Modules included.

Tracking your work

You can track your progress by ticking the box on the page as indicated in the example below. Some progress does however require an action so if you do not complete the activity then this cannot be set as complete.

You will have your own Dashboard, where you can track how you are progressing on activities within each module against the specific activities that you need to complete. The completion is tracked as a percentage as shown below.

Assignment submission

As part of the course you will need to submit assignments for each module, of which you can track your progress within our Gradebook. This will show the weighting of the submission, your grade and feedback from your Module Leader.

Tracking your work

You can track your progress by ticking the box on the page as indicated in the example below. Some progress does however require an action so if you do not complete the activity then this cannot be set as complete.

You will have your own Dashboard, where you can track how you are progressing on activities within each module against the specific activities that you need to complete. The completion is tracked as a percentage as shown below.

Assignment submission

As part of the programme you will need to submit assignments for each module, of which you can track your progress within our Gradebook. This will show the weighting of the submission, your grade and feedback from your Module Leader.

Fees and payments
How can I pay my tuition fees?

UCFB has teamed up with Western Union Business Solutions GlobalPay for Students to give a simple, reliable way to pay for your tuition fees. You can pay in your home currency, with no hidden bank charges. The funds are paid directly to UCFB. Both International and EU students can take advantage of this service.

To access Western Union, click here.

There are several other ways of paying your tuition fees, including credit/debit cards, PayPal or by wired transfer.

For more information, please email fees@ucfb.com.

Are scholarships, grants or discounts available?

Scholarships are not available. If you are concerned about your ability to fund your studies please contact our Admissions Team for advice.

Do I need to order textbooks?

All core text books for the programme can be accessed through UCFB online e-book solutions which can be accessed at any time through the UCFB Online Hub.

Can I pay in instalments?

Yes, it is possible to pay in instalments. Please take a look at our tuition fee payment due dates for the upcoming academic year here. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please email us at fees@ucfb.com.

Can I apply for a student loan?

A Master's loan of up to £10,609 can help with course fees while you study a Master's course. Click here for more information.

What are the costs involved in visiting global hubs?

Cost of each GIS Global Summit will be free to all UCFB and GIS students and alumni, however all attendees will be responsible for paying travel, accommodation and sustenance. GIS is partnering with travel and accommodation providers to try to make Global Summits as affordable as possible for students and alumni.

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