The world is fast becoming a digital-focussed society with blended (or hybrid) working now a permanent feature for many businesses globally. The ability to effectively study in a blended learning environment will help you succeed in the workforce and enhance your career prospects.

For those who are looking to combine studying a degree with work or caring responsibilities, blended learning also offers a solution combining both online and in-person learning.

Our approach to blended learning combines timetabled live online learning with timetabled face-to-face on-campus sessions. We have designed this approach following student feedback to offer the best of both live online and on-campus learning opportunities. 

Blended learning offers students greater opportunities to interact with tutors and classmates, build friendships and a sense of community, as well as the flexibility to balance study alongside other commitments.

The benefits of blended learning:

  • Study full-time whilst balancing work and family commitments
  • Cost and time in travelling to campus is reduced
  • Live online sessions allow for real-time interaction and engagement during your class
  • Watch recordings of live online sessions back when preparing for assessments
  • Experience a vibrant campus community, access the study facilities and support services whilst making friends and connections
  • Enhance your employability by demonstrating you successfully studied in a blended learning environment as part of your degree – a key requirement in today’s digitally focussed businesses

Working virtually is an important aspect of professional life and active participation and engagement in online lectures provides excellent opportunities to practice your digital soft skills in areas including collaboration, teamwork and communication. These are all important skills for many career areas and highly valued by employers.

In the same way as in many workplaces, it’s important that you give your full attention during the online sessions so you can get the maximum benefit for your learning and development.

You’ll be expected to actively participate and engage in online classes, delivered over Webex (a videoconferencing platform), this involves:

  • having your camera on* for the session
  • responding to questions and instructions from your lecturers
  • using the online chat function, reaction buttons and microphone as necessary
  • actively contributing to breakout sessions, including having your camera on*

If there are any occasions where you are unable to fully engage with the online class due to unforeseen circumstances, it’s important to inform your lecturer.

* Webex has a background feature you can use if you wish to hide the environment you’re in from view. Self-view can also be turned off if you find your own webcam footage distracting. For students who may have neurodiversity or disability considerations that affect their ability to have their camera on – our Welfare Team are available to support and make any necessary provisions.

  

You will need:

  • a reliable internet connection to access your live online sessions and learning resources.
  • access to a computer (desktop/laptop) that is less than 5 years old
  • speakers/headphones/earbuds for listening to audio or video presentations
  • a webcam – lots of laptops will have these inbuilt

The live online sessions can be accessed via smartphone, but we recommended that you have access to a laptop or a PC for ease of use, joining class discussions and completing assessments. If you have any queries or concerns around the equipment you plan to use, please contact our very helpful ACE Team for advice via email – ACELDN@qa.com.

You will be given access to Microsoft Office 365 once you are registered on your programme, free of charge.

Timetables are made available in advance of semester start to help facilitate planning your schedule. It is important to attend both live online sessions and face-to-face on-campus learning, engagement is essential for success and progression on your course.

Daytime students

If you are a daytime student, you will typically have 2 days of tuition per week your sessions will be on-campus for 1 of those days and the other day will take place online.

Evening and weekend students

Evening and weekend blended timetables will typically follow one of the below patterns each week with the pattern staying the same for the whole semester:

  • 2 evenings live online and weekend day face-to-face on-campus, or
  • 2 evenings face-to-face on-campus and 1 weekend day live online

Weekend students

If you are a weekend student, you will typically have face-to-face sessions on Saturday and online sessions on Sunday.

Yes, you can access our support services both on-campus and online, including outside of your timetabled days.

This includes appointments with the following teams:

  • ACE Team
  • Student Welfare Team
  • Student Finance Team
  • Student Futures and Careers Team

Your tutors will also be available for appointments if you would like to talk through any of your modules, ask questions, discuss assignments etc. Please email your tutor to arrange these.

No. Our approach to blended learning involves timetabled live online learning and timetabled face-to-face on-campus learning. Attendance at all sessions, live online and in the classroom, is compulsory with attendance taken and followed up in line with our attendance policy. As a result, eligibility for maintenance loans is not impacted.