Essential Information

They are both ways of taking a module without working towards a qualification.  The main difference between taking a module for audit and taking one for credit is that those taking a module for credit complete all the assessments associated with the module and receive a mark and feedback at the end. See the questions below for further details about auditing and crediting.

• Auditing a module means that you attend and listen to the lectures and discussions.
• Normally this means not being able to ask questions or participate in classroom discussions; however, at the individual lecturer's discretion and invitation, you may be able to participate.
• Out of class readings, which are almost always available to auditors on Acorn, Oak Hill’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), aren't required for auditors but can help you get the most out of the module.
• Auditors gain automatic access to our digital library of resources including those which are listed as readings in modules. If you would like to borrow books and access our large collection of materials on site you can join the library for an additional fee of £35 for the year in which you are auditing.  If you join the library for any subsequent year when you are not studying, the annual fee is currently £70.
• Auditors may not submit any of the assessments for the module.
• For the Summer Intensive modules, as for other modules, the reading associated with the module is optional for auditors.  The reading will cover the period before, during and after the teaching period.  For a 10 credit module the pre-reading will be approximately 15-20 hours in the two weeks prior to the intensive teaching period; for a 20 credit module the pre-reading will be approxiamately 30-40 hours in the two weeks prior to the intensive teaching period.

• Crediting a module means you engage more deeply and consolidate your learning by doing assessments.
• As a creditor, you attend lectures, take part in classroom discussions and seminars, complete all the assessments and receive a mark and feedback at the end of the module.
• Creditors automatically gain access to our library of resources, which includes all the digital library resources which are linked to from the modules as well as our physical library. You will be given an induction into both areas.
• The total number of hours of study varies according to the credit rating of the module.  Within Higher Education, it is generally understood that 1 credit = 10 hours of study, shared between class time, pre-class reading, private study and assessment. This means that, for example, a 10 credit module = 100 hours of study.  In-class learning involves lectures, seminars, discussions, worked examples and presentations. Out-of-class study involves reading, reflecting, researching, writing assignments, group projects and revision for exams.
• For the Summer Intensive modules this works out in practice as follows:
  • The teaching and learning will comprise 4 elements:
    • pre-reading before the module begins- approximately 15-20 hours for a 10 credit module, or 30-40 hours for a 20 credit module, in the two weeks prior to the start of the intensive teaching period
    • time-tabled classroom-based learning – approximately 20 hours for a 10 credit module and 40 hours for a 20 credit module.
    • private study during other hours, during the 2-week period – approximately 20 hours for a 10 credit module and 40 hours for a 20 credit module
    • assessment preparation time once the teaching period ends – approximately 30-40 hours for a 10 credit module and 60-80 hours for a 20 credit module.
  • Overall, across these 4 elements, 10 credit modules assume up to 100 hours of study, and a 20 credit module up to 200 hours of study, but, in practice, we try not to reach these limits.
  • The pre-module reading will be provided after you've received details of your Oak Hill email account and have access to Acorn (see below).
  • After the intensive teaching period the deadline for you will need to set aside sufficient time (as above) for completing your assessment(s) by the deadline of 18 August 2023. 
• Once you’ve successfully completed the module, you also receive nationally recognised, transferable credits.  Provisional module grades will be issued and you will then receive notification of your ratified mark and credits after the relevant Assessment Board: 
  • for Semester 1 modules: January 2023 Board
  • for Semester 2/year-long modules: June 2023 Board
  • for Summer Intensive modules: January 2024 Board. 
• Both sets of results will be issued to your Oak Hill email address (see question below for further details).
• The price for crediting includes the relevant Middlesex University registration fee.

Yes you do. 

Our lecture rooms at College have been set up for in-person and via Zoom attendance.  When you apply you will be asked to specify whether you want to take the module in person at Oak Hill or live via Zoom.  

To enable us to plan effectively for the delivery of modules here at College, please note the following:

• If you select to take a module via Zoom, you are not able later to change your mind and take it in person. 
• Normally it is not possible to switch mode after application and prior to the start of or during the teaching period for the module.  An exception may be made if you need to switch from in person to Zoom.  Please contact the Admissions Office as soon as possible in this scenario. 

Taking a module via Zoom means you join the live class via a Zoom link feeding directly from the class happening at Oak Hill.   This means that whether you are attending in person or via Zoom, you need to be available for the timetabled hours for the module for the whole teaching period.  

Every effort will be made to ensure synchronous access, but we cannot guarantee the absence of any technical difficulties. In that event, all necessary content will be provided as soon as it is possible.

A small number of Level 4, 5 and 6 modules have prerequisites i.e. modules that need to be taken before that particular module may be done. For those auditing it is for guidance only.  

All the postgraduate modules have the prerequisite of a BA (Hons) degree in Theology, whether the module is taken for audit or credit; the module 'Issues in Pastoral Counselling' allows for an alternative prerequisite - please see the individual module page for details.

'Level of study' gives you an indication of where the module is pitched:

• Level 4 = CertHE, which is the equivalent of year 1 of an undergraduate degree.
• Level 5 = DipHE, which is the equivalent of year 2 of a undergraduate degree.
• Level 6 = BA (Hons)-level.  Modules at this level are taught in the expectation that you already have experience of theological study (normally a Foundation Degree or Diploma of Higher Education).  If you’re taking one of these modules as a creditor, you’ll be expected to engage in discussion, give seminar presentations and write essays at the appropriate academic level. 
• Level 7 = Masters-level. Modules at this level are taught with the expectation that you have completed a BA (Hons) degree in Theology (and this is the prerequisite for these modules).  

‍Flexible Learners may take up to a maximum of two modules across the two semesters, plus one module in the Summer Intensive period, regardless of credit rating, and whether for audit or credit.

Ideally, you might want to apply for modules you wish to take across the year at the same time, but you can also apply for Semester 2 and Summer Intensive modules nearer the time.  See the relevant closing dates for applications.

Yes, if you want to credit a module, you will need to satisfy the College that you have a sufficient command of spoken and written English to meet the demands of the module. 

This is the same requirement as for entry to the undergraduate programme which means having GCSE English grade C or above/4-9 or the Academic IELTS with an overall score of 7.0 and no less than 6.5 in any particular category. 

For a list of alternatives, and details of how to claim exemption, please see here.

Yes, all Flexible Learners are given an Oak Hill email account shortly before the module starts.  This enables you to have access to Acorn, the College’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), where you will find the information you need to know, as well as the page for your chosen module(s) on the Learning Hub. 

The module page is where you will find the learning materials for the module, and, closer to the start of the module, the Zoom link if you are taking the module via Zoom. 

You will also receive via your Oak Hill email account communication from the module tutor, other College communication including the invoice for your module, and, for those crediting, your provisional and confirmed results.  You will be expected to check this account regularly.

Your email account and access to Acorn will be closed after the module ends on the following dates.  

• Semester 1 Auditors:  Friday 6 January 2023
• Semester 2 Auditors: Monday 5 June 2023
• Summer Intensive Auditors: Monday 31 July 2023
• Creditors: your account will be closed approximately 2 weeks after your official results have been issued following the relevant Assessment Board.  Assessment Boards take place in late January and late June each year and results are issued approximately 2-3 weeks after the Board meeting.  

For Semester 1 and Semester 2 modules, invoices will be issued after the second teaching week of the semester that the module starts in.  If you decide to withdraw from the module after the second teaching week, you will be invoiced for the full amount.

For a Summer Intensive module, invoices will be issued on the second day of teaching. If you decide to withdraw from the module after the end of the first day of teaching, you will be invoiced for the full amount. 

Invoices will be sent to your Oak Hill email account plus any other email address you have specified to us.