Distance Learning HomeOur Distance Learning Courses Admission Criteria and Fees Certificate and Diploma ModulesCourse Information
WHAT MAKES OUR COURSES SPECIAL:
» The distinction of our specialist teachers and twenty years of experience in offering Orthodox Christian studies.
» A team of well-trained, experienced and friendly Tutors, who are always there to accompany the students during their academic journey.
» We offer our courses on the Moodle platform which is favoured by leading providers of distance-learning at university level.
» The distinction of our specialist teachers and twenty years of experience in offering Orthodox Christian studies.
» A team of well-trained, experienced and friendly Tutors, who are always there to accompany the students during their academic journey.
» We offer our courses on the Moodle platform which is favoured by leading providers of distance-learning at university level.
CAN I ENROL AS AN ‘AUDITOR’?We recognise that students do not always want to write essays, pass examinations or gain a paper certificate.
Many hope to improve their knowledge of Orthodox theology and practice, but are not preparing for the priesthood or lay ministry. They enrol simply out of interest or for personal development. We welcome these students, whether Orthodox or from another religious background.
Any student can follow our Certificate/Diploma courses via two pathways: one pathway is ‘academic’ and it requires students to write essays at the end of the module for which they receive marks and credits; the other pathway is ‘non-academic’ (sometimes referred to as ‘the pastoral pathway’ or ‘auditing’) for which no essays are required. As all students receive personal tutorship during their studies (including the ones following the non-academic path) the fees are the same for both categories of students.
Students usually choose one of these pathways at the beginning of the course and let the tutor know of their choice, so that they may receive appropriate tutorship. To start as an ‘auditor’ only is a good way to ‘taste and see’. You can always take modules for credit at a later date.
WHAT DOES MY CERTIFICATE / DIPLOMA LEAD TO?
Your IOCS-validated Certificate/Diploma will be regarded as a qualification in Orthodox Church circles. The Certificate/Diploma courses are not university courses and their credits cannot be transferred to other university programmes, though they may constitute an advantage in certain cases, when applying for post-graduate or research programmes. These degrees are not equivalent to nor can it substitute a BA course in theology. Past graduates have used our Certificate and Diploma mostly for enriching their knowledge of Orthodoxy, but also – in certain cases – for applying for university courses or in view of their ordination.