Falmouth University offers a wide array of fully online undergraduate and postgraduate courses designed to accommodate different lifestyles and professional goals.
What are the different kinds of online courses that you offer?
Falmouth University offers both undergraduate (Bachelor’s) and postgraduate (Master’s) online study. Both levels are taught 100% online and are fully flexible, enabling you to fit in your study around your work and life commitments.
Our online Bachelor’s degrees are accelerated: meaning they can be completed in just two years with full-time study, or three years with part-time study. Our online Master’s degrees are all part-time, enabling you to complete them over two years alongside any work or other commitments. We also offer an online Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education, which can be completed over just two study blocks (approximately nine months).
Falmouth University has a rich history in creative education—how have you translated this legacy into your online courses?
Falmouth University’s creative culture is not confined to campus. You can get the same level of teaching excellence and industry experience as our on-campus community, all while enjoying the flexibility of online study.
Advanced learning research underpins our course design, and courses are delivered through a bespoke virtual learning environment, known as Learn – a platform which has been crafted specifically for online tuition.
Through a combination of lectures, webinars, tutorials and collaborative work with other students, you’ll be encouraged to push your limits, explore your creativity and develop professional skills and expertise that make you ready for industry.
Natural Materials Workshop – BA Illustration Online © Felix Black
What sets Falmouth’s online degrees apart, compared to other universities offering distance learning programmes?
For over 120 years, we’ve been steering the course of the creative industries – and beyond. Since 2016 our online bachelor’s and master’s courses have given students the opportunity to take control of their future career, and develop their own creative, innovative talent.
Falmouth University was one of the first dedicated creative universities in the UK to be delivering degrees entirely online. Unlike many universities who pivoted to online study after the pandemic, we have been ahead of the curve in honing our craft for delivering premium, creative and collaborative distance learning. Our award-winning Learning Design team have developed our own Virtual Learning Environment – Learn, which utilises advanced learning research to ensure students’ experience replicates that of their on-campus contemporaries.
Our online courses also offer something unique; optional in-person events during your year of study. These are an incredible opportunity to meet your classmates, your academic team and network, as well as learn in a new setting. These events have in the past included festival visits, gallery workshops, guest speakers and more.
Finally, studying online at Falmouth doesn’t mean studying in isolation. Students are welcomed into the Falmouth University global community with access to the same student support, resources, and industry insights as our on-campus students. Our degrees do not say ‘online’; and our online students are invited to join the rest of the student body for (optional) graduation on our beautiful campus in Cornwall, south west England.
What types of students are your online degrees designed for, and how do these programmes accommodate their diverse needs?
The flexibility of online study enables students of all backgrounds, locations, and life stages to achieve their professional and personal ambitions. Our flexible admissions policy enables students who have been out of education for a while – or perhaps have a none-standard educational background – to return to study later in life; recognising that lived experiences and time in the workplace count towards academic achievement.
As our courses are ‘asynchronous’ (meaning you can access each week’s learning content at your pace) we can accommodate differing time zones, workloads, and family set-ups. We have many parents joining us who relish the chance to do something that feeds their creativity without the need to compromise their family commitments.
Karina Buskets – MA Fine Art Online © Kevin Moir
How are the online courses structured to fit around work, family, or other personal commitments?
Our lectures are pre-recorded and re-watchable, so you won’t have to worry about attending them live. Your course materials will be uploaded to the Virtual Learning Environment at the end of each week, giving you plenty of time to plan your workload for any upcoming studies.
The weight of your academic teaching will take place through lectures from practicing professionals and webinars where you can connect with your fellow students for stimulating discussions. Some webinars will be taught live, and recorded for students that can’t make the live session. This part of your studies takes place through our dedicated Virtual Learning Environment that allows you to connect with what’s being taught, ask questions and collaborate in your own time.
With the exception of optional webinars and optional in-person events, nothing has a scheduled time so you can complete the activity at times that suit you.
Can you tell us more about the Virtual Learning Environment and how it enhances the student experience?
We use digital tools to enable virtual studio space, collaboration and teamwork asynchronously all over the world. Our regular webinars are a place to consolidate knowledge, ask questions, get feedback on your work and discuss projects.
We use virtual studios, mind-mapping, visual storyboarding, reflective journals, videos and forums. These tools are designed into the course to be used when you are able to study. It doesn’t matter when you’re studying, you’ll be able to be part of the creative discussion, managed by our tutors, to explore new ideas and refine projects.
What opportunities do online students have to collaborate and connect with their fellow students and lecturers?
Here at Falmouth, we encourage open innovation throughout your online studies. This might mean participating in stimulating discussions with your fellow students or working together on projects to develop your teamwork skills. It’ll give you the chance to push each other’s creative boundaries and connect with your global learning community.
There are opportunities to feedback on creative outputs, we also offer optional face-to-face events and encourage students to network outside of the set webinar sessions to build their contacts and relationships.
Can you give examples of the practical, hands-on elements included in your online courses, particularly for creative disciplines?
It may be surprising to some, but studying a traditionally creative or practice-based degree translates just as well online as it does on-campus! Our online courses give you the support to excel, and the methods and means to do so, without having to leave your current practice.
As an example, if you are a sculptor who wishes to bring more contextualisation to your work, you may suit Fine Art MA Online. If you’re a filmmaker who’s looking for a step up and to engage with industry or get a script ready for submmission, then Film & Television MA can support you to do this. Our online degrees are focused on methods for you to support your own practice; whatever shape that may take.
Want to hear from a student? Meet Karina, a practice-based textile artist studying Fine Art MA Online.
Online Study – Sally and Al 2024 © Matt Jessop
What support services are available for online students to help them succeed academically and professionally?
While you’re studying with us, you’ll be supported academically by tutors and in all other ways by the Student Advisor team. Your tutor will offer continuous feedback on your work and be your first point of contact for any academic queries. They’ll run a weekly live session, usually in an evening, that you can either attend live or will be recorded so you can catch-up later if it doesn’t fit your schedule.
The Student Advisor team is on hand throughout your studies to answer questions and help you access any support you need. They’ll help you make the most of your online learning experience offering support via email, phone, WhatsApp and video meetings. It doesn’t matter how big or small your questions are: from money matters to mental health, building academic skills to accessibility, if you have a question that isn’t directly related to your course material then our Student Advisors are on hand to help.
You will also have access to our award-winning Employability Service from day one of your studies, right through to graduation and beyond: we give graduates lifelong employability support. You’ll have access to tools, resources and e-learning to help you realise your potential and excel in your career.
Photography MA Online – Photo Credit Charlotte Squire
How does Falmouth help online students build connections and networks within their chosen industries?
With industry links spanning the globe, we’re a hub not just of creative innovation, but a place that celebrates and supports collaboration and transdisciplinary work with real reach.
Our students get to connect with industry by tackling live briefs from real clients and hearing from sector leaders through our incredible guest lecture line-up. Our Employability service also supports industry links through career-shaping internships and events.
Whichever course you study, you’ll also be encouraged to tap into skills across the University to propel your learning and your portfolio.
Alongside encouraged open innovation, creativity and challenge-led learning, students can benefit from the insights and contacts of our lecturers who are all practicing professionals. Previous guest lecturers have ranged from comedy legends French and Saunders (MA Comedy Writing) to Viren Mistry – content and social director on Google and YouTube at Redwood (MA Marketing and Digital Communications).
Are there opportunities for online students to meet in person?
We offer optional annual in-person events for our online students. While they’re not essential, they’ll be an enhancement to your chosen course. They’re great opportunities to meet your peers and tutors and to explore course-related topics through additional activities and discussions. You’ll get the chance to hear from industry experts, offering a wider professional context for your learning and a deeper insight into your chosen industry.
These optional events are a unique element of Falmouth’s online experience; organised by the course teams, and hosted in a variety of different locations, they give our online students and staff the opportunity to cement the relationships developed while studying online, while taking part in cultural and creative events.
For example, read about our Writing for Script & Screen MA (Online) students learning from Sky Studio’s Head of Commissioning in Milan.
MA Illustration Online – Johnathan Scane
What career outcomes or success stories can you share from students who have completed a Falmouth online degree?
Our online graduates have gone on to forge exciting careers, win awards, and re-define the creative industries. Here are a few recent online graduates in the spotlight:
- Online Photography student named finalist in new industry talent award.
- Falmouth’s online Film & Television MA (Online) student filmmakers are scooping awards for their films left, right and centre.
- From designing merchandise for PJ Harvey to increasing engagement from young people with mental health support services, spotlight on Graphic Design MA (Online) graduate Max Bloom.
- Tim Bird: From lab technician to award-winning illustrator.
- Belinda Lees is a screenwriter, playwright, researcher and Writing for Script & Screen MA (Online) graduate.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering an online degree but is unsure whether it’s right for them?
- Talk to us! We appreciate studying online, whatever stage of life you’re at, may seem like a daunting prospect, but we are here to help. Our friendly Course Advisors are on hand to talk with you about any questions or concerns you may have, and to guide you through every stage: from choosing your course, to submitting your application. You can book a call with an advisor here.
- Attend an Event. As well as chatting with our Course Advisors, we offer online events throughout the year to give you a taste of what to expect. See our full range of events here .
- You can also chat directly with our student community. What better way to find out about life at Falmouth University than by asking our current students? From course details, to our online community and settling in, our students are ready and available to answer any questions you might have. Simply set up your account, send them a question and they’ll get back to you within 24 hours. Get chatting here .
Find out more about Falmouth University Online Courses on their website . Read more useful articles on the MumAbroad blog .
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