| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-18 | - |
| 2023-05-02 | - |
| 2023-09-26 | 2023-07-17 |
| 2024-01-16 | - |
Program Overview
Course overview
We offer bespoke HSK training course for those who wish to get specialised learning and support to provide you with a systematic preparation for the tests based upon the features and curriculum of HSK.
This course offers specific targeted teaching of the language and skills tested in the HSK examinations.
Mandarin Level Assessment
This is not a beginner's course. You must have your level assessed before attending class. Assessment is a free and informal session with one of our Mandarin teachers.
It is important that all prospective students contact us before enrolling, to be assessed and determine the appropriate level for the course.
Why Study this Course?
This course is offered to anyone who is interested in preparing to take HSK examinations.
This course is ideal for those who would like to get some formal qualification of Chinese Fluency and need extra preparation or teaching towards this.
Our teacher will take you through the basics needed to sit the exams, tailored to your level and needs, which will build confidence and assistance for you to get the result.
Course Timings
Please contact to discuss HSK course bookings.
Disability Support
We are committed to providing reasonable teaching adjustments for students with disabilities that may impact on their learning experience. If you require adjustments, please complete the relevant section on the booking form and also contact us we can respond to your requests as soon as possible.
Please note our short courses sell-out quickly, so early booking is advisable.
Program Outline
Course content
Genealogical, Palaeographic & Heraldic Studies is offered at three levels. Our flexible learning programme allows you to work through each level of study, as follows:
Postgraduate Certificate classes
Postgraduate Diploma classes
MSc class
Professional Practice & Methodologies
This session provides a context for genealogical practice in a wide variety of environments. You'll progress with a common level of knowledge and understanding of key concepts and practice, including:
Repositories, Geography & Administration
You'll be given a grounding in the use of record and archival sources, physical and online, including genealogical literature and where to find it (catalogues of printed and manuscript genealogies and pedigrees; indexes and directories, etc). Also discussed are:
Civil & Church Records
This class is a systematic foundation in the use of various sources, including birth, marriage, death and census records from across the United Kingdom.
Census substitutes (poll books, electoral rolls, valuation and taxation assessments and subsidy lists, poor law registers, etc) and ecclesiastical records (OPR, parish registers, bishops' transcripts, Kirk Session and parish administration records, etc) are also covered.
Family History Studies & Overseas Records
This class introduces the use of DNA in genealogical research; upon completion students will understand the various tests available and their use alongside traditional research methods.
Demography, research into the nobility and landed gentry and other family research along with Irish records, migration and emigration are covered as well as personal records such as occupation, military and education records.
Property, Law & Inheritance
You'll be given a methodical basis for the use of various document types, including the inheritance of property and land, wills, testaments and inventories across the United Kingdom.
Other areas covered include local and central government records (taxation, evaluation, elections, legal records, the courts of equity, records of chancery and exchequer) and a deeper look at palaeography records.
Heraldry & Latin
When you complete this session, you'll be able to transcribe and translate records from Latin sufficiently to extract relevant genealogical information from them. The origins and intentions of Scottish and English heraldry and heraldic art are covered and students will understand heraldry’s use in tracing families.
Genealogy, Heraldry & Social History 2
Here you'll deepen and extend your knowledge of sources and genealogical techniques used when researching non-UK countries and in mediaeval genealogy. Certain specialist topics such as the advanced uses of DNA in genealogy and Jewish genealogy are also covered.
Areas covered include:
Methods of Professional Enquiry & Project
As well as requiring you to demonstrate that you've acquired an understanding of a range of research methods and ways in which they can be deployed, this session provides practical skills in professional and academic research and practice and introduces archival record management.
Documents, Palaeography & Research Studies
When you complete this class, you'll recognise specific types of documents, their structure and intent and be able to transcribe and translate these from Latin sufficiently to extract relevant genealogical information from them.
The origins and intentions of Scottish and English heraldry and heraldic art are covered and students will understand heraldry’s use in tracing families.
Professional Enquiry & Development Leading to a Dissertation
The Masters stage of the Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies programme comprises one compulsory class. This requires you to plan, implement and evaluate a major piece of research, which involves carrying out an investigative and developmental project of genealogical relevance which will be assessed on the basis of a dissertation of 12,000-16,000 words.
Learning & teaching
The course is taught entirely online using Myplace, the University’s Virtual Learning Environment. Throughout the course we use:
You’ll need to commit time each week to cover:
Assessment
There's no formal exam for any of our courses. Individual results are based on continuous assessment with tutor support and feedback.
Computer & software access
You need to have regular access to a computer at home as we’ll issue you with various log-ins and passwords you can’t use on public computers.
Your computer must have a recent version of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office or Open Office. It should also be enabled for pop-ups.
We’ll communicate with you by email and via the University's Virtual Learning Environment. Please make sure you can use the following programmes:
Family Tree Maker software is sent to you before the start of the course. You can also choose to use comparable software from other vendors.
Assessment methods
PgCert/Part-time MSc Year 1 |
You'll be asked to complete assignments for each module - in addition to six summative assessments - the fulfilment of which should help advance your learning and indicate to your tutor the possession or development of the requisite knowledge and skills. You'll also need to complete a learning log. |
PgDip/Part-time MSc Year 2 |
Assessment is conducted through a mix of:
|
Part-time MSc Year 3 |
Assessment for the third year of the part-time MSc is based on a 12,000 to 16,000-word dissertation. This will focus on an investigative and developmental project of genealogical relevance. |
Full-time MSc |
Semester One:
Semester Two: Assessment on this semester is done through a mixture of:
Semester Three: The full-time MSc is finally assessed on the basis of a written dissertation of 12-16,000 words based on an investigative and developmental project of genealogical relevance which is turned in at the end of semester three. |
Our students
Julie Buist
The optional archive visit to Glasgow and Edinburgh was a great opportunity to spend time in several archives and really opened my eyes as to the extent of resources available to genealogists. There was also the added bonus of meeting tutors and fellow students - as well as being able to visit these two beautiful cities.
Find out more
Kathryn Burtinshaw
The course has provided me with enough information in key areas that have enabled me to have the confidence to give talks. The breadth of knowledge needed to complete the MSc was extremely wide and the ability to choose my own topic on a subject of personal interest allowed me to research a potentially publishable dissertation and gain a highly prestigious qualification at the same time.
Find out more
Janice Menzies
I liked the fact that the course was clearly designed for remote learning, rather than just an adaption of an existing on-site course. The teaching staff were real enthusiasts, very much involved in the subject, and with a range of different specialisms.
Find out more
Careers
Where are they now?
Job titles include:
Employers include:
Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city
Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.
Life in Glasgow
