1. Alef Trust undertakes to make available the learning resources and support required to allow the student to complete their programme of study. Details of the support provided within each area of study are given in the Open Learner Handbook. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they access this support and the resources as appropriate.
2. Alef Trust will invoice students prior to the commencement of a programme of study, and enrolment on the learning environment will be contingent on fees having been paid. In cases where Open Learners intend to study for more than one year, they will be invoiced in subsequent years one month prior to the commencement of the first area of study for the year. In exceptional cases of financial hardship payment in instalments can be arranged. In this case the first instalment will be due before commencement of the relevant course. Failure to pay subsequent instalments will result in the disabling of passwords and usernames for electronic learning resources.
3. All students will have access to electronic learning resources, including a collaborative learning environment (CLE) until the end of the programme of study. Access to these resources is dependent upon the student conducting themselves in a respectful and supportive manner to other members of their online learning community.
4. The CLE is a closed learning environment. It is the responsibility of each member of the learning community to maintain this environment. Usernames and passwords assigned to students for electronic resources are for the use of that student only and must not be passed to any other person in any circumstance. Failure to comply with this condition can result in the withdrawal of such resources.
5. If an Open Learner decides to leave their programme of study prior to its completion then Alef Trust must be informed by email or letter sent to the Executive Assistant (francesca.hector@aleftrust.org) and copied to the Registrar (nick.theo@aleftrust.org). Verbal notification will not be sufficient. This requirement comes into effect as soon as an application form has been received from the student. A portion of the fees paid may be refundable. The financial consequences of withdrawal depend on the timing of the student’s decision to withdraw, as follows:
5.1. All students have the right to cancel their agreement to take up the offer of a place on the programme of study within 14 calendar days of receiving Alef Trust’s confirmation of their place by email. There is no requirement to provide reasons, and the student will receive a full refund of any fees paid or a waiver of any fees the student had been liable to pay for the programme of study.
5.2. If the student informs the Executive Assistant and Registrar of their intention to leave the programme within 14 days from the commencement of their programme of study, the student will be entitled to a refund of 75% of the full fee for the programme of study.
5.3. If the student informs the Executive Assistant and Registrar of their intention to leave the programme after 14 days from the commencement of their programme of study, no fees will be refunded.
6. If an Open Learner is unable to complete a course due to adverse personal circumstances beyond their control (such as serious prolonged illness or a change in economic circumstances), the Open Learner may request a suspension of studies and be re-enrolled in the relevant course in the following academic year. All decisions regarding re-enrolment will be made on a case-by-case basis.
7. Accreditation: Open Learners can gain a Certificate of Participation for their studies. To achieve the certificate, Open Learners must demonstrate their learning efforts and progress by partaking in all of the relevant course’s forums. The Open Learner will be required to construct one substantive original post on all forums, as well as engage with at least one post made by other students.
8. Assignments: Open Learners can also choose to complete the assignments which are set for postgraduate students in their selected courses. The additional assessment fee for course assignments in full MSc modules is £100, and £75 in all specialist options. If the Open Learner wishes to submit an assignment, Alef Trust must be notified and an invoice will be raised and must be paid prior to assessment. Please note that Open Learning courses are not university accredited.
9. Policy for Open Learners wishing to transfer to Alef Trust Masters Programme:
Studying as an Open Learner is an excellent strategy for those who may wish to experience studying in the Alef Trust community prior to deciding to commit to the full MSc. We therefore endeavour to facilitate a transition from open learning to the MSc for those who express a desire to proceed from open learning to MSc studies. However, we cannot guarantee that all Open Learners will be able to make this transition. An Open Learner who wishes to commence studying on the MSc programme in Consciousness, Spirituality and Transpersonal Psychology would have to submit a full master's application. In evaluating the application, the admissions team will be aware that the student has already experienced the Alef Learning Community, and that, therefore, their wish to study as an MSc student demonstrates that they appreciate the approach to learning fostered in the community. Our evaluation of the application will be conducted against this favourable background. Nevertheless, the admissions team will consider other strengths and weaknesses in the application in arriving at a decision.
An Open Learner thinking of applying for the MSc programme should consider issues relating to assessment and finance:
Assessment
If the Open Learner wishes to have the area(s) already studied during their time as an Open Learner accredited towards the MSc, then formal assessment of learning is required. Such accreditation can be applied only to the Spiritual Psychology and Applied Transformative Psychology modules. The required assignment(s) could be submitted during the Open Learning period (for which there is a fee) or subsequently, during the student’s time on the MSc. The assignment(s) for assessment must be the same as those normally set for modules within the MSc programme. In the case of both modules, students will have had to study at least two of the option courses available within the module. The assignment in each module requires students to draw on material studied in the two options selected. Open Learners thinking that they may wish to proceed to the MSc should seek advice when choosing from amongst those courses designated as options for MSc students studying these modules.
Finance
Students will not be required to pay twice for any module studied. If a student seeks accreditation towards the MSc for a module studied as an Open Learner, then fees paid for the module will be deducted from the fee due as an MSc student. This financial consideration will apply only when the student writes their assignment on the basis of the two option areas studied during their time as an Open Learner. If the student were to choose one or more options they had not previously studied, then they would be required to pay at the full MSc rate for the module.
If you are thinking of applying for the MSc programme, please consult Nicholas Theo, Programme Manager (nick.theo@aleftrust.org).