Programme Structure

IPAS can either be studied as a full time intensive programme that is completed in a 12-month period or as a 24-month programme. The programme starts in August each year.

Each course will be offered in specific time periods (see timetable). They all have to be complete at that time and in a set sequence which differs for part-time and full-time students.

Your year

• Beginning this August, each course will be ten weeks long, and students will master one topic per week. 
• During the first few days you will be introduced to the programme, staff and the teaching method. After this the first course/module starts.
• Each course/module will last 10 weeks and will cover 10 topics.
• There will be a week for review and examination following each course. 
• Full-time students will take two courses at once, part-time students will take one course at a time. 
• Full-time students should expect to spend about 30 hours per week on coursework.  Part-time students can expect to spend about 10-15 hours per week.  These hours include lectures, readings, online discussion board, mandatory review exercises, writing assignments, and exams.
• There will be four terms across the year with a three week break at Christmas time, and another break for part-timers at the end of July/beginning of August. 

Assignments and exams

• Each course/module ends with an exam. This exam will be supervised, but not oncampus.
• Each course/module has additional marked assignments, for example an essay.
• During each course/module you will also have to do short formative assignments online. You will get feedback on your level of knowledge and understanding of the topic. These grades are not included in your final mark.
• Lecturers will post questions on the online discussion boards. You must contribute to the discussion with you fellow students  in a specific format using scientific evidence.
• Your final grade for each course/module will be calculated as follows:
  • exam 40-60%
  • essay or other marked assignment 30-50%
  • online group discussion 10%
• One grade will be awarded for each course and "translated" using the different grading systems used in the three countries.
• All lectures, exams and correspondence will be in English.