Booking Short Courses

When do Short Courses run?

Most of our courses follow the 3-term academic year with courses starting Oct/Jan/Apr. Between July and October we usually have some writing workshops and languages available but most courses will not run during this time.

Dates for the new academic year starting October are published June-August so please keep check the website over this time to book early as popular courses can sell out.

Term dates for the 2024/25 academic year are as below. These include a "week 11" in case a lesson has to be rescheduled as forewarned in our T&C's, so please bear in mind when booking.

• Autumn term: Mon 30th September - Sun 15th December
• Spring term: Mon 13th January - Sun 30th March
• Summer term: Mon 28th April - Sun 13th July (Monday courses finish 21st July due to Bank Holidays)

Our default format is 10-week courses meeting once a week for 2 hours, in the evening, usually 6.30-8.30pm, but see individual course pages for specific information.

For 10-week courses starting in Week 1 of the above terms, enrolment figures are checked 14 days before the start, so we advise early booking to avoid disappointment as courses with insufficient enrolment may be cancelled.  Language courses with enough enrolments to run will remain open for booking until mid-week before the 2nd lesson.

Can I pay in instalments or reserve a place?

The payment system cannot take part-payments and so full payment is required to enrol. The website accepts cards or PayPal only. For those wishing to reclaim costs from sponsors the receipt email will show the delegate, course dates, fee and the zero VAT component.

I've enrolled, what's next?

Please be patient and await the joining instructions email - there may be a delay over holiday periods and also the summer months while IT systems are prepared for the new academic year. Whitelist our domain *@city.ac.uk and keep checking spam. When it arrives carefully read the directions regarding activating your IT account and how to access resources. Course modules will be hidden until a few days before your course starts, and lesson links may be posted any time up to the start day (as described in the joining instructions email).

Are lessons recorded, so I can catch up?

No, lessons aren't recorded either for online or on-campus lessons. Many people miss a lesson or two which is sometimes unavoidable. Course material may be used to catch up in your own time. If you will miss more than a couple of lessons please consider enrolling another time when you can more fully commit.

Who can enrol on a Short Course?

Anybody who is at least 18 years old can enrol for our part-time Short Courses at City, University of London - these are open access courses.

If you are coming from outside the UK for an on-campus course, you will need to make your own enquiries as to whether you will need a visitor visa. Please note that the University does not issue visa support letters for Short Courses. See also the International section.

Are the courses formal qualifications?

No, the courses are not qualifications or diplomas, and are not accredited. A certificate of completion will be issued to delegates having 70% attendance or better.

The certificate may be taken into account at other higher education institutions. Many of our delegates cite our courses on their CVs for job applications and further study.

Are Short Courses running online or on campus?

The online / on-campus information is stated for each available booking date, at the top of course pages on this website. Courses advertised as online will remain so for their duration.

How are Short Courses delivered online?

Lessons are held live at the advertised UK times using MS Teams or Zoom according to the tutor's preference. City holds licences for both of these platforms and you'll use your City IT account to access the sessions. Course material may be distributed through these channels or hosted on our learning platform.

Students must score 7/10 attendance to be eligible for the certificate.

What days are the lessons?

Lessons are held on the same day each week as the start day; any variation is stated with the date information on the course page.

If there is more than one instance of the course running that term, your booking is only valid for the weekday that you sign up for.

How do I see whether places are available?

Availability is shown on course pages. Exact seats available can be seen directly on our Estore - search for your course at https://estore.city.ac.uk

If the places available is showing course full / '0' then it is not possible to enrol. We suggest bookmarking this page and checking regularly in case places become available because of cancelations or transfers. However, this is unlikely in the 14 days preceding the start date due to our refund policy.

Where are the courses held?

On-site classes take place at the Northampton Square campus of City, University of London.

The course I want to enrol on is fully booked. Can you put me on the waiting list?

We don't keep waiting lists for courses that have sold out but suggest that interested parties keep checking the availability on the course page or Estore in case this changes due to cancellations or transfers. If the 'register interest' is showing you can use this to receive a mailshot when bookings reopen, if there are no more dates for the academic year.

The course I want to enrol on is fully booked. Can you squeeze me in anyway?

Unfortunately we cannot enrol additional delegates once a class is full. It is likely that we will have turned away many others also. Adding delegates beyond the set limit adversely impacts the learning experience of all participants.

What qualifications do I need?

Short Courses require no formal qualifications, degrees, or documentation of such. However, we ask that you carefully read the Eligibility section on each course page of interest to determine whether it will be suitable for you.

Beginner or introductory level Short Courses are generally suitable for anyone with an interest. Beginner computing/design courses assume familiarity with using a computer and file system.

For higher level courses please check the Eligibility section on the course page (and the 'What Will I Learn' tab on any pre-requisite course cited) as certain knowledge will be assumed.

Is there a minimum age requirement for studying on a Short Course?

Yes, delegates must be at least 18 years old to enrol for our courses. There is no upper age limit.

I am not a native speaker of English. Do I need an IELTS certificate?

No, we do not require formal proof of an applicant's proficiency of English, but, as our Short Courses are University level courses, we strongly recommend that you should have a level at least equivalent to IELTS 6.5 in order to fully benefit.

How do I enrol on a Short Course?

Enrolment is by full payment on our website using a card or PayPal. Hit “Book Now” on the course page to be taken to the Estore, our secure online payment system.

After completing payment the account holder is sent an automatic receipt from the Estore. For reimbursement purposes with employers/sponsors, this shows the fee and zero VAT applied.

Joining instructions will be emailed to delegate(s) closer to the start date - please whitelist City's domain in your email app and keep checking spam for this.

Online lesson links are posted in our online learning platform any time up to the start day but usually a few days before.

N.B. Please note PayPal’s refund limit of 180 days when booking, as refunds after this limit must be processed manually by the University's finance office and will take longer.

Is it possible to pay the course fee in instalments, or reserve a place?

No, it's not possible to pay in instalments or reserve a place by deposit. The course fee must be paid in full in order to enrol.

My payment keeps being declined, what should I do?

Please speak to your payment provider and check whether they are blocking payments to us.

My transaction keeps terminating before/at payment with no error?

Please check the following:

1. Use an up-to-date browser: Edge, Chrome, Firefox, for instance
2. Disable any browser extensions especially Adblock or others that can alter or hide page contents
3. Disable any VPNs that could be changing your IP address between pages
4. If you've disabled JavaScript, please enable it
5. Mastercard holders - we've been advised you should ensure popups are not blocked in your browser, to enable the extra security form to show up
6. Customers in financial institutions - strong firewalls can block information from reaching the payment system; please try from another (secure) network and/or your mobile device
7. Try on a mobile device, on a different (secure) network

What's the deadline for enrolment to a Short Course?

The nominal deadline is the Wednesday before the start of term, for 10 week courses, but it will be shown on the course page for each enrollable date.

Courses having insufficient numbers (usually 5) may be cancelled 14 days before the start so we advise enrolling as soon as possible. Also, many popular courses can fill up long before the start date.

Enrolling earlier also gives you more time to activate your IT account in advance of the course start, and enables us to assist you if necessary. This is especially important for weekend workshops. City's IT policy dictates that you activate and use your City IT account to access our systems and Zoom/Team sessions.

Can I take more than one Short Course at the same time?

Yes, you can enrol on more than one Short Course in the same term, but make sure that the days and times on which they run do not clash. Check course pages for details before enrolling.

What if I have specific learning needs?

Please contact us early if you have any specific learning needs that might be relevant when choosing a course. We will be able to provide feedback on what support might be available.

A course is showing 'no starting dates', when will these be published?

It's common to see this after the end of the summer term or if or if there are no more occurrences in the near future. Courses for the next academic year are published July/August. Please keep checking the website for updates and/or hit the 'register interest' button if there is one, to receive a mailshot when enrolments re-open for that course.

Is there a discount if I am a current UG or PG student / unemployed / book more than one course?

No, there are no student discounts available for Short Courses.

What is the fee for EEA / international participants ?

The fee shown on course pages is the same for everyone.

Are lessons recorded, so I can catch up?

No, lessons aren't recorded either for online or on-campus lessons. Many people miss a lesson or two which is sometimes unavoidable. Course material may be used to catch up in your own time but as the courses are not written as true distance learning, this is not a complete substiture for attending live classes. We do not offer the possibility to make up attendance on another day or term.

How many people will be in a class?

It depends on the subject area; on average up to 16, fewer for some writing or language courses online. You can often determine max class size/bookings this by hitting 'book now' and looking at the places available for future terms on the Estore, which have not yet enrolled.

Is there any homework outside class?

Your tutor might set exercises to be completed at home. Although the courses aren't accredited we recommend that you spend between 2-6 hours per week per class or as needed in order to keep up with the material.

I will have to miss one or two lessons, is this a problem?

Many people miss a lesson here and there - participants will need catch up in their own time. Please note that minimum 70% attendance is needed to be eligible for the certificate. We do not offer the possibility to make up attendance on another day or term.

I will have to miss three or more lessons, can I still attend?

To be eligible for the certificate of attendance, you must attend 70% of the lessons. You are welcome to enrol but it may be better to join a term when you can more fully attend. We do not offer the possibility to make up attendance on another day or term.

Do I need to bring a laptop for my computing class on campus?

Usually, no - this requirement is stated on course pages where required. Otherwise, computing courses taught on campus use the University's PCs.

Are there lessons on Bank Holidays?

No, there are no lessons on Bank Holidays. Courses with lessons falling on Bank Holidays in the summer term will thus end later in July than others, in order to cover 10 lessons. Please hit ‘book now’ on the course page to view end dates on the Estore. These will also be on the receipt.

Is there a half-term break?

No, the university does not have half-term breaks, and Short Courses do not have a reading week.

Can I take your Short Courses by distance learning?

Our courses are not intended as distance learning. Any notes provided are intended to supplement the live online or classroom lessons and are not conceived as standalone material. In addition, delegates must attend 70% of lessons to be eligible for the certificate.

What platform will online classes be taught on?

Classes are either taught via Microsoft Teams or Zoom, depending on your tutor’s preference. City holds licences for both of these platforms, and you'll use your City IT account to log in. IT account information is sent in due course after enrolment.

Where do I access learning materials for the course?

Course material is usually hosted on our learning platform but may be distributed through Teams/Zoom also.

Are online classes still interactive?

Most classes are live and not pre-recorded lectures. (N.B. Please check the individual course page for any specific variations on this, e.g. in a very few courses, pre-recorded videos may be used to explain some concepts or tasks). Depending on the course you may be split into breakout rooms with other students to discuss topics. The tutor will encourage active participation in classes so that students get the best out of the course.

Do I need to have my camera on?

We would encourage you to share your camera as it’s a really important part of creating an interactive class environment online.

What if I have a bad Wi-Fi connection?

Although not ideal, we understand that the digital world has its technical difficulties at times. Try logging in using a different device or go to another location to source a better connection.

Is there an exam, or other formal assessment?

No - Short Courses are not accredited and so there is no exam or formal assessment. However, some courses will have work to complete between sessions and tutors may offer feedback. Some courses conclude with an individual presentation and/or group work as discussed with your tutor.

Do I get a certificate at the end of the course?

Participants who attend at least 70% of the classes* will qualify for the certificate of attendance. Certificates are issued in PDF format and sent to the email used at time of enrolment. *Please note that informing your tutor of future absence is not counted towards attendance.

How do I get a replacement certificate?

Replacement certificates are charged at £15 each and will also be issued as a PDF. Please email the admin team quoting your full name at enrolment, student number, course details and year and term of study so that we may check your eligibility.

What's the difference between a CPD course and a Short Course?

CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is regarded as a more structured approach to learning and the means by which people maintain their knowledge and skills related to their professional lives. Some CPD courses may require certain professional experience and previous qualifications.

Short Courses can be taken by people who are new to a subject, or want to refresh their knowledge of it, but in some areas they may also progress to more advanced levels.

Beginner or introductory level Short Courses are generally suitable for anyone with an interest. Beginner computing/design courses assume familiarity with using a computer and file system. For higher level courses please check the Eligibility section on the course page (and 'What Will I Learn' tab on any pre-requisite course cited) as certain knowledge will be assumed.

Can I cancel my enrolment and get a refund?

Refunds will be given minus our standard administration charge if notification is received by email at least 14 days before the start of your course. Bookings made during this time are ineligible for refund. Refund requests received over a holiday period when the admin office is closed will be assessed after the break and honoured if eligible.

No refunds will be given with less than 14 days' notice.

Please read our full Terms and Conditions including Section IV which applies to Short Courses.

What happens if I register for a course, but not enough people enrol on it?

City, University of London reserves the right to cancel a course, if, for example, there are insufficient enrolments. If this occurs, we will refund your course fee in full.

Am I entitled to any student benefits?

Our Short Courses are unaccredited and so our delegates are not considered part of the main UG or PG student body. You will not therefore be automatically enrolled for NUS membership, or be entitled to student travel discounts or council tax reductions, for example.

Please note: Usually the term 'student' in other departments' web pages refers to the UG/PG community so please check before attending any events or entering competitions advertised to students.

Will I get a Student Card?

No, Short Course students are not eligible for NUS membership and will not receive a student card.

Is there any help available finding a job or internship when I finish a Short Course at City University London?

Short Courses delegates are entitled to get advice on how to enhance their employability from the university's Careers Service.

I don't live in the UK - can I enrol for Short Courses? If yes, what are the fees?

The part-time Short Courses at City, University of London are open access courses: anybody over 18 years of age can enrol for them, whether home or international residents. The course fees are the same for everybody. NB. There is no visa requirement to study our online courses.

Do I need to apply for a visa to come to study on the Short Courses?

Following Brexit, delegates from the European Economic Area (EEA) should check the visitor visa requirements to come to the UK.

If you are a non-EEA national, you will need to make your own enquiries as to whether you will need a visa in order to study.

Please note that the University does not issue visa support letters for Short Courses.

Can I extend my student visa in order to attend a Short Course?

It is not possible to extend a student visa to attend our Short Courses, as these courses do not qualify for student visa support. A delegate's visa must be valid for the full duration of any Short Course enrolled on, if it is held on campus.

Please note that the University does not issue visa support letters for Short Courses.

Do I need to have an IELTS certificate to prove my level of English?

No. There is no formal proof required of the applicant's proficiency of English, but, as the courses are of University level, the guideline is that you should have at least a level equivalent to IELTS 6.5. The entry requirements for the Short Courses state that applicants should have proficient written and spoken English.

Do you provide accommodation if I enrol on one of the Short Courses?

No, we do not arrange accommodation for our Short Course delegates.

Is there any financial help available for international residents?

No, there isn't any funding available to international residents for Short Courses.