Flexible learning models

Our degree programmes are designed to suit the complexities of modern life, allowing you to live where you live and work where you work whilst studying the subject you are passionate about as a member of our wide-reaching learning community.

At Dartington Trust, learning is guided by three principles:

embracing the new low-residency, tech-supported more accessible learning structure;
rediscovering an ethos of learning by doing that has been at the heart of Schumacher College since its founding 30 years ago;
taking inspiration from ancient Vispassna wisdom that put forward 10 or 21 day learning phases as a basis for transformational learning.

the qualification that suits you

When you decide to enter (or re-enter) higher education, you’ll have your own personal checklist. We understand that juggling your studies with the demands of modern life can be challenging, and that’s why we offer a range of options.

Our Regenerative Food and Farming BSc, and most of our Master’s and Postgraduate Diploma qualifications can be taken part-time (usually at double the duration of the full-time requirement). Please refer to our individual course pages to see what part-time options exist for that course.

We have also put together the following guide to the various qualifications. Again, you’ll need to refer to our course pages to see which ones are available for the course you want to take.

Don’t have the time for a full degree? Did you know you can join our postgraduate students for many of our modules as standalone unaccredited short courses. Browse the full listings here >

postgraduate qualifications

Postgraduate qualifications are typically studied after graduating from an undergraduate degree. They can be studied directly after completing an undergraduate degree, or later in life. (For example, as part of a career change, or simply through discovering a new passion.) We are welcoming of all students from every walk of life, so don’t be put off if you haven’t completed any formal education for a while.

Please note this is not an exhaustive list, but reflects the particular qualifications offered by Dartington Trust.

MAster's / master's of sciences (180 credits)

Taught Masters (MA, MSc) are also known as a postgraduate taught degree. These Masters degrees follow a very similar structure to an undergraduate degree (Bachelors Degree). The taught modules are designed to give you a thorough understanding of the subject you are learning. The most common titles you will see at the start of a course titles are MA (which is ‘Masters of Arts’ and MSc (which is ‘Master of Science’). A Masters course typically takes 1 year (full-time) or 2 years (part-time) to complete.

MFA (FT/PT; MASTER'S PLUS FURTHER STUDY)

An MFA option involves a further 60 credits of study resulting in a significant, self initiated public outcome, performance, exhibition or publication. Participants will be drawn from our own MA programmes as well as those from other institutions.

Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)

The PGCert & PGDip are levels/modules within a Masters degree, which can be chosen to study as a ‘standalone’ qualification. This can be of interest to someone who wants to learn a bit about the subject, or has specific areas of interest in the subject. It is also significantly cheaper in tuition fees than a full Master’s course.

Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)

First module only (30 credits)

Some of our postgraduate course modules can be studied on a standalone basis, as a ‘short course’ with accredited or non-accredited options.

Please see our individual course pages for details, or head to our Short Course programme page (new website) to browse from our full range of unaccredited courses.

undergraduate qualifications

Please note this is not an exhaustive list, but reflects the particular qualifications offered by Dartington Trust.

Bachelors of Science (FT/PT; 360 credits)

An Undergraduate degree is also known as a bachelors, honours or first degree. These degrees usually run for three years (full-time).

This is the ‘traditional’ progression route in the UK education system from completing A/AS levels at college. The most common titles you will see at the beginning of an undergraduate course is BA (which is ‘Bachelor of Arts’) or BSc (which is ‘Bachelor of Science’), and it is the latter that we currently offer at Dartington Trust via our Regenerative Food and Farming course.

The BA/BSc qualification means that it is designed to give you a thorough understanding of the subject you are learning. The format and module credits will change for every education institution so when you are looking to choose a subject/course look careful at the degree content, structure and modules you will cover.

Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)

A Diploma in Higher Education is a higher education qualification offered in the UK and generally awarded after two years of full-time study at a university or higher education institution.

The DipHE offers an excellent entry point into certain careers. At two years, rather than three or four, it’s a speedier and more direct route into certain vocations, but it still equips you with the expertise that the job requires.

Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)

A Certificate of Higher Education is a higher education qualification offered in the UK, typically taking one year (full-time) or two years (part-time) study to complete.

It is the most basic level of qualification that a student can gain in higher education.

Completing a CertHE can demonstrate individuals’ capability of studying at university level. It can raise confidence, support a career change, or progression in a current career.

single module (20 credits)

Some of our undergraduate course modules can be studied on a standalone basis, as a ‘short course’ with accredited or non-accredited options.