The following are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about studying at AUOL.

Q. Will I be the one to select the courses to complete the required no. of credits; are there any mandatory courses to be taken?

A. A few of the courses listed in your program must be taken as core courses, whilst all remaining modules are electives and can be chosen by the student.

Q. Will my supervisor be based in my country? Can I chose a locally based supervisor?

A. In order to facilitate the research and supervision of candidates for higher degrees, AUOL has a number of highly qualified professors, specialists in various fields who are located in many countries all over the world. This makes for easier communication between student and supervisor. In the event a suitable supervisor is not available in the candidate's country of residence an AUOL accredited supervisor will be appointed. A candidate may also recommend a locally base supervisor and if said supervisor is approved by the University he/she will be duly appointed for the duration of the program.

Q. How do I communicate with my tutor, via e-mail or through the mail system?

A. Via e-mail is the fastest and most reliable way. If however you are not on line you my communicate with your supervisor via airmail or fax.

Q. What happens if I cannot complete the program within the prescribed duration period due to job / travel commitments etc? Will it be possible to make it within 18 months instead of 12 months, for example?

A. Yes, the recommended program duration period is a guideline only. The degree will be awarded on the successful completion of your program/dissertation.

Q. What if I move to an other country?? Will I have to interrupt my studies?

A. No. it makes no difference where you live and how often you move as long as you have access to a computer and an internet connection.

Q. If I register for a degree by R& D (Research & Dissertation) Do I need to take some online courses before preparing my dissertation?

A. Normally you do not have to.

Q. I have completed a number of credits at an other recognized college/university, can I transfer my credits in full to AUOL?

A. Students may transfer to AUOL at any time during their studies. All transfer students who intend to receive a degree from AUOL must complete at lease 10 credits at AUOL (except for APEL based degrees) Courses taken at an other recognized institution will be accepted for credit toward degrees at the American University of London and are graded according to that institution’s grading system and are converted or equated to AUOL grades.

Q. How will the research topic for my thesis be chosen? Are there some subjects, which the University recommends?

A. The choice of research subject will be determined between you and your supervisor once you have been enrolled. Most supervisors would prefer you to chose a subject that is of particular interest to you.

Q. How will I take my exams? Are you going to email the questions to me and then I email the answers back to you? Are exams going to be conducted at the British/American consulate/council/institute, AUOL affiliates etc? In my own country? And is there a specific dates for the tests?

A. The American University Of London degree programs are modular, allowing both flexible and specialized study. Credits are gained by the successful completion of each module. Exams (written assignments for most courses) are taken on regular and ongoing basis throughout the course. When an assignment is successfully submitted (pass mark is 65%.) you move on to the next module, and so on until all modules are completed. If you fail an assignment (mark below 65%) you will take it again at the end of the program. No attendance to London is required.

Q. How are you going to provide me with the study textbooks? If not, what if the book is not available in my own country?

A. Study manuals, prepared by members of the AUOL faculty, are available to students for most modules, and covering the entire syllabus of the program (price from £25.00 per module + P&P). These will be sent to you by airmail or by Fast mail, eg. DHL, ARAMEX, etc if you prefer.

Q. Do you have tutors around the world? If there is a need for explanation in a certain course, whom will I contact?

A. AUOL has numerous locally –based tutors who are specialists in your field of study/research/specialization. If no tutor is available in your country a University-based tutor will be appointed. You will receive on-on-one instruction and supervision. Contact with tutors is via email whilst a top copy of all assignments must be sent by post.

Q. What is the difference between DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) and PhD in Business Administration?

A. DBA is more practical & business oriented (50% coursework & 50% dissertation), whilst the PhD is more academic (100% dissertation).

Q. How long it will take for the school to evaluate my application once you receive the completed, signed and dated application form, the CV, 2 photographs and the Application fee?

A. Normally an application is processed within 7 days from receipt of documents and the student is notified immediately afterwards. The Evaluation & Admissions Council of the university meet every week (except during the holidays).

Q. When can I start?

A. Any time of the year! The American University of London operates on a rolling admissions basis. Applicants are advised of their status upon approval of their application by the University’s Evaluation & Admissions Council (normally within two weeks of receipt of their completed application) Program of study commences on completion of registration formalities and the issuance of the student’s Certificate of Registration.

Q. Do I qualify for APEL credits?

A. Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is aimed at mature applicants (over 25 years old and with a minimum of 3 years professional /business experience). In a few cases the applicant’s work experience and credits attained elsewhere are sufficient to earn full credits towards the degree sought. The candidate is thus eligible to submit an application for the immediate award of a degree.. In most other instances it is necessary either to submit a dissertation on a topic related to the applicant’s area of expertise or to take a number of courses by Directed Coursework Study under the guidance of a university accredited supervisorAll applicants are considered for APEL credits. The number of credits to be awarded and the final approval of the application are determined by the Evaluation & Admissions Council when the application is being considered. That is why a detailed CV is required with your application.

Q. The fees listed for the program ie £3500.00, do they cover the entire program or are they per one year only?

A. The fees cover the FULL program.

Q. Can I pay my fees by installments?

A. Yes, fees may be paid by 2 or 3 installments (in some circumstances more installments can be arranged with the bursar).

Q. Do the fees include AUOL modules, books, study manuals, CDs etc?

A. Study manuals, prepared by members of the AUOL Faculty, are available to students for most modules, and covering the entire syllabus of the program (from £25.00 per module + P&P). These modules are specifically designed with the Distance Learning student in mind and list all further essential and recommended reading. In addition to AUOL modules your supervisor will also provide you with a list of all textbooks, reference, research papers, publications and all material relevant to your course of study.

Q. Do I qualify for financial aid?

A. The American University of London offers a £1000 annual scholarship, off the total program fee of £3500, to a number of financially deserving students from a number of African countries and from the following nations : India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka.

Q. How do I register at the University?

A. The following are the 3 steps necessary for enrolment at AUOL.

STEP 1 APPLICATION

The first step is to complete and return the following documents:

1. A completed, signed and dated application form, may also be downloaded from website , copy enclosed as attachment
2. Copy/ies of your certificate/s ( please do not send originals)
3. A current CV ( required in order to ascertain your eligibility to APEL credits)
4. Two passport size photographs.
5. Application Fee of £50 (fifty pounds sterling payable to the AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF LONDON)

(No application will be considered until all above documents are received at the Registry. Please send by registered/recorded mail)

STEP 2 REGISTRATION

Once your application has been approved by the University’s Evaluation & Admissions Council of the University ( normally within ONE week from receipt of above documents) , you will be sent an official Offer Of Admission and requested to pay your fees ( or first installment thereof ).

STEP 3 ENROLMENT AND COMMENCEMENT OF PROGRAM

Once step 2 has been completed , you will be sent a Certificate of Registration, and all relevant documents including your University ID card. Your accredited supervisor will be appointed and you are then ready to start your course immediately.

Q. When can I register?

A. The American University of London operates on a rolling admissions basis. AUOL will accept an application at any time of the year, from anywhere in the world as long as the applicant is duly qualified and/or has prior work experience that can be considered suitable for the awarding of university credits, and is approved by the university’s Evaluation & Admissions Council. Program of study commences on completion of registration formalities and the issuance of the student’s Certificate of Registration.

Q. I have not got TOEFL Test, is that a problem?

A. Non-Native English speakers must have a good command of both written and spoken English, the language of instruction at AUOL, even though the University does not require external English tests such as TOEFL GMAT, Cambridge Proficiency, etc.

Q. Do you hold a graduation ceremony?

A. Yes, due to the worldwide geographic distribution of our students, AUOL holds a Convocation once every two years.