Except for a few specific distance learning programmes in professional areas such as education or nursing, a distance learning student has the flexibility to manage his/her own study pace.
If you are a new distance learning student under the 3-credit-unit system, the University advises you to start with a course at 1000 level; while a new distance learning student under the 5-credit system to do so at pre-foundation or foundation level. Courses at these study levels are designed to help you establish good study habits from the easier. However, if you wish to apply for advanced standing, you should first consult with the Advanced Standing Team of the Registry (Email: regaso@hkmu.edu.hk, Tel: 2768 6624). Most of the University's course materials and set books are also available for reference in the University's libraries and some public libraries.
Before submitting your course enrollments, you should check the programme regulations of your study programme (Course Enrolment > click the appropriate credit system of programme regulations) to ensure the courses you wish to select will be counted towards the award as fulfilling the graduation requirements. Alternatively, you should make use of the online student service “Course Choice Advisement” via MyHKMU.
Usually, the course registration periods for different terms are around:
Autumn term: June to July
Spring term: November to December
Summer term: mid-March to May
Certain programmes/courses may have a different or designated registration application period due to available quotas or as per School's request. Relevant information can be viewed on this admission/course registration webpage .
New students or students entering distance learning postgraduate programmes for the first time can register for courses with a total maximum registration value of 15 (under the 5-credit system) or 12 (under the 3-credit-unit system). For continuing students, the maximum registration value is 30 and 24 respectively.
The registration value of a course is the credit/credit-unit value of the course divided by the number of terms it takes to complete. It is an indication of a student's study load. For example, under the 5-credit system, a 20-credit course of two terms' duration has a registration value of 10, while a 5-credit course of one term's duration has a registration value of 5; under the 3-credit-unit system, a 18-credit-unit course of two terms' duration has a registration value of 9, while a 3-credit-unit course of one term's duration has a registration value of 3.
Prior approval is required from the Dean of the School concerned in order to exceed these registration value limits.
With the exception of programmes being phased-out or some specific programmes in professional areas (e.g. nursing), most of our distance learning programmes set no restrictions on either how long you can take to complete your qualification, or the study period. You can study at your own pace and needs. For instance, if you wish, you may take a break of any length after completing a course, and resume your study in a future term.
Under the 5-credit system, if you study for the maximum of 15 registration value in the first term, and 20 registration value in the following terms, the approximate time you would need to obtain a 120-credit ordinary degree would be three and a half years (the time would be shorter if you achieve advanced standing/credit exemption/study through pathway). In general, you are expected to study between 30 to 40 hours a week for a 20-registration-value study load. This would be similar to being a full-time student. For distance learning students who may have full-time jobs, they may tend to spread the study load for a degree over a period of five to six years.
Under the 3-credit-unit system, if you study for the maximum of 12 registration value in the first term, and 15 registration value in the following terms, the approximate time you would need to obtain a 90-credit-unit ordinary degree would be three and a half years (the time would be shorter if you achieve advanced standing/credit exemption/study through pathway). In general, you are expected to study between 30 to 40 hours a week for a 15-registration-value study load. This would be similar to being a full-time student. For distance learning students who may have full-time jobs, they may tend to spread the study load for a degree over a period of five to six years.
