Frequently Asked Questions

 

Application

Are there any English language requirements?

For students who do not live or come from an English language speaking country then we recommend taking an IELTS course to improve your language to level 5.5 or higher. This can be done alongside our courses. Your minimum level of English may vary depending upon which university you decide to complete your top up qualification from.

Do I need any previous experience and qualifications?

You will need a IELTS score to start studying with GSA but you need to have an IELTS score of level 5.5 or above on completion of the GSA course. You can study an English course alongside the GSA course. At level 4/5 you will require a full secondary education to be eligible to enroll onto the course and universities will require a minimum age before embarking on the university top-up programme. At Level 7 you will require 5 years managerial experience if you do not have a BA degree. This may vary for various University partners however. We will look at every application individually and some exceptions may be looked at.

Will there be an interview?

There is no interview process. You will have to fill out a short application form to make sure you meet the criteria.

How do I choose the best course for me?

GSA Course page to view the range of courses on offer. to decide on what subjects best suit the learner, he/she should:

    • Review the modules within the course, do they interest you? are they relevant to your chosen career path?
    • How the course is taught and assessed, do you have the motivation to study via distance learning? are you able to work independently?

How do I apply for a course?

You can simply choose your course and enroll online, via the GSA course page. Alternatively you can call the GSA enrollment team on +44 1482 662 899 and they will guide you through the enrollment process.

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Assignments

Do I have to pay for my assignments?

All assignment submissions are free of charge.

Do I receive Help and guidance while writing assignments?

Yes, all students are encouraged to arrange an initial 30 minute ‘assignment preparation’ session with one of our tutors.

In addition to this, students have access to tutors who work with GSA. The tutor details are available via the Dashboard and will show which areas they specialize in and when they are available for sessions. If a student wishes to arrange a session they can do so directly from the Dashboard, where they can specify which topic they need assistance with, or they can contact our support team at academy@globalstudyacademy.com. Further information is available in the Student Handbook and the relevant course information packs.

How do I submit my assignments?

Submissions need to be uploaded to via the dashboard, in the ‘assignment’ area.

Students must also provide a plagiarism report for all submitted assignments

How many words do I have to write for my assignments?

We recommend students write between 5000 – 8000 words for each assignment, although students will not be penalised for going over this word count limit as long as the work is related to the assignment question.

When do I receive the assignments?

Assignments are released to students upon enrollment.

How long does the marking process take?

After an assignment has been submitted our markers will return the results within 10 working days. Once all assignments have been completed and marked an Internal Verifier will check the work, which usually takes up to 10 working days. After the Internal Verification has come back, and agrees with the initial marking, all of the assignments are sent to the awarding body for External Verification. the awarding body will check all of the work to be sure it is of the correct standard, this process can take up to 30 working days. In total once you have completed all assignments and had them marked it can take up to 40 working days to receive your final result.

Costs

Is the online payment taken immediately?

Yes. Once GSAhas received the cleared funds your course material will be released to you immediately.

Is there any financial assistance available?

GSA offers an interest free payment plan so that you can pay for your course over a set number of months. Contact one of our student advisers for more information about this. UK students may also be eligible for student loans for the university top-up programme. Learners should make inquiries direct to their chosen university.

Are there likely to be any additional costs?

No additional costs are levied by GSA, and all additional learning resources including tutor support, e-books, games and short business courses, are included in course tuition fees. For more information relating to tutor support click here.

What payment options are available?

Payment can be made online through Sage Pay by credit/debit card, bank transfer or PayPal through any of our international banks.

How much do assessments cost?

Assessments are included with the course purchases.

Credibility

How are Universities linked to the modules?

Learners who achieve an GSA qualification are automatically mapped against a standard UK Higher Education qualification framework. This is a universally recognised framework of credits. Universities can therefore award credits against the GSA study to give exemptions from large parts of their formal programmes. GSA and awarding bodies have pre agreed arrangements with certain universities to provide credits against programmes either on campus or off campus. This is termed ‘university top-up’.

General

Who are GSA?

The Global Study Academy is an independent education provider operating in the United Kingdom.of

What do GSA do?

The GSA is dedicated to providing a wide range of Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses at an affordable cost. All learning activities, materials and content are provided online using modern delivery models to make learning more engaging and cost effective. On completion of an GSA course it will give you recognised University credits to then “top up” at one of our UK University partners, saving you time and money.

Personal Details

How do I change my personal contact details once I have given them to GSA?

All details can be edited through the student dashboard. Once a student has enrolled they can login a view their course progress, edit their profile and chat to fellow students in the forum.

Can I still access my Student Dashboard if I have finished my course?

Access to the GSA Dashboard is for a maximum of 4 years from date of enrolment. This can be extended if a request is made in writing to GSA Student admin via admin@esbmonline.com

I have forgotten my username/password and cannot login to my dashboard, how can I get access?

If learners have lost or forgotten their log in details, they can request a new password on provision of their email address. Email academy@globalstudyacademy.com for more assistance.

Progression

Will I be able to get through to higher education through GSA?

The GSA programmes are mapped against UK higher education qualifications which are fully transferable to a range of other higher education routes and professional qualifications. On completion of the GSA level 4/5 programme students will be awarded 240 credits ( The first 2 years of a Undergraduate degree) . They can then top up to their final year at one of our University partners who recognise the OFQUAL qualification. Similarly at level 7 students gain 120 credits from a total of 180 credits for an MBA. Again they can top up at an GSA University partners.

What potential job opportunities are there after I finish the course?

Once you successfully complete your final year at university, you will have a full BA degree or postgraduate qualification that will open doors to many career options.

Student Support

What do I do if I am struggling?

You can seek help from dedicated forums or request tutor help. Students can interact and help each other through the course content and share interesting and relevant links with each other. We also have a dedicated tutor support team all specialising in all GSA modules.

Can I talk to other students?

All students that have enrolled onto a course can communicate with other students via the social learning forum.

How much support is available for students?

Learners can use the social learning forums without limitation and talk to fellow learners around the world. Learners may also choose to purchase additional tutor support. Tutors will also present webinars on demand which are available free of charge to all students.

Credibility

What modules do I need to achieve a qualification?

You need to complete all the modules detailed in your required course option plus all the associated assessments to complete the GSA course and receive the diploma. This will give you the recognized University credits. You can study the modules at your own pace and can purchase more modules at any time.

Can I personalise my study?

Students can study the modules in any order and at any pace, to qualify for the University Top-up all of the modules and assignments have to be completed.

Does my previous study and experience count towards an GSA course?

There are no exemptions or credits within the GSA system of study and you have to study all the GSA modules to take advantage of our access route. However if you think you may be exempt from a certain level then please contact us and we will advise you. We can also help you with your top up inquiries if you have already got the necessary qualifications.

How long will it take?

Learners can learn at a pace that suits them. There is no time limits or dealines with GSA. Learners can study the modules in any order at any time.

What is a Certificate of Completion?

Each module and assessment passed generates a certificate of completion which details module content, level of study and learning outcomes achieved. It is mapped against formal UK educational quality guidelines defined by QAA. On completion of all modules you can then write assignments set by the awarding body to complete your diploma with GSA.

What study materials do I need?

The modules themselves are sufficient for passing the associated assessments. The modules contain additional accessible resources that learners may wish to follow through to enhance their learning and these are provided within the text. GSA also has extra learning resources like e books and webinars to aid your study, completely free of charge.

Can I access my dashboard and study on my mobile and tablet?

Yes, but this will only be accessible with an internet connection. All digital interactivity has been coded for compatibility on touch screens. You can also learn the material by printing it off.

Do I need a specific computer to study with GSA?

As long as you have internet access any computer or tablet can be used to complete online modules and courses. You can also study on your phone with our mobile friendly content.

What is an interactive learning module?

The interactive activities in the modules include tests, exercises and assessments that provide a guide to a learner’s progress through the module.

How do assessments work?

Assessments are made up of 30 multiple choice questions and last for one hour. There is an assessment at the end of each module. Questions are answered in sets of five to allow for review and editing if required. If a session times out or an issue occurs throughout, the assessment will time out at the point of the previous five questions so that a participant does not lose their previous answers. Results are given immediately on completion. You can find out more on the assessment page. On completion of all end of module assessments learners then write assignments set by the awarding body to complete the course.

Do all modules have an exam?

All modules have an online assessment. Completion of the requisite number of assessments and written assignments will give the participant a qualification recognised by many top line universities.

What do I get when all the modules and assessments are completed?

Learners who complete the full programme of modules as detailed and also complete the assignments are awarded an OFQUAL approved certificate and official Credits. This qualification is recognised by UK higher education authorities and by the university sector. The student can then apply to one of our University partners to complete their degree.

Credibility

How can I pay for my fees as an overseas student?

GSA has a network of overseas banks that will take payment direct or alternatively by credit /debit card. Alternatively we have representatives in many overseas countries and you can contact them to make payment and for tutor support and help.

Will GSA act as my sponsor for a student visa?

GSA can act as a visa sponsor and facilitate the application process. please email academy@globalstudyacademy.com for more information.

Do I need a visa to complete modules/course through GSA?

No visa is required for online study. If a student chooses to take the university top-up programme on campus in the UK, a student visa will be required. Learners should request this through their chosen university.

Can I study anywhere in the world?

Yes. There are no geographical limitations.

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