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The UK's only distance-learning certificate in Railway Studies is being launched this week

The unique two-year course is offered by the Institute of Railway Studies and Transport History, a renowned academic institute based jointly at the National Railway Museum and the University of York.

The course focuses on the social, political and economic aspects of railway history alongside changing technology. It follows on from the successful launch in 2005 of a new Certificate in Transport History course.

Students can now choose to pursue either an interest in all forms of transport history-from Roman times through to the present day-or a more specialist interest in the history of Britain’s railways from technological, economic and cultural perspectives.

The course consists of specially-designed teaching units and tutor-marked assignments sent to students’ homes. The first year consists of three taught modules, while in the second year students pursue their own research projects under the guidance of tutors.

There will also be opportunities to get together with other like-minded individuals to use the unrivalled resources at the University of York and the York-based National Railway Museum.

Dr Jill Murdoch, course co-ordinator in the Institute, said:

“We are delighted to be relaunching the Certificate in Railway Studies by Distance Learning. It has been a very successful course in the past, and will now run alongside the equally popular Certificate in Transport History, offering students two unique opportunities to learn about the history of transport in Britain.”

Notes for editors

  • There are no formal education qualification requirements for the course. The time requirement is flexible, but students should expect to spend around 12 hours per week on their studies.
  • Interested potential students should contact Dr Jill Murdoch on 01904 685752 or jm111@york.ac.uk for more information, or view http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/irs/
  • The Institute of Railway Studies and Transport History was founded in 1995 as the Institute of Railway Studies. It is a joint initiative of the National Railway Museum and the University of York. Since its foundation, the Institute has become the leading centre for the academic study of railways, offering a wide range of courses and research degrees. Today, the Institute is a centre of excellence for study of the history of all forms of transport.

19 May 2006