Originally Published 16 December 2003

Kick-start a new career or start a new hobby this New Year with one of the one hundred Open Studies short courses on offer at the University of Warwick in January 2004. From Archaeology or Art History to Zoology or Zen meridian yoga there is something on offer for everyone.

Students can even burn off extra calories consumed during the festive season with Circle Dance, a novel course that develops practical dance skills through traditional dances from many parts of the world, from Spain to Russia and Israel to Shetland.

The Open Studies programme offers a wide range of learning opportunities for adults at a range of locations in Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull. As mature students often have work and family commitments the programme has been developed to offer daytime, evening courses and day schools.

No formal qualifications are required, just enthusiasm and commitment. Anyone with the particular interest to study can enrol, irrespective of previous educational experience, and most of the courses carry academic credit and can be used as routes to further study.

Subjects starting in January include, where Coventry in the Middle Ages, Creative Writing, Computer Genealogy, Ecology, Geology, History of Fashion, Literature, Media Law, Opera Studies, Philosophy, Psychology and Russian Cultural Heritage.

Kay McEvoy from the Centre of LifeLong Learning at the University of Warwick, said: “Open Studies courses enable people to get back into education in a familiar, local environment. For those who have been away from education for some time and want to learn new skills, the courses help build confidence. As the courses give recognised credits they enable people to get onto the first rung of the ladder when it comes to returning to education.”

“All classes are friendly and supportive, and many people take up courses to socialise and meet with like-minded people.”

Open Studies Certificates consist of weekly two-hour sessions over one academic year. They can be taken in their own right, or may provide an entry route onto the University's Part-time Degree Programme. Each certificate comprises three ten-week terms, termly assessment and study skills support.

Please enrol before 19 December to secure places on the Spring 2004 courses. Tel: 024 7657 3739 or email: OpenStudies@warwick.ac.uk if you would like a printed copy of the brochure posted to you (a Word version is available by email request). Visit link http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/study/cll ">for more information.

Contacts: Kay McEvoy, Centre for Lifelong Learning , University of Warwick, Tel: 02476 524 809, Mobile: 07887 708 436 or Dr Stephen Hill, Academic Director of Studies, Centre for Lifelong Learning, Warwick University, Tel: 02476 524 178, Mobile: 07930 642 623