Diploma Frequently Asked Questions
Dip.Sp.Comm.
Can I put the initials Dip.Sp.Comm. after my name?
How do I enrol on the Diploma?
What is the Syllabus for the Diploma course?
Why is online learning growing at 30% per year?
What is the focus of the Diploma?
For whom is the Diploma designed?
Why do you ask for my date of birth?
What qualifications do I need?
Are the any qualification exemptions?
What equipment will I need?
How many hours of study are required?
Are any specialist IT skills required on the Diploma?
Who will be my tutor?
When can I join the course?
How does the assessment process work?
How much is the Diploma's course fee?
How do I convert my local currency fee into pounds sterling?
What payment options are there?
How do I enrol on the Diploma?
 |
Can I put the initials Dip.Sp.Comm. after my name?
The Diploma in Spoken Communication is an interactive open learning qualification designed and provided by the College of Public Speaking. Delivered entirely through the internet, it is open to UK and international students of all ages. Accredited by EdExcel (encouraging talks in progress), it entitles those successfully completing all course elements to place the initials Dip.Sp.Comm. after their names.
What is the focus of the Diploma?
Strong communication skills are the cornerstone of professional success and personal fulfilment. The Dip.Sp.Comm. course focuses upon effective spoken communication and, through its tutors, it guides and supports its students towards a high level of proficiency in preparing and delivering all forms of speeches, presentations and other applications of the spoken word. It also deals with meetings, interviews, debates, informal discussions, disputes and arguments, radio and television participation, heckling, speech evaluation and creative listening.
In addition, the Diploma course extends to the social, psychological and physiological features of relevance to spoken communication and enables those participating to reflect upon their own performance as speakers within that wider context.
For whom is the Diploma designed?
The course programme for the Diploma is of relevance to those for whom effective spoken communication is or will be a significant part of their professional and/or social roles, including, for example:
- those pursuing a career in corporate communication
- supervisors, managers, executives and professional and technical staff members
- those who give presentations to Boards of Directors or senior management
- those who deliver presentations at seminars, workshops or conferences
- those who attend meetings where contributions are expected
- trainers and training managers
- sales and marketing specialists
- university undergraduates, postgraduates and faculty members
- aspiring or practicing politicians at national or local levels
- representatives and members of professional associations
- legal staff; solicitors, lawyers and training contract interviews
Why do you ask for my date of birth?
Some names are very popular, like John Smith, Paul Jones, Mohammed Khan. We need to be able to differentiate you on the system at the time of enrolment, otherwise data could be overwritten. Once you have been assigned a Diploma Student Identifier (which you must use with your file submissions), your date of birth field will be erased. There is also the possibility that John Smith and his son could share the same address. We'll also be very careful not to assign students with similar names to the same tutor. It could get quite confusing.
What equipment will I need?
All that is required is a video camera and a broadband or equivalent internet connection. Most modern mobile phones have a camera and microphone suitable for recording speeches in the home or office environment. On the iPhone there is a facility whereby you record your speech and within moments you have uploaded and can access it on Youtube.
Can I record live in a meeting or class?
Live recordings are a wonderful development opportunity in that you should be able to sense if the audience are with you. This can be done at college or in a Toastmasters meeting or any other group setting. If it is not possible for you to arrange, don't worry.
How many hours of study are required?
A lot will depend on your previous experience of speaking and your current level. Including the theoretical and practical exercises as well as the research and analysis time involved, each module would take between 20-30 hours. As the Diploma is flexible and open-ended in terms of time, you can fit this study in around your busy schedule.
Are any specialist IT skills required on the Diploma?
No, if you can create Word documents and send them as attachments via email you will be fine. Similarly, when you upload your speeches to the internet, if you follow the instructions in your Introductory Course Notes you should not have any problems. If you can upload any small video file on to Youtube you will be successful. If there are any problems technically you can always call or email our technical support.
Who will be my tutor?
Each student will be allocated a personal tutor who will be a highly-competent speaker, fully conversant with the underlying theory, and skilled in guiding and encouraging open learning students. Tutors will introduce each assignment, provide constructive comments as each is submitted, offer especial advice regarding the final assignment, and respond thoughtfully to each student's queries and suggestions as they arise.
What qualifications do I need?
The entry requirement is a UK bachelor's degree or international equivalent.
Students for whom English is not the mother tongue should be able to communicate clearly, both in writing and orally in English.
Are there any qualification exemptions?
There are exemptions and this will be managed on a case by case basis.
When can I join the course?
To ensure that International and UK students' entry to the Dip.Sp.Comm. receives the best possible care and attention from our faculty staff, just 25 students are allowed to join every three months. The intake closing dates are 31st December, 31st March, 30th June and 30th September.
How long will the course of study take?
It is recommended that students devote at least four weeks to each module: on that basis the entire Diploma programme may be completed in one year. Many students, especially those in full-time employment or with other responsibilities and commitments, will take longer. There is a two year maximum time period. There are exceptions for serious illness or other extraordinary factors.
How much is the Diploma's course fee?
The total cost of the Dip.Sp.Comm. programme is £1500.00 or approximately $2400.00 US Dollars. It includes all materials, the provision of advice and the marking of assignments and other services provided by the tutor, the assessment of the final assignment, the certification registration, and the provision (by first class mail - and by air to any international destination) of the diploma itself.
How do I convert my local currency fee into pounds sterling?
If you need an updated figure for your local currency, go to Currency Converter. Put pounds sterling in the top box and your local currency in the bottom box. Make a note of this page as you are leaving this web site to do the currency conversion.
What payment options are there?
Payment can be made by PayPal and electronic banking, as well as SWIFT and Iban for international students.
Once you have successfully enrolled you will be sent an invoice within the next few days.
No course documents can be released until payment has been acknowledged by our banking partners. This can take up to five days depending on the option selected.
How do I enrol on the Diploma?
Click here for the Diploma Enrolment Form.
-
The College of Public Speaking is committed to the development of effective communication throughout all strands of society, both within the UK and internationally. CoPS's trainers and lecturers devote a proportion of their time and expertise to a myriad of pro bono projects.