BSLT distance learning

The British School of Leather Technology will have a stand at Tanning Tech. The school is aware that some students find it difficult to study in the UK for extended time periods. It has, therefore, developed distance learning provision for some courses. The first courses to be offered are the Master of Business Administration (MBA - Leather) and the MSc in Leather Technology. These courses are offered from January 2005. The school is now offering a short course in Leather Technology which runs in the autumn term. This course will appeal to those who wish to study leather technology in England and, within a three-month timescale, substantially develop their theoretical and practical understanding of the science and technology of leather manufacture. Research is a very important part of the school's activity which enriches and enhances teaching and offers postgraduate students the opportunity to develop their research competence by studying for MPhil and PhD. The research programme includes projects on area yield, tanning science, leather finishing, leather biodegradability and the application of computerised image analysis to leather characterisation. The research department benefits from a major investment in equipment and infrastructure, including variable pressure scanning electron microscopy with X-Ray micro-analysis, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, mechanical testing and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. As part of University College Northampton, the school benefits from all the facilities and support (information technology, library, accommodation blocks and international student support office) that may be expected of a new British university. In addition, belonging to UCN allows the school the exciting prospect of developing courses with new subject combinations, for example Business (MBA-Leather) is now available. A Leather Fashion course is under development. E-mail: bslt@northampton.ac.uk