Courses
- Courses Overview
- Correspondence Course In Genealogy
- Awaken Your Ancestors
- Broadening Your Family Tree
- Completing Your Ancestral Journey
- Heraldry
- Tracing Your British Ancestors from Overseas
- Day Courses In Genealogy & Heraldry
- Weekend Tutorials
- Qualifications
- Sources and Citations
- Careers In Genealogy
The scheme of study and instruction, with the associated series of assessments and certificates, is based on a tried and tested syllabus formulated after many years of experience.
It fits students to apply their abilities to the methods and practice of genealogical research. It also provides a grounding for those wishing to follow a more broadly-based educational programme with a view to applying the skills acquired to the academic pursuit of the subject.
All our distance learning courses are accredited by the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC) which was set up by the government in 1968 to monitor and enhance quality in training and education. The ODLQC is the guardian of quality in open and distance learning and is now independent.
Universities and government bodies recognise The Institute's standards and qualifications for several purposes. Graduates of the IHGS Higher Certificate and Diploma in Genealogy are granted differing exemptions for some elements of the Association of Genealogists & Researchers in Archives (AGRA) membership application process.
The Institute's highest academic award is the Licentiateship of The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies (L.H.G.). This is awarded to those who have demonstrated by examination, by thesis or dissertation, and by practice, their specialist ability at a professional standard. Fellowship (F.H.G.) is awarded to those who have added significant contributions to the studies and service to The Institute.
Students may attend a number of evening and residential courses, or gain knowledge and experience through other learning methods. There is also a more comprehensive course by home study, The Correspondence Course, which is accredited by the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council.
The following table illustrates the various routes of study and qualifications that are available.
| Awaken Your Ancestors Correspondence Course in Genealogy |
Ten Modules - Elementary Level | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| IHGS Elementary Level in Genealogy | |||
| Broadening Your Family Tree Correspondence Course in Genealogy |
Ten Modules - Intermediate Level | ||
| IHGS Intermediate Level in Genealogy | |||
| Completing Your Ancestral Journey Correspondence Course in Genealogy |
Twenty Modules – Advanced Level | ||
| IHGS Advanced Level in Genealogy | Direct Enrolment | ||
| IHGS Correspondence Course in Genealogy | Seventeen Lectures and Assignments | IHGS Correspondence Course in Genealogy | |
| Twenty-Four Lectures & Assignments | |||
| IHGS Higher Certificate in Genealogy | |||
| Research Task Evidence of Competence IHGS Library Assessment and Examination Paper |
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| IHGS Diploma in Genealogy (DipGen) |
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| Thesis | |||
| Licentiateship of The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies (L.H.G.) |
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Notes:
- Students who have been awarded the IHGS Advanced Level in Genealogy and enrol on the IHGS Correspondence Course in Genealogy are exempt lectures 1 to 8. Instead, students will complete a consolidated introductory lecture before advancing to lecture nine.
- Students who enrol directly onto the IHGS Correspondence Course or students who do not possess the IHGS Advanced Level in Genealogy qualification will not be exempt lectures 1 to 8.
IHGS Examinations
Examinations will be based on the content of the Syllabus and graded as follows:
| Level | Syllabus Topics |
|---|---|
| IHGS Elementary Level in Genealogy | 1-6 |
| IHGS Intermediate Level in Genealogy | 1-12 |
| IHGS Advanced Level in Genealogy | 1-24 |
Students submitting themselves to the relevant test based on this syllabus of study do so voluntarily. The tests for the Elementary and Intermediate tests are composed of short multiple choice questions and will include a practical exercise in abstracting and assimilating information from original documentation for the compilation into an accurate family tree. No essay writing will be required. These two tests will be of one-hour's duration each.
For details of the fees for enroling for the examinations please contact registrar@ihgs.ac.uk
Sample Papers
» IHGS Elementary Level in Genealogy sample paper
