Which Course for Genealogists?

People aspiring to become professional genealogists are increasingly seeking to obtain relevant qualifications, both for their own professional development and to enhance their credibility with potential clients.

There are four major providers of courses for people who wish to learn more about English and Welsh genealogical sources and acquire the skills to use them effectively. Three of these providers offer advanced courses leading to qualifications that have been recognised by AGRA as fulfilling some of its admission requirements.

Different courses will suit different people for different reasons, so AGRA does not recommend one course over another, but has produced this overview of the range of options available to enable prospective students to begin to explore which course might be most suitable for them. Further details can be obtained from the websites of the individual providers, who can be contacted directly if any questions remain unanswered.

Major course providers

1. The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies (IHGS) offers a wide range of courses, including traditional tutorials and workshops which are held in Canterbury, with an increasing number available online. The well-established Correspondence Course, which has no fixed timetable, and can be supplemented by optional weekend tutorials in Canterbury, leads to the AGRA-recognised Higher Certificate in Genealogy. This can be followed by the Diploma in Genealogy (DipGen), which gives further exemption from AGRA’s admission requirements. Both qualifications involve taking formal examinations. Submission of a dissertation can lead to the Institute’s highest qualification of Licentiate (LHG).
   Read a review here by Chris Broom.
2. Pharos Tutors offers a wide range of short online courses on genealogical topics. In addition, there are two Family History Skills and Strategies (FHSS) Certificate programmes, at Intermediate and Advanced level, developed and taught jointly with the Society of Genealogists. Individual courses within the certificate programmes can also be taken separately as standalone courses. Those taking the certificate programmes are assessed on each component course, and there are additional assessments during the Advanced Certificate programme. All work is submitted online. Successful completion of the two certificate programmes leads to the AGRA-recognised Family History Skills and Strategies (Advanced) Certificate.
   Read a review here by Jane Roberts.
3. The University of Strathclyde offers courses in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies, leading to the successive qualifications of Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, and master’s degree (MSc), all of which are recognised by AGRA. Although the courses are all at postgraduate level, holding a first degree is not an essential prerequisite, as other qualifications and experience can be taken into account. Different options are available for part-time study, and it is also possible to take a full-time MSc. All assessment is based on submitted coursework, so there is no requirement to visit the university.
   Read a review here by Nick Blair.
4. The Society of Genealogists offers a large number of courses and workshops, held in London and online, on a wide range of topics relevant to professional genealogists at all stages of their careers. The Society is also a partner of Pharos Tutors in the provision of its Family History Skills and Strategies programmes.

Choosing a course

Although all the courses leading to recognised qualifications share a large amount of common core content, there are significant differences in relation to when and how learning materials are provided and students’ progress is assessed. Major differences in relation to structure, course delivery and modes of assessment are summarised below:

	IHGS	Pharos	Strathclyde
Structure & timescale	The Correspondence Course is made up of 24 modules, and is completed at the student’s own pace. The recommended length of time to complete the course is between 2 and 3 years.	The Intermediate Certificate has a flexible structure. Students are allowed up to 3 years to complete the programme but many complete in 18 months to 2 years. The Advanced Certificate has a specified structure and takes 2 years.	All courses have a specified structure, but there is some choice of timescale (e.g. the Postgraduate Certificate can be completed in one or two years). There is also a full-time MSc option which takes 18 months.
Course delivery	Online. (A traditional correspondence course is also available.) Students may also attend optional Zoom tutorials and workshops.	Online.	Online.
Mode(s) of assessment	Continuous assessment of submitted work and a formal examination.	Continuous assessment of submitted work.	Continuous assessment of submitted work.

IHGS is the only course provider to require students to take a traditional examination, and also the only provider to offer optional face-to-face teaching, providing an opportunity to meet tutors and fellow students in person.

Despite Strathclyde’s course fees being the highest of the three providers, taking a structured university course, and having the opportunity to acquire a master’s degree, may be attractive options for some potential applicants. Full- and part-time distance-learning students have access to a range of resources available to all students at universities, such as downloadable software and a wide selection of electronic books and journals. Applicants for the full-time MSc may be eligible for a postgraduate master’s loan.

Qualifications in relation to joining AGRA

The full range of qualifications recognised by AGRA comprises:

IHGS	Higher Certificate in Genealogy	→	Diploma in Genealogy	→	Licentiate
Pharos	Family History Skills and Strategies (Advanced) Certificate
Strathclyde	Postgraduate Certificate	→	Postgraduate Diploma	→	MSc
Dundee	Postgraduate Certificate	→	Postgraduate Diploma	→	MLitt

The University of Dundee no longer accepts new entrants to its courses in Family and Local History, but the three qualifications listed above continue to be recognised by AGRA provided that the Skills and Sources for Family and Local History in England module was included.

Associate applicants holding a recognised qualification are not required to undertake a pedigree exercise.

Membership applicants holding a recognised qualification are only required to submit one client report for assessment rather than three. Applicants holding an IHGS Diploma or the Family History Skills and Strategies (FHSS) Advanced Certificate (awarded jointly by Pharos Tutors and the Society of Genealogists) are not required to undertake the research assignment set for all other applicants, as one element of both programmes involves a similar exercise. There are therefore three distinct routes to AGRA Membership, as illustrated below:

No recognised qualification	IHGS Higher Certificate OR Pharos Family History Skills and Strategies (Advanced) Certificate OR Strathclyde Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or MSc OR Dundee Postgraduate Certificate*, Diploma* or MLitt*	IHGS Diploma
3 submitted client reports	1 submitted client report	1 submitted client report
↓	↓
Research assignment	Research assignment
↓	↓	↓
Palaeography exercise	Palaeography exercise	Palaeography exercise
↓	↓	↓
Interview	Interview	Interview

^* Must include the Skills and Sources for Family and Local History in England module.

Further information on AGRA’s admission requirements for Associates and Members is available in the Joining AGRA section.

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