Postgraduate: Forensic psychology; Painting and Drawing diploma; e-learning

Child witnesses were the subject of a talk last week by the head of a forensic psychology masters course.

Child witnesses were the subject of a talk last week by the head of a forensic psychology masters course. Dr Clare Wilson of Kent University was addressing the Hertfordshire Family Forum, a bi-annual event for professionals involved in social and legal family matters. She looked at when and why children may lie or keep secrets, and how they may be open to suggestion by adults. Dr Wilson has trained social workers, police officers, psychologists and lawyers to interview children, and advised the Government on videotaping children's evidence. Her research interests include children's eyewitness memory and their understanding of criminal intent. For details of the forensic psychology MSc at Kent see www.kent.ac.uk/psychology

* West Dean College, a private arts and crafts institution set in a beautiful estate in the South Downs, is offering two new courses in partnership with Sussex University. Painting and Drawing, and Art and Site are postgraduate diplomas to be run by West Dean and validated by Sussex. The former covers advanced practical skills and "historical and contextual studies". "Students will develop a sophisticated understanding of the histories, techniques and methods of making paintings and drawings, alongside an awareness of the social, political, or moral perspectives found within them," says the course leader Dr Edward Winters. Art and Site also blends practice with academic study. Students will look at how sculpture has developed as a contemporary art practice. "Sculpture is no longer inhibited by the niche or the pedestal," and, "claims its own imaginative space into which the spectator is placed," says Dr Winters. The diploma is aimed at fine art, sculpture, architecture and landscape architecture graduates. West Dean offers eight other postgraduate diplomas - six in conservation and restoration (books, ceramics, clocks, antique furniture, fine metalwork and buildings interiors and sites), as well as tapestry weaving and making early stringed musical instruments. See www.westdean.org.uk for more details.

* People with full-time jobs, international students, disabled people and working mothers are taking MBAs at Liverpool University - via e-learning. The students are part of a community of 2,000 people in more than 80 countries enrolled on the university's "KIT eLearning" programme. Modules are delivered one at a time and last six to eight weeks, but students are able to take breaks when work or personal commitments demand it. The course is arranged around small online "classes", and some assignments involve collaboration between only three to five students, "so you are a name, not a number," says spokeswoman Christina Bell. Liverpool recently announced a deal with the American online degree provider Sylvan Learning Systems, and plans to become the UK's biggest provider of online degrees. The university currently offers the MBA and a MSc in IT. To download a brochure, visit www.kitcampus.com

g.mccann@independent.co.uk