The Astrology Foundation Course is designed for those who want to begin studying astrology seriously and who feel they are ready to launch into exploring this fascinating language rich in symbolism. The course covers, in depth, the basic building blocks of astrology without which further study is not really possible. It is divided into three modules.

Module 1 :: Module 2 :: Module 3 :: Module 3a :: Module 3b :: Hours of Study Cost of Books :: Admission Requirements :: Module Fees

Module 1 - Building Blocks
An introduction to astrology gives an explanation of the different branches of astrology.

Introduction to the birth or event chart. The main parts of the chart explained.

The Planets:
The Sun, Moon and planets, their stories in myth and their function in chart interpretation.

The Zodiac Signs:
The division of the Zodiac signs into groups of two, three and four in relation to the four elements (Fire, Earth, Air and Water) and the cycle of the seasons; each Zodiac sign individually explained.

The Houses:
How the chart shows specific areas of life; introduction to the Equal and Placidus house systems. The section on the houses includes the Angles (the lenses through which we express ourselves in the world) and angular planets (prominent planets close to the angles in the chart).

The Aspects:
The angles the planets make to each other in the circle, modern aspect orbs and major aspect patterns.

Lessons and Exercises:
There are 9 lessons and exercises of which 6 are assessed by your tutor and 3 are self-assessed.

Module 1 :: Module 2 :: Module 3 :: Module 3a :: Module 3b :: Hours of Study Cost of Books :: Admission Requirements :: Module Fees

Module 2 - Chart Interpretation, Ethics and Philosophy
Writing notes:
How to write up notes for a chart analysis.

Chart synthesis:
How to synthesise the notes into a chart analysis.

Introduction to ethics:
Confidentiality, support and supervision, knowing when to stop giving advice, leaving specific areas to other professionals, dealing with third parties and other ethical issues.

Explaining astrology:
Astrology as art/science, astrology and religion, astrology and science, astrology and psychology.

Introduction to forecasting:
The bases of the two most common forecasting techniques in use, transits and secondary progressions, are explained with an example of them working in practice.

Lessons and Exercises:
There are 10 lessons and 10 exercises of which 6 are assessed by your tutor and 4 are self-assessed. Guidance Notes are sent after self-assessed exercises and after completing exercises on case studies. The exercises include case studies, questions on ethical issues and explaining astrology to the public.

Module 1 :: Module 2 :: Module 3 :: Module 3a :: Module 3b :: Hours of Study Cost of Books :: Admission Requirements :: Module Fees

Module 3 - Astronomy, an Introduction to the History of Astrology and Chart Calculation
This module is divided into two sections which can be bought separately or together.

Module 3a - Astronomy and An Introduction to the History of Astrology

Some understanding of the astronomy of the solar system is essential for students who are seeking a solid foundation in astrology. Clear diagrams are given where relevant. This module covers:

An introduction to the history of astrology:
A summary of the history of astrology throughout the ages.  Students will discover that the history of astrology is tied in very closely with the history of astronomy. The history of astrology is not part of the Foundation Course syllabus as far as exams are concerned.  However, a summary of astrology's history has been included to provide a background to your studies.

The Solar system:
The orbital periods of the Moon and planets; the solar system in relation to the birth/event chart; inferior and superior planets, introduction to Chiron, the Centaurs and the Asteroids.

The Sun and the Moon:
The cycle of the Sun in relation to the seasons - the solstices, equinoxes and cross quarter days; the Moon’s phases, solar and lunar eclipses; the Moon’s nodes; the Moon’s sidereal and synodic month.

Retrograde motion:
The retrograde motions of Mercury and Venus. The retrograde motions of Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.

Measuring time and space:
The different kinds of time: - local mean time, Greenwich mean time, civil time, sidereal time, zone standard, daylight saving time; terrestrial latitude and terrestrial longitude.

The celestial sphere:
The three major co-ordinate systems for measuring planets in space - the ecliptic system, the equatorial system and the horizon system. The astronomy of the angles in the chart (the Ascendant/Descendant, MC/IC).

Lessons and Exercises:
There are 7 lessons and 6 exercises of which 3 are assessed by your tutor and 3 are self-assessed. One lesson is for information only. Guidance Notes are sent after self-assessed exercises.

Module 1 :: Module 2 :: Module 3 :: Module 3a :: Module 3b :: Hours of Study Cost of Books :: Admission Requirements :: Module Fees

 

Module 3b - Chart Calculation
Astrologers frequently use astrological software to calculate and print out charts. However it is essential to know how to calculate charts manually. While there is no requirement to use a computer, you may want to start using computer software early on in your studies, so this module does include information on the use of computers in astrology. The main purpose of this module is to teach you how to read an ephemeris and tables of houses and to give comprehensive instructions on chart calculation (manually) using a midnight or noon ephemeris, using proportional logarithms or a scientific calculator.

Lessons and Exercises: There are 3 lessons and 5 exercises, 4 of which are tutor assessed and 1 self-assessed. They include calculating four charts with interesting patterns, some of them very rare. They cover births in Britain; east and west of the Greenwich Meridian as far away as China, New Zealand, and South America; time zones, and different GMT date to the date given of the event or birth. The exercises in this module cover most of the possible circumstances you are likely to come across when calculating charts.

Module 1 :: Module 2 :: Module 3 :: Module 3a :: Module 3b :: Hours of Study Cost of Books :: Admission Requirements :: Module Fees

 

Hours of Study, Length of Course and Extension Fees
All three modules contain a total number of 31 exercises, Modules 1 and 2 containing 10 each and Module 3 containing 11.   The estimated time for completing all three modules is twelve to eighteen months, or four to six months per module.   Each lesson and exercise can take approximately two to eight hours to complete. Some lessons and exercises may not take very long at all while others may take longer, especially those involving a birth chart analysis.   The time allowed for completion of each module is six months, although it is very likely you will take less time.   If you have not completed a module within six months, your tutor will charge you an extra £10 per tutor-assessed exercise.   If after a further six months you still have not completed the module, your tutor will charge you an extra £15 per tutor-assessed exercise.   If still not completed within another six months, your tutor will charge you an extra £20 per tutor-assessed exercise.   Extension fees are paid directly to your tutor who is acting on behalf of astrologycollege.com. If you have not completed the module within two years, and you wish to continue, the matter should be discussed with the Directors of astrologycollege.com.

Module 1 :: Module 2 :: Module 3 :: Module 3a :: Module 3b :: Hours of Study Cost of Books :: Admission Requirements :: Module Fees

 

Cost of Books and Reference Materials
There are no requirements to buy books for Modules 1,2 and 3a, although a short recommended reading list is given. 

For Module 3b – Chart Calculation, you will need to buy The American Ephemeris for the 20th Century (Michelsen) for noon or midnight (there is a choice).  You do not need to buy The American Ephemeris for the 21st Century, unless you want one anyway.  Prices are subject to change, but in September 2007, The American Ephemeris for the 20th Century (noon) cost £23.00, while the midnight one cost £19.99.  Before buying the American Ephemeris, you should read the introduction to the section on The Guide to Chart Calculation and you will then be in a better position to make an informed choice.  Some students may already have an ephemeris for the 20th century, but not The American Ephemeris.  This may not be a problem but please consult the college by post or email to check that the ephemeris is a reliable one.

You should also buy Raphael’s Astronomical Ephemeris of the Planets Places with Tables of Houses for London, Liverpool and New York.  Current ephemerides cost £4.99.  Any yearly ephemeris will do after 1980, but it would not be advisable to buy the one for 2001, as it is slightly different to the other ones.  It is better to buy the current year’s ephemeris, so you can check where the planets are every day.  If you are enrolling on Module 3 towards the end of the year, from early September say, it may be a good idea to get Raphael’s Ephemeris for the following year.

Module 1 :: Module 2 :: Module 3 :: Module 3a :: Module 3b :: Hours of Study Cost of Books :: Admission Requirements :: Module Fees

 

Admission Requirements
You should have a sound knowledge of arithmetic and have writing skills. If English is not your mother tongue, you must be able to write in English reasonably well. Knowledge of arithmetic is only required if you wish to do the calculation module and take the Certificate exams. Verbal communication skills are very useful to an astrologer but not essential when doing a correspondence course. If you have disabilities affecting speech, the writing medium can always be used instead.

While it may take a little while to discover what astrology has to offer, no formal qualifications are required. There is no need for mathematical knowledge, apart from an ability to add up, subtract, multiply and divide. You only need a standard educational background along with a willingness to explore different ways of looking at yourself and the world using the language of astrology.

Once you have taken Module 1, Modules 2 and 3 (or 3a and 3b) may be taken in your order of preference. Some may prefer to learn chart calculation first, others may prefer to carry on learning how to interpret a chart.

Module 1 :: Module 2 :: Module 3 :: Module 3a :: Module 3b :: Hours of Study Cost of Books :: Admission Requirements :: Module Fees

Fees per Module

From 1 April 2007 Module 1 UK students European students Other overseas students	From 1 April 2007 £ sterling £180.00 £185.00 £190.00
Module 2 UK students European students  Other overseas students	£ sterling                                           £200.00 £205.00    £210.00
Module 3 UK students   European students Other overseas students	£ sterling     £225.00 £230.00 £235.00
Modules 3a) and 3b) separately UK students European students Other overseas students	£ sterling £120.00 £125.00 £130.00

Fees for overseas students cover additional dispatch, postal and administration costs.
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Examinations
Mock Examination papers are available to students of astrologycollege.com and to external candidates. For further information see "Training as a Professional Astrologer" on Diploma Course page and the News page.