Programme Specification for Personal & Career Development University Certificate
This programme is no longer recruiting.
|
Final award |
University Certificate |
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Intermediate awards available |
N/A |
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UCAS code |
N/A |
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Details of professional body accreditation |
N/A |
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Relevant QAA Benchmark statements |
There are no relevant subject benchmark statements. |
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Date specification last up-dated |
June 2012 |
Profile
The summary - UCAS programme profile
BANNER BOX:
This programme provides students the opportunity to acquire a foundation in academic skills and learning adequate to proceed to degree level study.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Admission is on the basis of aptitude, interest, enthusiasm for learning and suitable relevant experience. All applicants are interviewed individually (30 minutes) by professionally qualified IAG Advisors and are required to complete in an in-depth application form which serves also as an diagnostic indication of critical suitability for entry to the programme.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
The programme encourages and enables students to become familiar with a higher education setting. Students acquire a range of study skills essential to success at degree level study. The programme consists of tutor-led sessions in the university as well as access to dedicated learning resources designed to equip students as independent learners.
University Certificate in Personal & Career Development at UEL
- The programme provides the opportunity for those learners who do not hold the initial standard entry qualifications to achieve proceed to higher education programmes in UEL via this ‘kitemarked’ foundation.
- The foundation of life skills, experience and knowledge within a structured HE context provides the basis for these transferable skills to be enhanced within a formal academic environment.
- The programme permits learners the opportunity to negotiate progress onto degree pathways of their choice.
- This programme is a valuable tool for the non-traditional learner, providing the skills and required to advance to further study.
Programme structure
An introductory 20 credit level 0 module, taught through ‘formative’ methods, acts as induction and prerequisite to a second, subsequent 20 credit module at level 1, in which key skills of scholarship are encouraged and developed.
Learning environment
Students study in a wide range of learning environments, from seminars, lectures, workshops, site tours, group work, tutorials, scheduled clinics, in-house activities such as ICT, Web-CT and on-line researching.
Assessment
Students are required to complete and pass the coursework described in the programme Workbook. Both modules are assessed by specialist academic advisors/personal tutors, and moderated by tutors from UEL. All portfolios are reviewed by the External Examiner. Students are required to pass each of the three coursework components of the Level 0 module (CC0200 Career Development) before proceeding to Level 1 study (CC1206 Learning to Learn). Students successfully completing the programme are awarded 20 credits at Level 0 and 20 credits at Level 1.
Work experience/placement opportunities
N/A
Project work
Project work is a feature of both modules.
Added value
The programme develops key transferable study skills and the confidence to work as an independent learner within a higher education environment.
IS THIS THE PROGRAMME FOR ME?
If you are interested in...
- Moving on to a degree, through:
- acquiring the necessary academic skills and confidence to succeed at degree level study o gaining experience of university life and environment
- developing key foundational skills, building-up to level 1 standard o access to UEL’s learning facilities.
- Managing time around competing schedules and commitments
- Working with others
- making an informed choice about which programme is right for you
If you enjoy...
- Working in groups
- Enhancing your existing skills, knowledge and experience
- Using computers
- The opportunity to develop and extend skills of scholarship
- Finding out about higher education learning opportunities
- Working to deadlines
- Working independently
- Working collaboratively
- Taking part in seminars and lectures
If you want...
Progress to degree-level study
Your future career
Students are counselled and advised about suitable progression routes. The university is committed to supporting mature applicants from ‘access’ routes such as this one and most of the schools in UEL recognise and welcome graduates from New Beginnings 2 as an adequate basis for entry to their BA/BSc. programmes. While it is naturally a matter for admissions tutors to arrive at decisions on a case by case basis in respect of entry to their particular programmes, NB2 graduates have customarily been accepted onto a wide range of BA/BSc. programmes in the following schools:
Education
Psychology
Health & Bioscience
Social Sciences, Media & Cultural Studies
Business School
From these, students may subsequently progress to careers in teaching, public service, the caring professions, arts or commerce.
How we support you
Through:
- Personal tutor support
- Assignment clinics outside of class hours
- Individual advice on student finance
- Presentations from Student Services, Student Union, undergraduates
- Tailored IT workshops and individual tuition
- Application form clinics
- Access to a wide range of study skills resources such as CD Roms, videos and books provided within the facility of the Skillzones
- Individual IAG sessions
- Tours of the LRC and campus
Bonus factors
The opportunity to work with returning-students of like-mind, forming a learning community drawn from an immense diversity of backgrounds and experience
Outcomes
Programme aims and learning outcomes
What is this programme designed to achieve?
This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- experience different modes of teaching and learning in H.E.
- prepare students for degree-level studies
- provide the means and the confidence to prosper in a higher education community and environment
What will you learn?
Knowledge
- subject-centred study skills
- The ability to reflect and analyse personal career and development in order to enhance educational opportunities
- Gain a foundation of knowledge and understanding designed to facilitate progression to degree-level studies
Thinking skills
- Applying the Harvard referencing system
- Presentation of work according to scholarly conventions
- Analysing materials and resources
Subject-Based Practical skills
- Research skills aligned to a specific topic – citation, referencing
- Report writing
- essay writing
Skills for life and work (general skills)
- IT skills e.g. word processing, sending emails with attachments, on-line searching
- Application forms. How to create successful application.
Presentation skills and techniques within a learning and work environment
Structure
The programme structure
Introduction
All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.
One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).
Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:
- 0 - equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
- 1 - equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 2 - equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 3 - equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- M - equivalent in standard to a Masters degree
Credit rating
The overall credit-rating of this programme is 20 credits at Level 0 and 20 credits at Level 1.
Typical duration
The expected duration is 14 weeks in a part-time mode. The programme is taught during the weekdays, evening and weekends. The programme is delivered on two sites: Docklands and Stratford. The programme is suitable to those who are in full-time or part-time employment, who are carers or have other responsibilities.
How the teaching year is divided
Both modules will be offered in Semesters A and B, enabling students to apply for admission to undergraduate programmes commencing in February and September.
What you will study when
|
LEVEL |
TITLE |
CREDITS |
|
0 |
Career Development |
20 |
|
1 |
Learning to Learn |
20 |
Requirements for gaining an award
In order to gain the Certificate in Personal & Career Development you will need to obtain 40 credits including:
- 20 credits at level 0, Career Development (CC 0200)
- 20 credits at level 1, Learning to Learn (CC 1206)
In order to gain the Certificate in Career & Personal Development for the 20 level 0 credits students are required to complete the first module Career Development.
Assessment
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning
List here the key teaching and learning methods used. In order to demonstrate that you have covered the learning outcomes it may be useful to sub-divide this as follows
Knowledge is developed through
- Seminars and lectures
- Group work
- Individual tutorials
Thinking skills are developed through
- Lectures provided alongside class handouts
- Samples of work are supplied with tutor led sessions on advice and guidance
- Using a wide range of study skills materials such as The Study Skills Handbook by Stella Cottrell
Practical skills are developed through
- Workshops provided by a wide range of staff with the necessary expertise
- Step by step guidance from seminars, group work and lectures
- Guidance and advice from tutor led sessions
Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through
- In-house activities and scheduled events
- Application form clinics to provide one to one advice and guidance
- Study skills resources, group work, research and tutor guidance
Assessment
Knowledge is assessed by
- Classroom observations
- Submission of attendance and assignments
- Tutorials
Thinking skills are assessed by
- Whether the Harvard convention for referencing has been observed correctly
- Whether the assignment criteria has been observed
- Evidence of a range of reading and references from sufficient and appropriate sources
Practical skills are assessed by
- To be able to demonstrate a wide range of research skills
- To be efficient in the ability to be able to format differing forms of writing
- To provide evidence of original and critical thinking
Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by
- To demonstrate the ability to access the ICT packages and the IT network account
- To be able to apply the necessary codes of practice
- To be confident and fully prepared in the process of presenting ideas efficiently
Quality
How we assure the quality of this programme
Before this programme started
Before the programme started, the following was checked:
- there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
- adequate resources would be in place;
- the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
- the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
- the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
- the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.
This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.
How we monitor the quality of this programme
The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:
- external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
- statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
- student feedback.
Drawing on this and other information programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the University's Quality Standing Committee.
Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.
The role of the programme committee
This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the University's quality assurance procedures.
The role of external examiners
The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:
- To ensure the standard of the programme;
- To ensure that justice is done to individual students.
External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:
- Approving exam papers/assignments;
- Attending assessment boards;
- Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks;
- Ensuring that regulations are followed;
- Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future
Listening to the views of students
The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:
- Module evaluations
- Student presentations on programmes for every cohort
- Staff evaluations and Tutor Meetings
- Programme Committee
Students are notified of the action taken through:
- Circulating the minutes of Programme and Tutors’ Meetings
- Producing student success stories which are inserted on to the programme website
- Providing details on the programme website
Listening to the views of others
The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties: N/A
Further Information
Alternative locations for studying this programme
| Location | Which elements? | Taught by UEL staff | Taught by local staff | Method of Delivery |
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Where you can find further information
This 40 credit certificate makes a strong and sustained contribution to UEL’s Widening Participation strategy. Students joining this programme are usually unfamiliar with the processes of university application and would not ordinarily apply directly for University entry. The programme provides pastoral and academic support, key study skills and familiarises NB2 students with the culture of HE, adequate to equip these non-traditional applicants with the skills and confidence required for degree study.
Further information about this programme is available from:
- The UEL web site (http://www.uel.ac.uk)
- The student handbook
- The UEL Study Skills handbook
- UEL Manual of Regulations and Policies http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- UEL Quality Manual http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- Regulations for the Academic Framework http://www.uel.ac.uk/academicframework/
- Departmental web pages (http://www.social-work.org.uk)
- The Post- Qualifying Award in Social Work and Graduate Diploma (PQSW) Social Work Studies handbook gives details of Post qualifying pathways
- The Social Work at UEL Brochure gives details of programmes at all levels for social workers including post-graduate, post-qualifying programmes based at the Tavistock And Portman NHS Trust
- Current External examiners
- External examiner reports (available from UEL virtual learning environment (UELPlus or Moodle))
