Public services encompass the range of services provided by state institutions including the fields of health, education and social care. The modernisation agenda for the public services has presented state and quasi-state institutions with a complex range of new and continually evolving imperatives and challenges. In order to respond to these public services institutions have realised the need to develop more sophisticated management competences appropriate to the emergent post-bureaucratic modes of organizing and ad hoc and 'networked' decision making.

UEL already offers a successful MBA Public Services for more senior personnel in state bodies.
This programme allows current or aspirant public servants to upgrade their HND or equivalent level of completed study to honours degree level. This programme is, therefore, an important additional learning element for people who wish to pursue a career in public services management.

Key features of this programme include:

• Facilitates upgrade of HND in business management or equivalent study to achieve an honours degree
• Study at your own pace to develop your knowledge and improve your prospects
• Flexible entry requirements for mature students (over 21) with intakes in October, January, April and July.
• An opportunity to begin your studies at any point during the year
• As there are no classes, students are encouraged to maintain communication electronically with their module tutor
• The freedom to continue working while pursuing your studies
• Academic support from a subject specialist tutor
• Help and guidance from our distance learning advice team
• An opportunity for students from a wide range of locations and varied educational contexts to interact and exchange ideas
• Four assessment points per year (January, April, July and October)
• The flexibility to take and pay for modules individually

The BA Public Services Management programme compromises a prior completed HND in Business management or an equivalent qualification and 6 'top up' 20 point credit modules at level 3:

• Researching in Business and Management
• Employee Relations
• Critical Issues in Public Service Employment
• Corporate Strategy
• Citizen Focused Service Delivery
• Project (Dissertation)

You may take a maximum of 120 credits per year. The programme is designed to be flexible and you can take modules simultaneously according to your individual situation.

The programme is delivered exclusively through distance learning. Learning will be supported through study guides accompanying a core textbook, and through the use of the RDI online student community virtual learning environment (VLE).

The main purpose of the study guide is to help you to make the most effective use of the core textbook and other resources. It provides clear structuring, routeing and signposting, to establish a context for learning. It highlights key concepts, models and frameworks and it clearly indicates to you the sections of the textbook that you should study.

The study guide encourages deep learning through the use of activities, self-assessment questions and other formative assessments. Self-assessment questions enable you to check your progress - ; by comparing your answers with sample answers; you can assess for yourself how well you have met the learning outcomes for a particular section of the study guide. Coursework is also set for completion; feedback is provided by your academic tutors on an individual basis.

Each module is accompanied by a site in the VLE, with discussion facilities that will enable students to discuss and resolve issues related to their studies. In addition, the module tutor will use this facility to address any common academic issues, and to contact students where necessary. It is essential therefore that you have easy and regular access to the Internet and reliable email.

Whilst much of your work will be individual, enabling you to set your own schedule, for some modules you will be expected to participate in group discussions or chat sessions, or to work together with other distance learning students as a group on a project as part of your formative assessment.

The BA (Hons) in Public Services Management places a significant emphasis on coursework assignments as well as formal examinations. There will be 4 assessment points per academic year (in January, April, July and October). Students may take up to three years to study a particular module, but must take all components of the module's assessment for the same assessment point.

You will receive specific guidance for the project module, so you will be well prepared. Your project may be based on primary data but projects based entirely upon secondary data or published sources will also be acceptable. You will also find that mini-projects or group work exercises feature in some of the modules.

All projects are expected to address a specific research question or else test a hypothesis. You will be allocated a personal tutor with expertise in the subject area, with regular email contact arranged in advance.

Studying for a degree is not just about acquiring knowledge but is also about developing a range of skills and confidence which are valued by employers. The programme is designed to help you develop knowledge, skills and experience. We will help you to reflect upon this and recognise how you have developed and what the evidence for this is; over the course of the programme you will develop a personal development plan / portfolio. This will help you to present yourself in the best possible light to employers.

BA (Hons) Public Services Management has been designed to be flexible and customisable to suit the busy demands of individual students' lives. Students may study when they wish and decide on how many modules they wish to take at any given time. By successfully completing a distance learning degree programme, you not only display relevant knowledge, skills and understanding to an employer but also that you are able to manage your time effectively, that you are self-motivated and already have a good work ethic - ; all of which will give you the edge you need to find success.

• public services organisations and their customers
• core public services business functions provided to customers
• the management of public sector resources
• the impact of external environment on the provision of public services
• how public sector organisations make sure they deliver services effectively
• the right way to manage people
• gaining flexible employment- related skills

• the challenge of thinking about many different ways in which public services can be delivered
• the challenge of understanding the links between public sector organisations and the private sector
• thinking about how the modernisation agenda for the public services has presents a number of challenges.
• finding solutions to these challenges
• using a virtual learning environment
• working online with others from different cultures

• a degree in public services management
• knowledge and skills that can be used in a wide range of career settings
• to study in a flexible way, deciding when you want to study
• to take control of your career pathway
• to be able to apply for a broad range of management jobs in the public sector
• to prepare for higher academic qualifications (such as the MBA)

There is a wide range of careers open to you within public services management including managers working in education, health and many other government departments.
Graduates may also progress to study at a higher level, for example the Master of Business Administration, or to take professional qualifications in their chosen fields.

During your studies, you will be supported by the RDI Distance Learning Support Co-ordinator (DLSC). The DLSC acts as a first point of contact for you, addressing the majority of student queries and referring only those that relate to academic matters to the module tutor. The DLSC will also contact students who seem to be falling behind and will offer advice and encouragement to them.
For each module you will receive a comprehensive study guide and at least one core textbook, reading pack; study skills handbook; you will also have access to a range of resources on the RDI VLE. On enrolment, you will be provided with introductory materials on the use of the VLE.

We also provide useful advice and information in our Student Handbook and online at www.rdi.co.uk. Our Distance Learning Student Charter sets out our commitments to you and our expectations from you, and is available online at www.uel.ac.uk/dl/students/student_docs.htm.