Training & Skills

Higher Education Through Work

The success of NVQs, which revolves around work-based learning rather than attendance at college, has encouraged fresh interest in the University Level Qualifications Learning Through Work initiative. Participating universities, that allow part-time, off-campus studies, enable you or your staff to acquire degrees or post-graduate qualifications without attending a university. Learners use work-based evidence for their assessments. There are no final exams.

There is no single program, each participating university sets the options available, the methods for learning, the associated support, the fees and the assessment requirements.

How it works

Just as with NVQs and Apprenticeships there is no set course. Instead there is a framework that allows a learner to study a variety of modules that together make up a very specific package of learning for their particular industry, job and career development.

Study, which is usually done after hours unless the employer makes time available during the day, is often done online, though very occasional attendance at seminars is required by some participating universities. The learner can proceed at their own pace, using a variety of learning resources: reading matter, video, interactive material etc.

Assessment is through a portfolio of evidence built from real work situations - projects, policy development, contribution to management, development of new procedures and techniques, business achievements and so on.

Qualifications

A learner can achieve enough credits to obtain a university degree (360 credits), a post-graduate qualification to add to their existing degree or can choose to study just those modules that will deliver the best benefit to their role, company or personal development. Each module is worth multiples of 20 credits, depending on the complexity.

Costs

Fees vary from university to university but are usually calculated per 20 credit module. You should enquire with the university you are interested in to get accurate fee information. As a guideline Teesside University charges £195 per 20 credit module. You only need to pay for the modules you are actively studying.

Advantages

There are a number of significant advantages to gaining a university level qualification this way:

• The learner doesn't need to leave their job. All study is either through work, applying the techniques and theories they have learned to every day workplace situations, or outside working hours.
• The learner doesn't need to travel to a university, or be tied to a university near their home. The courses are all online, so a learner can choose the best university for their course, rather than the nearest one.
• Previous qualifications - such as A Levels - aren't required, though previous higher qualifications can count towards the credit total. There are various levels of study and the learner begins at the one most appropriate for them, moving up to higher levels as they become able.
• The 'course' is completely relevant to your industry, business and role. The framework allows a tailor made course to be developed, rather than having to follow a pre-determined one.
• The benefits are felt immediately. Because the learner is still working, and because the course encourages and supports the application of theories and skills in the workplace, the benefits to the business are felt immediately - not after three years, the length of a traditional degree course.

Participating universities

The following universities participate in the Learning Through Work initiative:

Getting more information

Because there is no overall program, there is no single source of information - each university sets it's own modules, assessment criteria, fees and support. The first step, therefore, is to browse the web links to see what the universities offer, then contact them directly for more information.

You can also view the Learning Through Work micro-site http://www.learndirect-ltw.co.uk/ at the Learn Direct website, for more information about the initiative.