BA (Hons) Lifelong Learning and Skills

Summary 2012/13

• Offers an essential follow-up for recently qualified teachers in the sector to extend their development to a full Honours Degree;
• Provides a higher level academic programme for experienced staff, focussed on their professional practice and offering a pathway to postgraduate study;
• Provides graduate level study in a sector where only 35% of teaching staff are graduates. (Data from most recent LLUK SIR).

This is a Level 6 conversion programme, giving you the opportunity to progress from a foundation degree (or equivalent) to an honours degree in a relevant subject.

The programme is designed to offer an academic and professional development opportunity for non-graduate professionals within the post-compulsory sector, providing a route to academic study at postgraduate level and underpinning professional development in the workplace.

2012 Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement is a Foundation Degree in Post-Compulsory Education and Training (or similar) providing 240 credits, at least 120 of which have been achieved at Level 5. You will also require GCSE grade C, or an appropriate equivalent, in English and Mathematics. If you don’t hold the relevant GCSEs, Edge Hill offers equivalency tests.

You must be working in a recognised sector of Lifelong Learning but there is no stipulation that your employment is full-time. It should, however, be sustainable over the duration of the programme and offer you the likelihood of successfully completing the assessment activities identified.

Summary 2013/14

• Offers an essential follow-up for recently qualified teachers in the sector to extend their development to a full Honours Degree;
• Provides a higher level academic programme for experienced staff, focussed on their professional practice and offering a pathway to postgraduate study;
• Provides graduate level study in a sector where only 35% of teaching staff are graduates. (Data from most recent LLUK SIR).

This is a Level 6 conversion programme, giving you the opportunity to progress from a foundation degree (or equivalent) to an honours degree in a relevant subject.

The programme is designed to offer an academic and professional development opportunity for non-graduate professionals within the post-compulsory sector, providing a route to academic study at postgraduate level and underpinning professional development in the workplace.

2013 Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement is a Foundation Degree in Post-Compulsory Education and Training (or similar) providing 240 credits, at least 120 of which have been achieved at Level 5. You will also require GCSE grade C, or an appropriate equivalent, in English and Mathematics. If you don’t hold the relevant GCSEs, Edge Hill offers equivalency tests.

You must be working in a recognised sector of Lifelong Learning but there is no stipulation that your employment is full-time. It should, however, be sustainable over the duration of the programme and offer you the likelihood of successfully completing the assessment activities identified.

Details

Who is this course for?

The programme is suitable for anyone working as a teacher, trainer, tutor, mentor, support worker or manager in Post-Compulsory Education and Training and offers an academic and professional development opportunity for non-graduate professionals within the sector.

What will I gain from this programme?

Completing the progression route will demonstrate a level of academic achievement that will underwrite core professional skills already held, thus creating a platform for professional progression. With further deepening of your understanding of the sector you will have opportunities to network across other organisations and establish a cohort of like-minded peers.

You will develop academic skills related to full honours level study - reading, analysis, synthesis – together with team-work skills in the collaborative presentation required.

You will implement a research strategy within your work place and produce an academic report. Your professional skills will be developed through reflection and self-evaluation.

How we will support you

Academic, professional and personal support and guidance will be provided to ensure you are able to take maximum advantage of the learning opportunities available. You will receive pre-programme resources, including information on the course induction, calendar, timetable, study materials and suitable preparation for the first modules. You will be allocated to a personal tutor for the duration of the programme.

What will I study?

Your first year consists of two 15 week semesters. In the first semester you will study the development of the Lifelong Learning curriculum, examining its historical, social and educational context. The second module taken at this time examines the central tenet of education – teaching, and, in particular, ways of enhancing teaching to secure more effective learning.

The second semester provides an opportunity to examine the contemporary challenges in Lifelong Learning. This is a module where you will work collaboratively on a current topic. Alongside this you will take a module exploring leadership in Lifelong Learning organisations and how they impact on learners and staff.

A third semester contains the final module where you will undertake a dissertation on a topic of your choice. You will have regular tutorial support and guidance during this time. The aim will be to produce a research report of high quality that can inform best practice in the sector.

How will I study?

Teaching consists of a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops. As well as input from the course team in these sessions there will be a chance to make a significant contribution yourself as you analyse and evaluate your own professional experience. Regular attendance and participation is essential to benefit fully from the teaching and learning strategy. Learning will also be supported by personal tutorials.

Prior to starting the programme, you will be required to attend an induction event in September. This will involve aspects of institutional induction as well as programme specific events with a balance of presentational approaches, documentation and group sessions.

To facilitate participation there will be a Standard delivery route and a Flexible delivery route. Those on the standard route will attend university-based sessions for periods of up to six hours per week on an afternoon / evening basis. The flexible route will be initiated with an appropriate conference format to establish an induction into the programme and the first modules to be studied. Subsequent flexible study will then make use of e-learning and email / phone contact with tutors.

Placement

You need to be working in a post-compulsory teaching or training setting. This work can be full-time or part-time.

Who will be teaching me?

The teaching team consists of five staff at present, all of whom have considerable experience of working within further education and sixth form colleges. The team also has over five years experience of working with trainers in work-based settings, for example, within the Police service and NHS. Members of the team work as Examiners and Moderators, including a former Chief Examiner for GCSE. All tutors undertake academic and scholarly activity and have authored recent publications. The team are active in supporting developments within the 14–19 curriculum and have insight and experience of working with Ofsted.

How will I be assessed?

All modules are assessed by coursework only. This includes written reports, a case study and a dissertation.

What are my career prospects?

Given that approximately 65% of teaching staff in the post-compulsory sector are not graduates it is clear that choosing to study for an Honours degree will mark you out as a committed professional. This is an opportunity to focus on your career development targets by positive use of your organisation’s appraisal or personal development review process and to demonstrate your academic and vocational progress.

Professional Accreditation

Recognised by Institute for Learning as meeting the requirements for Continuing Professional Development.

Further study at Edge Hill University

The BA (Hons) Lifelong Learning and Skills provides a pathway to postgraduate study, for example the MA Leadership and Management in Post-Compulsory Education.

How do I apply?

Apply directly to Edge Hill University. Download the application form (pdf) and notes for guidance (pdf).

Visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/apply for more information on the application process and our Admissions criteria.

Fees and Finance

If you are joining this conversion degree in academic year 2012/13 and will be progressing directly from a foundation degree (disregarding any normal intervening vacation period between semesters), you will be classed as a "continuing" student provided you also studied the foundation degree on a part-time basis. The tuition fee for part-time continuing students on this progression route in academic year 2012/13 is £280 per 20 credit module and £420 per 30 credit module.

UK continuing students will be able to apply for an annual fee grant up to £1,230, subject to income level and intensity of study, and may also be eligible for a means-tested grant of up to £265 for books, travel and other course-related expenditure.

However, if you are joining this conversion degree as a new student, have taken a break from education since completing a foundation degree (disregarding any normal intervening vacation period between semesters), or you studied a foundation degree on a full-time basis, the tuition fee for part-time study is £1,500 per 20 credit module and £2,250 per 30 credit module for academic year 2012/13.

New students, and those not classed as "continuing" students, will not have to pay upfront for their tuition. The cost of tuition will be paid by a loan which you will only start to repay once you have finished the course and are earning over £21,000pa.

To find out more about fees, grants and loans for part-time students on this programme in academic year 2012/13, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/conversionfees2012pt.

Please note, the above information is for UK and eligible EU students only.

Not got the entry requirements?

If you are seeking to begin a teaching career in the post-compulsory sector then an initial teacher training qualification such as the Certificate of Higher Education in Post-Compulsory Education and Training, offered by Edge Hill University, will be the necessary starting place.

If you have a CertHE or similar qualification, our Foundation Degree in Post-Compulsory Education and Training could be for you.

Where can I find out more?

If you would like to receive a copy of our prospectus or be kept updated about forthcoming events, contact the Course Information, Advice and Guidance Team by emailing study@edgehill.ac.uk or calling 01695 657000.

If you want to attend one of our open events held throughout the year, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/opendays to book your place.

You will also find Edge Hill University staff at many national careers fairs and UCAS events.

Still want more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask the programme leader about this course, please contact:

• John Dickinson, Faculty of Education, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 650830
• Email: dickinsj@edgehill.ac.uk

Modules

LLS3000 Development of the Lifelong Learning Curriculum. To help you fully appreciate and respond to the contextual demands being made of the sector, this module explores the historical and socio-economic development of the Lifelong Learning sector and considers the competing philosophies as to its purpose and target audience.

LLS3001 Teaching for Lifelong Learning reflects on the deepening and extension of the academic context, particularly its highly reflective nature. It assumes that a practitioner base is in place and requires you to reflect critically on your own practice, and that of others, and to evaluate your own practice with a view to improving the achievement of your learners. This will be predicated on a deepening understanding of the models of teaching and learning that most convincingly explain those factors determining success within lifelong learning. This will include a critical analysis of the role of assessment, as increasingly it has come to be viewed as a crucial component in the educational process.

LLS3002 Contemporary Challenges in Lifelong Learning. The theme of challenge and change is established whereby you are asked to identify and respond to a contemporary challenge within the Lifelong Learning sector through both academic research into the issue and critical reflection on how to professionally respond. To engender greater debate and discourse you will investigate a topic collaboratively, working as a group to present a poster in the style expected at conferences.

LLS3003 Leadership in Lifelong Learning offers an insight into leadership and fosters awareness for leadership models and strategies. The module provides an opportunity to examine a leadership role within an organisation serving the Lifelong Learning sector, focussing on curriculum management, resource management and the leadership of teams or whole organisations.

LSS3004 Dissertation builds on the research skills established during the Foundation Degree and provides you with an opportunity to produce an academic study drawing on your experience as a practitioner together with the key concepts and ideas presented in the other four modules of the programme. The work is individual and will result in a high quality piece of research that will inform practice in the sector.