BA (Hons) Professional Development

Summary 2012/13

• Study a programme specifically designed for those working in non teaching roles in the children’s workforce;
• Extend your understanding and knowledge of working beyond the educational setting and consolidate your links to practice;
• Study flexibly online with tutorial support and occasional conference days on campus.

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.

This programme has been specifically developed for people within the children’s workforce, such as in schools and related settings, to address the professional development needs of this group of staff.

If you have completed a foundation degree (or equivalent) in a related area, you can 'top up' to an honours degree by studying flexible modules in subjects directly related to the development of the children’s workforce.

2012 Entry Requirements

To join this programme you will need to have completed 240 credits at university levels 4 and 5, either through a foundation degree or (subject to assessment through our Accreditation of Prior Learning process) through Diplomas or HNDs in education-related subjects.

You will need to be in either full or part-time work in an area related to the children’s workforce. Those undertaking voluntary work in schools or settings may be considered; please contact the Programme Leader for more advice on this.

Summary 2013/14

• Study a programme specifically designed for those working in non teaching roles in the children’s workforce;
• Extend your understanding and knowledge of working beyond the educational setting and consolidate your links to practice;
• Study flexibly online with tutorial support and occasional conference days on campus.

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.

This programme has been specifically developed for people within the children’s workforce, such as in schools and related settings, to address the professional development needs of this group of staff.

If you have completed a foundation degree (or equivalent) in a related area, you can 'top up' to an honours degree by studying flexible modules in subjects directly related to the development of the children’s workforce.

2013 Entry Requirements

To join this programme you will need to have completed 240 credits at university levels 4 and 5, either through a foundation degree or (subject to assessment through our Accreditation of Prior Learning process) through Diplomas or HNDs in education-related subjects.

You will need to be in either full or part-time work in an area related to the children’s workforce. Those undertaking voluntary work in schools or settings may be considered; please contact the Programme Leader for more advice on this.

Details

Who is this course for?

This programme is for those who have completed a foundation degree in an area related to the children’s workforce and who would like to extend their learning to gain an honours degree.

The programme is predominantly aimed at those who work in the wider school workforce, but may be appropriate for those working in the wider children’s workforce, for example, in administration or support roles in other settings.

What will I gain from this programme?

By joining this programme, your knowledge and understanding of working beyond the educational setting will be extended and your links to practice consolidated. You will have an opportunity to expand your techniques of analysis and enquiry to develop your own awareness and inform your professional practice.

How we will support you

Personal tutors will provide one-to-one and group support. Mentor support in the workplace is encouraged.

The conference days will include activities designed to build a community of peer support and will be followed up by online group discussions and virtual action learning groups.

What will I study?

The first module focuses on changes in the workforce from the point of view of the individual practitioner. This will develop your awareness to acknowledge the potential and real impact of organisational change, and in so doing, will identify how innovation and change influences you as a professional.

The next stage of the programme involves investigating effective methods of multi-agency working with various partners as well as considering the changing roles and responsibilities within the children’s workforce. You will go on to consider the skills and abilities needed to coordinate work effectively through teams in this new environment. In doing this, you will be able to draw specifically on your own range of employment and workplace contexts to look at the impact of legislation on roles and responsibilities.

You will also need to complete a module within your own specialist area aimed at enhancing your professional practice as part of the wider school workforce, whether it be in a teaching and learning role, in pastoral support, a business / management position or as part of a technical team.

An additional work-based learning project enables you to critically analyse an aspect of practice, related to the evolving children's workforce and your place within this changing environment, through a piece of small-scale action research.

How will I study?

The programme is primarily delivered online with tutor support. You will also attend two full conference days face-to-face at the Ormskirk campus in semester 1, one day in semester 2 and two days in semester 3.

Who will be teaching me?

The teaching team have a mix of skills to enable them to support the diverse group of students we expect on the programme. All those delivering the programme are educational professionals who have worked at all levels within all phases of education. Many of the course team are researching in the area of workforce development in schools.

How will I be assessed?

You will undertake a variety of assessments with a focus on the relation between academic content and work-based practice. With this in mind, assessment may include oral presentations of practice, case study reports, portfolios and evaluation reports related to work-based projects.

What are my career prospects?

On completion of this programme, you will graduate well-placed to progress to management roles within the children’s workforce. As the workforce continues to grow and connections are made with wider children’s services, graduates from this programme will be well-placed to take advantage of opportunities related to these developments.

A Great Study Environment

The programme is primarily studied online and as such you will be supported by a personal tutor via email and by other students via discussion boards. The face-to-face conference days will take place at Edge Hill University’s Ormskirk campus.

You'll get all the support you need to succeed, reflected in Edge Hill University being ranked in the top two in England for students' personal development, and the top three in the country for assessment and feedback, in the 2011 National Student Survey. The University is also featured in the top four in England for graduate employment.

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 conversion degree 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?

This is a top-up course specifically designed for those who have previously attained a foundation degree qualification (or equivalent). For personalised advice based on your circumstances, please contact us or come to an event.

Still want more?

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

• Susan Graves, Faculty of Education, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 584849
• Email: gravess@edgehill.ac.uk

Modules

• FFD3200 Self-evaluation, Improvement and the Management of Change
• FFD3201 Working Beyond the Educational Setting with Teams of Other Professionals
• FFD3102/3/4/5/6/7 Specialist Module
• FFD3000 Work-based Learning Project