Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
New work-based professional courses launched at Leeds Beckett
Three new Professional Practice courses have been developed to attract industry professionals and volunteers into higher education study and to give those starting out in their careers a wealth of work-related experience and academic expertise within a range of working environments to meet the increasing needs and demands of employers.
The foundation degree in Professional Practice is a three-year part-time programme taking place in the evenings or through weekend or weekday blocks, allowing students to fit their learning around their work commitments. The course will be individually tailored to each student with a focus on their particular area of work or volunteering, allowing them to access university-level education for the first time. It is aimed at a variety of professional roles, including: school classroom assistants, health assistants, learning mentors, receptionists, supervisors and managers, in both the public and private sector.
All students who successfully complete the Foundation degree will be guaranteed a place on the BA (Hons) Professional Practice top-up degree course, which is also open to applications from students who have completed a level five university-level qualification (equivalent to the completion of the first two years of a full-time three-year degree course). This is a part-time, two-year course leading to the award of a Bachelor’s degree.
Finally, students have the option of completing the BA (Hons) Professional Practice degree full-time over three years, where they will engage with a range of work placements for four days a week and formalised learning at the University for one day per week. All courses will begin in September 2018 and applications are now being accepted.
Dr Doug Martin, Course Director at Leeds Beckett (pictured top), said: “In launching the new suite of Professional Practice courses we are directly responding to the needs of the regional labour market by addressing key areas of skills shortage.
“For those in employment or volunteering, the course will open up opportunities to gain a degree from a UK university that will provide them with the currency to enter Masters level professional qualifications such as school teaching, social work, probation, health work, business studies etc.
“For those taking the full time route, it provides a unique opportunity to develop a customised package with in-built flexibility so that they can gain qualifications related to a spectrum of occupational areas as they progress through their degree. They will have gained the work-related experience required by many employers as well as a deep engagement with study in higher education.”
All students will build up an e-portfolio throughout the course and work with an academic mentor with expertise in their chosen area.
Additionally, Leeds Beckett University is launching an updated, vocationally-focused Education Studies degree for September 2018. The new course, BA (Hons) Teaching and Education, retains the quality benchmark associated with Education Studies nationally but introduces an enhanced approach to providing students with the skills and experience they need to access professional careers, such as teaching in early years and the broader primary school sector.
Through placements, volunteering and the building of an e-portfolio, students will gain a deeper sense of professionalism alongside academic studies. They will also learn to self-manage and creatively respond to the complex needs of children, young people and adults in the context of learning. For more information, please click here.
Dr Martin added: “We have listened to those interested in applying to our School for a BA degree and to our current students. As a result, we have taken the very best of the Education Studies course and revised it to enhance student employability alongside developing a deeper sense of professionalism related to teaching to launch the BA (Hons) Teaching and Education in September 2018. This new award provides students with the opportunity to succeed through a degree more suited to the contemporary labour market within the region. It will provide students with a firm base to progress their career in a range of education settings.”
Applications to the full-time BA (Hons) courses are now being accepted through UCAS. Applications to the Foundation degree and part-time top-up degree are made directly to the Carnegie School of Education. For more information, please email Dr Doug Martin or visit Leeds Beckett University at an upcoming open day on Saturday 28 October or Saturday 25 November: