Part-time learning

The Centre is one of the largest pioneers using ‘learning through work’ approaches, and enjoys a strong reputation amongst professionals, employers and the government bodies who fund and review higher education quality.

Part-time learning opportunities at the Chester Centre for Work Related Studies:

• Tailored work based flexible learning qualifications (see below)
• Distance and online
• Study through an approved co-deliverer

You may also like to consider:

• Work Based Learning Facilitation (WBIS)
• Professional Certificate in Public Services
• Foundation Degree in Government
• Workshops and events 

Tailored Work-based Qualifications

The Centre’s acclaimed Work Based and Integrative Studies programme (WBIS for short) enables learners to negotiate a qualification that meets their personal and professional needs. WBIS is ideal for those who recognise the potential of learning through work and who are prepared to assume a high level of responsibility for their own learning. As part of their first module, Self Review and Negotiation of Learning, each student negotiates what is learnt and how, along with the specific qualification title. Facilitated by an experienced and dedicated Personal Academic Tutor at the start of the programme, a pathway is specified and can include a blend of:

• accreditation of prior certificated learning

• accreditation for prior experiential / workplace learning

• workshop modules

• online modules

• work based project modules.

These are explained in more detail below:

• Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL). This is where someone has been on a course previously that carries Higher Education credits and which is relevant to their programme. For instance, they may have previously taken a HNC or done a module with the Open University. This credit can then be brought in to their programme and count as part of their pathway.

• Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). This is a way in which the WBIS programme is extremely helpful, as it is designed to help participants gain recognition for their previous learning, in the workplace, ‘on the job'. Most participants on WBIS are able to make significant claims for prior experiential learning, and one of the most important tasks at the outset of the programme for students and tutors to engage in is to determine the extent (and likely evidence for) APEL claims. Normally, Chester regulations allow up to half of an entire award to be claimed through accreditation of prior learning (whether APEL, APCL or a combination).

• Workshop modules. We offer a wide variety of taught WBIS modules which can be an important source of work-related learning. These taught modules are either delivered with initial group sessions or are based on online resources you can study at distance (occasionally a mixture of the two). It is also possible to take taught modules offered elsewhere within the University (e.g. from the School of Health, the Business School, etc) should they be available and fit your programme of study. If you are interested in this option, speak to your personal tutor.

• Work Based Project / Negotiated Experiential Learning Modules. Like APEL, this is about learning experientially, ‘on the job', as opposed to in a lecture theatre or seminar room, but this time with regard to current or future learning rather than learning that has already happened. Negotiated Experiential Learning Modules (NELMs) give participants the freedom to negotiate their own learning outcomes in topic areas, and the method of assessment too. Often, this type of learning takes the form of a work based project and students use the outputs and artefacts generated on the job as part of their assessed work.

Most students begin WBIS with Self Review & Negotiation of Learning (or an equivalent) and plan their programme from this point on with a degree of freedom and flexibility, though after Self Review has been completed it may be the case that employers have arranged for students they are sponsoring to undertake certain other modules which can also be regarded as mandatory.

For participants on fully negotiated programmes, we recommend that Skills and Approaches for Work Based Learning should follow Self Review if the participant has little previous experience of work based learning in an academic setting. This module is designed to give students the wherewithal to be a successful work-based learner on the programme, with the ability to undertake work based projects and experiential learning at work more generally, for the purposes of academic credit.

We also recommend participants take our Research Methods for Work Based Learning module if they are planning a research project of some kind. Research Methods prepares you for undertaking research at work and exists at undergraduate Level 3 and at Master's Level. Students nearing the end of their Master's Level on WBIS are required to take Research Methods for Work Based Learning and then their 60 credit research NELM to finish off their programme.

There are a range of qualifications available at Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels, including the Chester Professional Doctorate.

Undergraduate qualifications (Click Here)

Postgraduate qualifications (Click Here)

Also see the Chester Professional Doctorate.

Assessment

This is negotiated with the tutor teaching the module but can involve; a portofolioportfolio of work, an assignment, a presentation, a dialogue assessment, storyboard or a combination of the forms of assessment mentioned above.

There are no written examinations.

Careers

Most students on the programme wish to either change their career pathway or progress within their present career. By choosing a work based, flexible, negotiated learning framework, students choose a programme relevant to their specific needs.

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for undergraduate programmes, although determination, commitment and self-direction are needed.

For postgraduate study, we expect learners to either have an undergraduate degree or have developed exceptional work based skills through experience.