Management and Leadership or Business

Foundation Degree

The University of Chester is one of the UK's leading providers of work based learning within the Higher Education sector and we have pioneered a very successful ‘Learning through Work' programme called Work Based and Integrative Studies (WBIS).

Campus	Chester
Course	Foundation Degree
Length	Undergraduate: Students enrolling on a Foundation Degree are given 5 years to complete their studies. Part-time
Start dates	Throughout the year

The University of Chester is very pleased to be working with the Royal Air Force and partner Higher Education institutions in designing and delivering two Foundation Degrees.

The two negotiated pathways are:

Foundation Degree in Business (Work Based and Integrative Studies)
Foundation Degree in Leadership and Management (Work Based and Integrative Studies)

These are employer-led higher education awards delivered at Levels 4 and 5. Learners will then have the opportunity to extend their studies to Level 6 to gain an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree.

Why study this course?

The Foundation Degree programme will suit learners who:

Wish to maximise rewards for prior learning
Wish to receive academic credit for their work based learning
Wish to improve their knowledge base and skills set through taking taught modules where relevant
Are happy learning with a mix of online support and periodic face-to-face input
Are happy to plan their own learning pathway - with support from Chester tutors
Are interested in building a range of optional topics into their pathway such as:- Conflict Transformation, Negotiation Skills, Stress Management and Mentoring.

Features:

The RAF Foundation Degrees are occupationally-based pathways within the University's ground-breaking Work Based and Integrative Studies (WBIS) framework. Put simply, this is a flexible framework that allows the University to give academic reward for work-based and work-related learning.

Next: Modules

Core Modules for both Foundation Degrees

Self Review/Programme Planning
Skills and Approaches for WBL
Exit Review
Organisational Environment
Working with People
Communication and ICT

Additional Core Modules for the Foundation Degree in Business

Finance
Services and Stakeholders
Operational Management

Additional Core Modules for the Foundation Degree in Leadership and Management

Business Strategy and Planning
Leadership at Work
Managing Change

Some Optional Taught Modules

Conflict Transformation
Mentoring
Stress and Stress Management
Negotiation Skills
Emotional Intelligence at Work
Aggression and Bullying
Creativity and Problem Solving

Next: Assessment

Your learning will be assessed through assignments that enable you to examine key topics through the lens of your own experience in your job role, supported and challenged by wider reading and the dialogue with your tutor.

To start your assignments you identify learning opportunities within your job role that will enable you to explore an aspect of the programme both from the viewpoint of your own practice and that of the underlying principles of good practice.

Assignments are usually written, but we also accept other forms of evidence, such as video. You will normally be allowed to have one draft reviewed by your tutor before you submit the final version for assessment.

Next: Careers

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

Next: 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 and experience (which can be determined through interview).