University of Bradford: UNIVERSITY of Bradfordschool of Lifelong Education

University of Bradford: UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORDSchool of Lifelong Education & DevelopmentProgramme title:Doctorate/Masters in Professional Studies

Awarding and teaching institution: / University of Bradford
Final award: / DProf/MSc/MA / Postgraduate Diploma /Postgraduate Certificate
[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications levelsD/M]
Programme title: / Professional Studies
Programme approved / accredited by:
Duration: / 3 years Full Time or 4 years part-time (maximum 7 years part-time) WBL
UCAS code:
Date produced: / June 2010
Last updated :

Introduction

The Post Graduate and Decorate programme in Professional Studies will allow you to acquire a high-level qualification while at the same time pursuing your career. The programme consists of a blend of taught modules, work-based learning and research. The taught content of the programme will include modules concerned with your personal and professional development and how to research. In addition you will be able to carry out a substantial piece of work on an aspect of your professional practice. Since much of the study will be based around your work, it will also give you the opportunity to reflect on professional practice while at the same time acquiring skills of critical analysis and the ability to work independently which are the skills that advanced professional practitioners need.

Programme Aims

The programme is intended to:

To provide a high-quality flexible programme of post graduate study, which meets the professional development needs of local and regional employers. To provide a framework curriculum that focuses upon the particular needs of your own organisationand also your personal development;

The programme enables you to focus upon areas of specialisation within your professional field and to develop the advanced research skills and theoretical awareness necessary to complete a substantial piece of research.

Programme Learning Outcomes

When you have completed the programme you will be able to:

Certificate

1. Knowledge & Understanding

Critically reflect on your learning needs and determine your own learning outcomes in order to facilitate learning in the workplace;
Critically evaluate the planning, scheduling and reporting processes leading to a successful outcome;
Demonstrate an advanced level of competence and confidence in the understanding and application of relevant concepts and disciplines appropriate to a specific work based project;
Apply critical understanding and evaluation of the specific literature and research which is relevant to your chosen area of investigation.

2. Subject-Specific Skills

Produce a plan for advanced learning in the workplace and formulate a learning contract with Masters level outcomes;

3. Personal Transferable Skills

Produce a personal skills needs analysis;
Apply systematic creative problem solving;
Communicate effectively at a high level
Undertake a systematic review of published work;

Diploma

1. Knowledge & Understanding

Critically reflect on your learning needs and determine your own learning outcomes in order to facilitate learning in the workplace;
Critically evaluate the key practices and theories in project management;
Critically evaluate the planning, scheduling and reporting processes leading to a successful outcome;
Demonstrate an advanced level of competence and confidence in the understanding and application of relevant concepts and disciplines appropriate to a specific work based project;

2. Subject-Specific Skills

Critically analyse the project management skills that have been developed from a wide body of knowledge;
Produce a plan for advanced learning in the workplace and formulate a learning contract with Masters level outcomes;

3. Personal Transferable Skills

Manage a project effectively;
Apply systematic creative problem solving;
Communicate effectively at a high level

Masters

1. Knowledge & Understanding

Apply critical understanding and evaluation of the specific literature and research which is relevant to your chosen area of investigation.

2. Subject-Specific Skills

Identify an aspect of your employment which is relevant to your own experience and which is not fully addressed by the previous research literature;
Apply research methods combined with advanced knowledge and understanding gained to the solution of complex practical problems;
Respond effectively to a real employment issue by applying appropriate conceptual and current research models.

3. Personal Transferable Skills

Undertake a systematic review of published work;
Apply research processes and procedures
Formulate an original hypothesis
Apply skills of academic inquiry

Additional Learning outcomes for the Doctorate

1. Knowledge & Understanding

Contribute new insights and knowledge to an area of professional practice

2. Subject-Specific Skills

Critique and apply debates and theories in your area of professional practice

3. Personal Transferable Skills

Formulate an original hypothesis
Apply skills of academic inquiry
Specify advanced analytical methods

Curriculum

Postgraduate Certificate

Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study period
LED4107M / Research Methods / O / 10 / M / 1/2
LEDW702M / Preparing Work Based Project plans and Outlines / O / 10 / M / 1/2
LEDW701D / Developing and Analysing Data (Learning Contract) / C / 20 / M / 1/2
LEDW706D / Work-based Learning for Personal and Professional Development (WBL) / C / 20 / M / 1/2
LED / Guided Independent Study / O / 10 / M / 1/2
LED / Guided Independent Study / O / 20 / M / 1/2

Postgraduate Diploma

Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study period
LEDW703D / Professional Studies Project Management / O / 20 / M / 1/2
LEDW705D / Reviewing and Critically Analysing Information(Learning Contract) / C / 20 / M / 1/2
LEDW700D / Application of Advanced Learning for Personal and Professional Development (WBL) / C / 20 / M / 1/2
LED4107M / Research Methods / O / 10 / M / 1/2
LEDW702M / Preparing Work Based Project plans and Outlines / O / 10 / M / 1/2
LED / Guided Independent Study / O / 10 / M / 1/2
LED / Guided Independent Study / O / 20 / M / 1/2

Masters

Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study period
LEDW704Z / Research Project / C / 60 / M / 1/2

Doctorate Route A

Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study period
LED / Thesis / C / 360 / D / 1/2

Candidates who wishto progress following the successful completion of the diploma stage may do so and they would follow route B

Doctorate Route B

Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study period
LED / Thesis (Extended) / C / 420 / D / 1/2

The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring and review procedures.

Teaching and Assessment Strategies

Masters Stage

The course is based upon distance learning materials with tutor and visiting lecturer input and support to enable you to complete assignments and the dissertation. Open learning materials are supplied to cover the modules. These materials are complemented by reflective tasks and group communication exercises using the Blackboard virtual learning environment. To engage fully with the learning it is essential that you have access to the internet so as to enable you to use Blackboard.

You will undertake the course by blended learning with attendance at one residential at the beginning of the award. At the residential each module will be introduced and you will be able to network with the other course members. You will be part of an action learning set, the members of the learning sets may not necessarily work with other course members but could be other employees of the organisation. Assessment is seen as an integral part of the learning process. Modes of assessment will not be based simply on essays, but will include a range of assignments. In other words the assessment is embedded in the content of the course and should extend knowledge, experience and skill.

Doctorate Stage

For those students who wish to proceed on to the DProf stage on completion of the Masters dissertation they must complete a proposal of 2,000 words that outlines the scope of the project and how it will make a significant and original contribution to the specialised field of inquiry relating to their employment. Candidates entering to the programme at this stage with AP(E)L will also have to complete the proposal.

This Proposal will be considered by the course team, including the course leader and appropriate supervisors.

Individual research will be guided by regular supervisory meetings. Assessment will be by the presentation of the research in the form of a thesis.

Assessment Regulations

This Programme conforms to the standard University Assessment Regulations for Postgraduate Programmes which are available at the following link:

Ordinance governing Professional Doctorates:

Ordinance governing PHD, MPHIL, and Professional Doctorates (Word, 188 KB)

Admission Requirements

The University welcomes applications from all potential students regardless of their previous academic experience; offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual application. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme. Entrance requirements for each programme will vary but consideration of your application will be based on a combination of your formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience.

If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate this learning in order to provide you with exemptions from specified modules contained within the curriculum. Please talk to us if you do not fit the standard pattern of entry qualifications.

The University of Bradford has always welcomed applications from disabled students, and these will be considered on the same academic grounds as are applied to all applicants. If you have some form of disability you may wish to contact the programme leader before you apply.

Candidates can enter at either the Certificate, Diploma or Masters stage of the programme.

Post Graduate Certificate

Access to the course is then either:-

An honours degree plus experience in the chosen WBL field.

A Foundation Degree plus at least two years experience in the chosen WBL field.

Post Graduate Diploma

Access to the course is then either:-

A Postgraduate Certificate, in a subject related to the chosen WBL field.

Masters (MA/MSc)

Access to the course is then either:-

A Postgraduate Diploma in a subject related to the chosen WBL field.

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning - AP(E)L

Candidates who do not hold the normal academic qualifications but can demonstrate through the AP(E)L process significant practical experience may enter the programme at an appropriate stage according to the depth and quality of their experience.

The University’s AP(E)L policy is found in the following web site:

Doctorate (DProf)

The following are eligible to apply for registration as candidates for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy or the Professional Doctorate:

A higher degree in a subject related to the chosen WBL field of an approved university, or of any other approved degree-awarding body. Exceptionally, candidates who have obtained a lower qualification than those listed above but whose experience and training can be regarded as suitable preparation for the degree.

Learning Resources

The JB Priestley Library on the city campus and our specialist libraries in the School of Health and the School of Management provide a wide range of printed and electronic resources to support your studies. We offer quiet study space if you want to work on your own, and group study areas for the times when you need to discuss work with fellow students. Subject librarians for each School provide training sessions and individual guidance in finding the information you need for your assignment, and will help you organise your references properly.

Student PC clusters can be found in all our libraries and elsewhere on the campus. Many of these are open 24/7. You can also use the University's wireless network to access the internet from your own laptop. Most of our online journals are available on the internet (both on and off campus), and you can also access your University email account, personal information and course-related materials this way.

Staff are on hand during the daytime to help you if you get stuck, and there is a 24/7 IT helpline available.

The nature of teaching, learning and research provision on this delivery mode of the Masters is by distance learning which creates a group learning environment through ‘VLE’ discussion, tasks and exercises and action learning sets, followed by periods when you are working on your own as independent distance learners. As such the course requires a number of levels of student support and guidance. The Course Director and a Course Management Team provide strategic direction, an academic overview and support to both you and module tutors. The role of the tutors will be to support you in achieving the learning outcomes of the course and to provide written feedback of your progress, on both a formal and an informal basis. In the final stage you will work with your dissertation tutor who provides both academic and pastoral support. Each cohort as a group will also be encouraged by tutoring staff to provide peer support and sharing of experience both within and outside the taught elements of the course.

Student Support and Guidance

Course Team

Support for you personally and in your course of study, will be provided both by the University and the Course Team. You will be allocated a personal tutor who is someone with whom you will be able to talk about any academic or personal concerns. The School will ensure that there is someone available with whom you feel comfortable to help and support you. You will be provided with a comprehensive series of handbooks that you can consult on a range of learning issues and your course tutors will be available to consult on subject specific queries.

Students’ Union

We value the feedback provided by students and collaborate with the Students’ Union, through a system of course representatives and formal staff student liaison committees, so that any issues you wish to raise are addressed rapidly.

The Students’ Union and the University of Bradford work in partnership to provide confidential counselling and welfare services where you can get help with any aspect of your personal or academic life. Student Financial and Information Services (part of the Hub) will provide you with information about a diverse range of issues such as council tax, personal safety and tourist information. International Students can access a range of additional advice and support services through the Student’s Union.

The Hub, Student Support Centre

The Hub, Student Support Centre provides a central reception where students can receive information, advice and guidance on a whole range of topics about their life at University. The Hub is located in the Richmond Building adjacent to the Atrium.

The teams located within The Hub:

Accommodation
Admissions
Education Liaison
Enquiries
Student Administration and Support
Bursaries and Financial Support
Finance and Credit Control Group
Payzone
Records and Tuition Fees
International Office
Customer Service Team

+44 1274 232233

Careers and Employability

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career Development Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the web site

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

The specific provision on this programme is designed to provide you with the professional knowledge and skills for you to be a leader in your chosen profession.

Learner Development Unit

The Learner Development Unit provides support in all aspects of academic, maths, numeracy and interpersonal skills. A programme of interactive workshops is delivered during both semesters which complements the individual support available from Advisers and the wide range of interactive online materials.

Disability

Disabled students will find a supportive environment at Bradford where we are committed to ensuring that all aspects of student life are accessible to everyone. The Disability Service can help by providing equipment and advice to help you get the most out of your time at Bradford and is a place where you can discuss any concerns you may have about adjustments that you may need, whether these relate to study, personal care or other issues. For more information contact the Disability Service by phoning: 01274 233739 or via email:

University policies and initiatives

Ecoversity

Ecoversity is a strategic project of the University which aims to embed the principles of sustainable development into our decision-making, learning and teaching, research activities campus operations and lives of our staff and students. We do not claim to be a beacon for sustainable development but we aspire to become a leading University in this area. The facilities we create for teaching and learning, including teaching spaces, laboratories, IT labs and social spaces, will increasingly reflect our commitments to sustainable development. Staff and student participation in this initiative is crucial to its success and its inclusion in the programme specification is a clear signal that it is at the forefront of our thinking in programme development, delivery, monitoring and review. For more details see

Further Information:

For further information, please check the University prospectus or contact Admissions.

The Admissions Office
The University of Bradford
Richmond Road
Bradford, BD7 1DP
UK / The Admissions Office
School of Lifelong Education & Development
The University of Bradford
Richmond Building
Richmond Road
Bradford, BD7 1DP
UK
+44 (0)1274 233054
/ +44 (0)1274 23XXXX

The contents of this programme specification may change, subject to the University's regulations and course approval, monitoring and review procedures.