New Raf All Ranks Degree Opportunities

[educator]

UNIVERSITY CONSORTIUM OFFER UNIQUE DEGREE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL RAF RANKS



A University consortium of the Universities of Chester, Derby, Staffordshire and the Open University, working with HQ PTC are offering a pioneering Work Based Learning (WBL) Foundation Degree (FdA/FdSc) program programme that is available to all ranks of the RAF. This Foundation Degree can then be “topped up” through progression to National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 6 for completion of an Honours Degree. Chester and Derby also offer WBL for Masters Degree programmes with the first RAF student having just graduated in March 2007.
This WBL programme, launched by ACAS earlier this year, is currently recruiting for students to begin studying now with the universities of Chester and Derby.

For the University of Chester contact: Tony Wall, Tel [phone], [email protected]
For the University of Derby contact: Jane Smith-Bodden, Tel [phone], [email protected]



What are the benefits?


- the possibility of increased pay.
- enhanced career prospects
- easier and smoother resettlement opportunities
- more value from workplace experiences
- being able to use existing learning for a recognised qualification
- boosted confidence and motivation.


What is a Foundation Degree?



A Foundation degree is a degree in its own right and is achieved by completing NQF level 4 and level 5. After completion of initial compulsory units that assess participants’ start levels and give an introduction to WBL, all further study in terms of content, time line and form of assessment, is negotiated between the student and the host university. Students can chose to study with either Chester or Derby and credits can be accumulated flexibly in a number of ways:

• Accreditation of Prior Certified Llearning (APCL) at higher level (e.g. HNC, HND, etc) using previously gained Level 4 or above qualifications.
  

• Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) (projects completed or work experiences that can be shown to have reached the required level by production of artifacts and providing evidence of reflective practice. This can include learning applied from in-house training courses.)
• Work related taught modules which are (supported on-line and/or face-to-face with workshops.)
• Negotiated work based learning. (i.e. including new work based projects/tasks).

What degrees can I obtain?



FD students can typically negotiate a pathway in either Business or in Leadership and Management. The degree title and content at FD, Honours or Master’s Level is agreed between the student and the university to cover the core themes using any of the four previously mentioned pathways. Students set their own timescales to match the demands of their busy lives. FD students can typically negotiate a pathway in either Business or in Leadership and Management.



Beyond FD level further specialisation is possible: for example a medical administrator may wish to negotiate an Honours degree in Practice Management, a HR advisor with a degree already may decide to complete a Master’s degree in HR Management, a Regiment NCO may wish to complete a degree in Crisis Incident Management. This program literally applies to anyone who can reach the appropriate level in their chosen discipline.
This degree programme is unrivalled in its flexibility and accessibility and is open to all who can show that they can work at the appropriate level. The programme's flexibility will fit with the needs of operational tours and varying schedules, etc.



For the University of Chester contact: Tony Wall, Tel [phone], [email protected]
For the University of Derby contact: Jane Smith-Bodden, Tel [phone], [email protected]