Laying the foundations for a new future

People looking to improve their career prospects, whether they currently have a job or not, are being encouraged to lay new foundations for the future by the University of Teesside. The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) has carried out a review of the University’s Chemical Technology Foundation Degree. The Review highlighted ‘confidence in the emerging academic standards’ and in ‘the quality of the learning opportunities, including their monitoring and achievement.’

New foundation degrees have been designed to encourage talented people of all ages into higher education to help advance their careers. The degrees have been developed in many subjects, often with the direct input of employers, to ensure course content is relevant and up-to-date.

Foundation degrees are flexible professional qualifications and are part of the Government’s commitment to furthering participation in Higher Education. Existing skills and qualifications can be improved while at work, leading to better career prospects. They are ideal for people with work experience, but who may lack many formal qualifications.

The degrees can be studied two years full-time or three years part-time and are often taught in collaboration with Further Education Colleges. Once the course is completed, there is the option to progress to a full honours degree at university.

The University of Teesside’s foundation degrees have been developed directly with employers in the public and private sector, training agencies in the health and social care sector, and with further education colleges. Subjects available include: Art, Design & Music, Business, Management & Human Resources, Engineering, Chemical Technology, Health & Social Care and Education.

BENEFITS OF FOUNDATION DEGREES INCLUDE:

* Available full-time and part-time * Practical approach to learning * Directly related to work * Recognised university qualification * Available locally * Case studies and live briefs are important features * Students have the opportunity to specialise, matching study to career aspirations * Funding for study may be available * If over 21 with work experience, the usual entry requirement of 2 A Levels may be waived

Carl Moss, a Sergeant with Durham Constabulary, who is studying on Foundation Degree Public Services Management, said: “This course has offered me the opportunity to self-develop professionally and personally in a direction that enhances my career prospects. The course suits my needs and ambitions and Teesside has a good reputation. Also, as a working parent, the location, time and support was also an instrumental deciding factor.”

Rob Pinder, Sub-Officer at the Operational Administration Department, Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Brigade, is also studying the Foundation Degree in Public Services Management. He said: “I particularly enjoyed the module on Social Policy. It looked at issues such as health, education, politics and the welfare state from an historical perspective, right up to the present day. It opened my eyes to issues that I had never really thought about in any serious way before.

“The quality of educational input is exceptionally high and the commitment from the staff is second to none. The course enables those in full-time employment to study and improve their career prospects without having to reduce their quality of life, and that of their family. It has been a great help at work because it enables me to communicate with upper tiers of management in “their own language” and opened my eyes to other facets of the service we provide.”

For information about foundation degrees, call the University of Teesside Course Information Centre on 01642 384277 or visit www.tees.ac.uk

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