Courses and modes of study. The RAC is committed to diversifying provision to meet consumer need and provide accessible programmes for all student groups. In order to increase access, the College acknowledges the work to be done in developing provision of a more diverse range of units, courses and study modes. Specifically, as part of its Teaching and Learning Strategy the College is undertaking the following measures: • Explore opportunities to develop more flexible provision in order to maintain and expand student numbers undertaking campus-based programmes, including, inter-alia; 18-month foundation degrees; 2-year Honours degrees; Integrated 4-year Masters degrees; • Through collaborative activities, develop blended and distance learning opportunities for the delivery of RAC awards; • Identify opportunities to provide more flexible awards and award pathways, providing increased student choice of modules and thus widening the appeal of RAC provision. In particular, explore opportunities for greater part-time provision and bespoke/combined studies award frameworks to meet individual student expectations. • Expand partnership working, concentrating on favoured partner institutions where provision may be expanded with confidence, and from where suitable progression routes to higher awards can be developed; • Explore opportunities for the delivery of provision outside the normal academic day, week and year and thus make existing provision more widely available to non-traditional students; In addition, the teaching and learning strategy provides students with additional credit and/or bursary opportunities for the completion of study skills sessions and projects. This includes recognition of the exceptional achievements of those students in Student Ambassador, Student Union and Volunteering roles. Accreditation, as shown on transcript and Achievement Awards for particular services to the College, may be awarded at Graduation. We hope that this will build on our already excellent graduate employment record; the availability of such enhanced accreditation adds an extra dimension in terms of employability and thus in terms of enhancing student services provision.
Courses and modes of study. The University will continue to provide a wide range of educational opportunities for learners in 2012/13 through our foundation degree, modular undergraduate degree and PGCE ITT provision. Foundation degrees, modular undergraduate programmes and PGCE ITT can be studied on a full or part-time basis. The modular undergraduate scheme offers a particular flexibility and range of subject options that allows students to build an individual programme of study suited to their interests and needs. Vocationally-based two-year foundation degrees can be studied through the Wessex Partnership at local further education colleges and with private providers in the region. The modes of delivery vary, depending on the foundation degree programme, and include full- time, part-time and work-based provision. In 2012/13 the University plans to run 22 foundation degree programmes. On successful completion, foundation degree students may apply to progress to Year 3 of an honours degree programme at the University. Three work-based learning honours programmes have also been developed for 2012/13 with one college in the Partnership. We consider our Wessex Partnership foundation degree programme to be an important vehicle for social mobility in terms of entry into the professions. For example, through the Partnership, it is possible for successful graduates from the Foundation Degree Early Years and Education Studies for Teaching Assistants programmes to progress to Year 3 of an Education honours degree and then gain QTS through a PGCE ITT programme enabling entry into the teaching profession.
Courses and modes of study. UCS understands that some of its courses and modes of study attract a higher number of non-traditional students. Research into retention has highlighted the varying levels of success and student retention for particular groups and UCS is developing objectives to target these specific groups to improve retention levels. Events, such as taster days, Year 12 conferences and Summer Schools with the aim of helping prospective students to understand what is involved before enrolling on such courses will continue. A new programme to prepare students for HE will be introduced for 2016-17, aimed primarily at those applying through clearing. Further development needs to be made around taster sessions for potential mature and part-time students.
Courses and modes of study. The University is actively working on the development of Higher and Degree Apprenticeships, which are likely to be of interest to students from low-participation backgrounds in Suffolk. We are working closely with a range of employers and the LEP to identify areas of potential development to meet the skills needs of the local economy. The University will work with employers and schools to promote Higher Apprenticeships to students who would otherwise be unlikely to consider higher education. The University of Suffolk continues to make the majority of our degrees available to part-time students, but has experienced a decline in part-time applications and enrolments since 2012. We will invest in the development of information aimed at part-time students to specifically promote the availability of maintenance loans. The University will continue to participate in a range of events in the local community to promote the opportunity to study part-time.
