midlands conference 2015: two year degree presentation

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The Two Year Degree:A Model for the Future?

AUA Midlands Regional Conference Wednesday 14 January 2015


Aims of Today:

• Learn more about differing models of two year degrees• Discuss and debate some of the wider issues around the

model• Think about the implications of the structure on your

own job• Consider which of the professional behaviours you think

are most needed in the structure


A bit about us first……

Nick Allen – Executive Officer, Office of the Vice-Chancellor,University of Northampton

Pearl Lewis – Quality Assurance Manager, University of Buckingham


A History of Buckingham

• An independent (alternative) provider.• Offers a traditional model of independence• UB unique amongst alternative providers.

– In existence for over 35 years– Degree Awarding Powers under Royal Charter– Two-year degree– Four term academic year – January-December– Small – 2000 students


A History of Northampton

• A post-1992 University;• University Status and Research Degree Awarding

Powers conferred in 2005; • Broad range of subjects offered; • Traditional September – June terms with some

exceptions (in health related courses);• Unique programmes (leather technology, waste

management and lift engineering).


The Two Year Model at Buckingham• Teach for 36 weeks teaching a

year, with four weeks of examination

• Multiple Entry Points -September, Jan, and July entries

• 180 credits a year for UG, as opposed to 120 for a three year model.

• Exams boards and marking take place in vacation.

WINTER TERM9 WEEKS OF TEACHING

2 WEEKS VACATION

SPRING TERM9 WEEKS TEACHING

2 WEEKS EXAMS

3 WEEKS VACATION (INC MARKING, EXAM BOARDS,

REGISTRATION)SUMMER TERM

9 WEEKS TEACHING

2 WEEKS VACATION (INC REGISTRATION)

AUTUMN TERM9 WEEKS TEACHING

2 WEEKS EXAMS

5 WEEKS VACATION (INC MARKING, EXAM BOARDS,

REGISTRATION)


The Two Year Model at Northampton

• Year 1 (September to June) – 120 Level 4 credits plus 20 level 5 credits

• Year 1 summer (June to September) – 40 Level 5 credits under supported distance learning

• Year 2 (September to June) – 60 Level 5 credits and 80 Level 6 credits

• Year 2 summer (June to September) – 40 Level 6 credits (dissertation)


StudentsQuicker• However, shorter holidays, more intensive degree, limited time for

part time job to support fee payments and living costs.Cheaper fees and saved living costs• Student loan system doesn’t reflect this and student self financing

needed. Employers like it• Work ethic instilled in students• HEA report shows employer bodies are in favour: standards, outputs

and QA processes more important than time spent• However - limited time for internships/work placements during

studying


StudentsMulti entry point at UB gives flexibility• However, continuous terms present difficulties for students resitting

exams, and on Tier 4 visas.Time for Sports and Societies• Some say this is reduced, but Buckingham still manages to offer a

wide range of activities.Student satisfaction• UB students like it, there is a market for it, and generally the students

cope well. • High staff student ratio at UB also helps support students through

two year system• There is little difference in satisfaction between standard and

intensive students at Northampton.


StudentsMixed mode of delivery at Northampton• Can be confusing for students, however, as a modular based

institution, this does not cause too many issues;Timetabling at Northampton• As there are few intensively delivered programmes, timetabling issues

have been resolved;


Administrative StaffChallenge of continuous movement at Buckingham • Quick change can be a good thing• However, little time for reviewing and taking stock, planning work,

making changesQuick turnaround time at Buckingham• Impact on marking, exams, registration, is a pressure. Modular structure at Northampton• Modular structure assists students through their programme and puts

little additional pressure on administrative staffForgotten few at Northampton• Intensive students can be overlooked when it comes to ceremonies

(as these are organised proactively).


Administrative StaffPathfinder Pilot (HEA 2007 Report)• Pathfinder project found difficulties with two year system in releasing

staff for training and development or to implement new systems• Leeds Met found that barriers to change were actually in entrenched

working practices, and not staff contracts. Realigning systems and processes is needed in two year system.


Academic StaffResearch • No long summer break for research/sabbatical at UB• But UB staff have one term study leave each year• At Northampton - supported distance learning (in year one) and

dissertation support (in year two summer) can be undertaken around research and scholarship leave.

Quick turnaround time at UB• Impact on marking, exams, registration, is a pressure. Staff Student Ratio/Access to Staff• Small staff student ratio at UB means staff get to know students

and support them – this is still very popular with students and satisfaction with academic staff support is high.

• Some impact on access to staff at Northampton during the summer, but increasing electronic contact.


Institutional Pressures Campus Renovation• Renovation work difficult during short holidays at UB• No impact at Northampton – summer works can continue but need to take

into account other ‘long’ delivery programmes (in health)

Sector Structures Favour Three Years Degrees• HEFCE/student loan funding doesn’t recognise it• NSS/HESA return – December finishers• NUS structures and support - still around 3 year/sabbatical officer structure

Time for Review• Changes/taking stock can be difficult in continuous terms.

Quality assurance processes• Continuous terms put pressure on some QA review activities at UB• Little impact on quality assurance processes at Northampton - save for the

review of intensive students at the end of the summer as opposed to before the summer.


Group Discussions – 10 minutesIssues, plus positives and negatives of the following

areas in relation to the two year degree:

• The research environment• The student workload

• The student life• The reputation of UK HE


Group DiscussionsResearch Environment

• Research grants part of university funding. Impact on this funding if two year model was adapted unknown.

• Balance of teaching and research would be altered.

• Financial savings made from increased efficiency would cover the gap from research funding.

• Research will always be an important factor for prospective students

• Diversification of sector to have some non-research institutions is a good thing – student profile and demand changing: rise of professional courses and degrees


Group DiscussionsStudent Workload

• Two year workload encourages students with hard working attitude studying for right reasons – good thing.

• But – degrees are same level taken in two or three years, still as difficult, just different pace

• Introduction of £9k fees has increased number of students with hard working attitude anyway – students are demanding more and working harder because they have paid more.


Group DiscussionsStudent Life

• Importance of extra curricular activities/wider education in student experience – enough time on two year programme?

• Students spend no less time at university – it is just spread over two years and not three.

• Less breaks allows more cooperation between students for these activities as no disruption by breaks.


Group DiscussionsReputation of UK HE• Two year degree recognised enough internationally?

• Two year degrees across all of UK would remove UK from Bologna completely? HEA Report 2007 found that accelerated programmes don’t contravene the principles of Bologna.

• House of Commons Education and Skills Committee agreed in 2007 that UK already has a global reputation for high quality.

• UK second only to the United States for attracting foreign students to study. US offers accelerated programmes in 250 institutions.


A Model for the Future?NO• Not likely to be adopted by established, research-focussed universities unless the

government adopts measures to support them. It would require a huge culture change• Staff contractual matters would need to change, and UCU are opposed • Huge cultural change would be needed, plus structural and working pattern upheaval• Government funding would have to change• Student demand for traditional three year still in place

YES• Being introduced increasingly by alternative providers (BPP and University of Law)• Strong place for it especially with higher fees – effective use of the full year to study• With the right support systems in place and a low staff student ratio, it works. • Quality of degree not impacted• Employers are overwhelmingly in favour• Student choice, profile, and demand is changing – diversification of sector is a good

thing.


Professional Development DiscussionsActivity 1• Find a partner and take it in turns to discuss the

potential/current implications of a two year degree for your own job

Activity 2• On the worksheet, try to prioritise the professional

behaviours in relation to those most relevant to working in a two year degree structure


More information at www.aua.ac.uk

Email: [email protected]

Call: 0161 275 2063

Association of University Administrators (AUA)@The_AUA

midlands conference 2015: two year degree presentation

Education

credits year

year model

northampton year

year degrees

professional behaviours

term academic year

limited time

time job