Work Based Distance Learning Approach to Professionalisation

and Academic Accreditationby Victoria Ellis

Overview• Brief History• Aims• Approach• BSc (Hons) Retail Management

– Entry Requirements– Module Pathway

• Academic Demands

Brief History• WBDL at University of Lincoln started 14 years

ago• Over 2000 students• Studying from 59 countries• Approx. 250 student graduate each academic

year • Mature students• Portfolio of foundation degrees, top up

degrees and masters degrees

Aims• Academic recognition of professional

experience

• A stepping stone into higher education– ‘Attend university’ whilst in full time employment

• Enhance employability/ promotability

Approach• Work based learning

– Assignments based on personal experiences– Build on prior learning

• Distance Learning– Minimise disruption– Virtual Learning Environment– Internet based learning

• Flexible– Interruptions

BSc (Hons) Retail Management• Entry Requirements

– Level 5 qualification in a relevant subject • E.g. HND, Foundation Degree, CMI Level 5 Diploma

– 5 years relevant retail management experience

– Currently in a retail management position

BSc (Hons) Retail Management• Years 1 and 2

– Accreditation of Prior Learning = 240 CAT Points

• Year 3– ‘Top up’ degree = 120 CAT Points

Study Skills For Distance

Leaners

Integrating Professional

Retail Experience

Management of Change In

Retail Organisations

Understanding the Retail Consumer

Operations Management

in a Retail Environment

Dissertation

15 credit points 30 credit points 15 credit points 15 credit points 30 Credit Points 15 credit points

Academic Demands• Study Skills for Distance Learners (12 Weeks)

– Introduces students to academic skills such as referencing, academic writing, information searching

• 4000 word portfolio• Includes a 1500 word essay

• Integrating Professional Retail Experience (18 Weeks)– Students reflect on a retail management critical incident and write a

report to discuss ways to improve practice using the reflection as an evidence base.

• 2000 word reflective log • 4000 report

Academic Demands• Managing Change in Retail Organisations (12 Weeks)

– Students consider how their current work place supports/inhibits change and then uses theoretical modules to explore how to improve this process in their workplace.

• 4000 report

• Understanding the Retail Consumer (12 Weeks)– Students develop an understanding of consumer behaviour in retailing

and then use marketing strategies and loyalty techniques to construct an organisational response to a work place problem.

• Business presentation• 2000 word critical commentary

Academic Demands• Operations Management in a Retail Environment (18 Weeks)

– Students are asked to identify an operational problem in their work place, and then design an operations plan to overcome the problem, providing recommendations to improve practice

• 6000 report

• Dissertation (18 Weeks)– Students undertake a major project of their choice to explore in

greater detail an retail area they are interested in.• 8000 word written assessment

QUESTIONS?