Benefits for you

Benefits to you

There are many benefits to taking Professional Development Awards. You can:

• study your own higher education qualification at undergraduate, postgraduate, certificate or diploma level
• gain credit whilst working through our Evidencing Work-Based Learning module
• choose how and when you learn and how you will be assessed, progressing at your own rate
• have previous learning recognised as part of the qualification for the award of credit
• utilise your knowledge and skills and the ability to become more productive in your current or future roles.

What is work-based learning (WBL)?

Work-based learning is where learning takes place in the workplace rather than traditional study environments. Opportunities to learn arise from tasks and challenges associated with work.

Anyone who is employed or in a recognised relationship with an external organisation/employer can undertake work-based learning. This can be either paid or unpaid work in various forms including traditional employment, part-time, self-employment, entrepreneurial activity or voluntary forms of engagement.

The key people involved in work-based learning are the learner, line manager, mentor and academic facilitator. The key driver of the WBL initiative is the learner, who has responsibility for negotiating time and activities in the workplace with their line manager. The mentor will act as a guide and coach and, where appropriate, give feedback. They may also act as an assessor of competencies and learning outcomes.

Assessments and evidence

Evidence of work-based learning such as reflection logs, reports, audits and SWOT analysis can be submitted for academic credit towards an Higher Education award.

Evidence of work-based learning is assessed by two markers. One may be an identified person in the workplace and the other an academic. This process contributes to the quality assurance of the programme you are studying.