News from our partners: University Centre Shrewsbury introduces new work-based Master’s degree
News from our partners University Centre Shrewsbury
University Centre Shrewsbury (UCS) has begun an innovative post-graduate, work-based degree programme that combines students work experience with their academic studies.
The flexible Master’s programme, Organisational Change and Development (WBIS), allows students to study part-time while working and managing other personal responsibilities. Recognising the wealth of professional experience that some students bring to their academic studies, eligible students may also be given academic credit for previous work experience.
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Professor Anna Sutton, Provost of UCS, said:-
“We’re meeting the needs of our community. This programme offers students with professional and family commitments the flexibility they need to continue their higher education.”
On the Master’s degree, students can tailor their learning to make it relevant to their specific professional role and aspirations, as well as develop research skills to initiate and support change and development within their organisation. The programme combines Organisational Change and Development modules with negotiated modules that are pertinent to the student’s working context, concerns and interest.
Perhaps now more than ever it is necessary to have a strong understanding of change in organisational development and how to deal with, and flourish, in turbulent economic and social environments. The ability to harness those factors to create a positive trajectory for an organisation is a valuable career asset.
Sarah Evans and her husband created a successful recruitment and development company, Discovery, 20 years ago, working closely with companies that are in the process of transformation. Sarah Evans decided to return to her studies with this programme to learn tools and techniques to support her clients with the initial diagnostic stages of change and to help them move forward and measure success.
Sarah Evans said:-
“I am excited about the challenge of learning in a more formalised academic structure and the chance to build a network with student peers and tutors. As part of the MA I hope to use both my professional network to relate projects to ‘real life’ situations and also explore industries and sectors eg third sector, where I have had less professional experience.”
The course is part-time and can be completed in two years. It is taught mainly online through individual and group tutorials, with in person attendance required approximately seven Friday evenings and/or Saturdays per year, which makes it possible for students such as Sarah Evans, who is the mother of two sons, to pursue their academic studies.
Applications to join the current cohort will be accepted until mid-May 2020, while applications for the 2020/2021 academic year will remain open. Government loans for post-graduate study may be available for fees and maintenance costs. For further enquiries, please contact wbisenquiries@ucshrewsbury.ac.uk.
Now in its fifth year, University Centre Shrewsbury offers high quality teaching, learning and research on 23 undergraduate and 11 postgraduate degree programmes. Set within the medieval and beautiful town of Shrewsbury, we offer a supportive community of passionate and inspiring academics and staff who strive to ensure our students can pursue their individual interests and academic goals.
