EPIC JOINS FORCES WITH ANGLIA RUSKIN TO OFFER A DEBT-FREE DEGREE

With the headlines full of student debt and the added pressure this year of students having to pay tuition fees, Anglia Ruskin University and Epic have joined forces to design an innovative work based leadership programme that offers an alternative route to a University Degree.

Alternative routes to recognised university qualifications through work-based learning

In 1992 only a third of students owed money when they left university. Now, with the introduction of course fees, 90% are in debt with the average cost of a UK University degree being almost £20,000.

Anglia Ruskin University and Epic have joined forces to design an innovative work-based leadership programme that offers an alternative route to a university degree.

The programme is delivered through flexible blended learning and offers the opportunity to study whilst at work - the first year is completed at distance using You Lead.

You Lead is a unique leadership portal which gives organisations a focus for leadership development, offering the chance for learners from across the organisation to meet online, discuss leadership issues, and share knowledge.
You Lead has been designed and written for organisational leaders. The purpose is to give leaders the tools to enhance their leadership potential and the drive to advance skills in the workplace.

Ashcroft International Business School, part of Anglia Ruskin University, and Epic feel that they have designed a programme that can offer a real alternative to studying full-time at university and which will appeal to all age groups.

The programme will appeal to organisations that wish to provide development opportunities for their staff that aligns to the business and delivers real business benefit, and individuals who wish to develop their leadership potential and at the same time receive a UK recognised University qualification

The first stage of the qualification programme (the Certificate in Leadership) has been designed to reflect the ‘leadership development’ focus in the corporate sector, and the need for individuals within the workplace to continually develop their leadership knowledge, skills, values and behaviours. Students will be expected to complete their academic learning whilst also being employed in an organisation. The programme has therefore been designed as a work-based learning programme, where study is aligned to the business experience emphasising learning in business about business.

The Certificate in Leadership, studied in the first year, will be primarily based on e-learning through the www.youlead.co.uk site and learning portal. The certificate is informed by a pedagogical approach that offers flexible learning routes, and a student-centred approach to e-learning based on adult learning theory. The cost of the Certificate in Leadership at £1950.00, makes it an extremely competitive option to the traditional undergraduate degree route.

Students who wish to continue their studies can progress to the Diploma in Management and Leadership and the BA (Hons) Management and Leadership.

The teaching and learning strategy for the BA (Hons) Management and Leadership programme is based on experiential learning, whereby students are able to develop academic and industry knowledge and apply to their work environment. The structure and style of the teaching and learning reflects a blended and flexible approach to learning, with a high emphasis on distance learning.

Students will study alongside a cohort (although at distance) to ensure there is a sense of a learning community, and to enhance the student experience

The design of the course takes into account one of the Higher Education Funding Council for England’s key aims.

‘Our aim is to promote and provide the opportunity of successful participation in higher education to everyone who can benefit from it. Widening participation addresses the large discrepancies in the take-up of higher education opportunities between different social groups… so we are concerned with ensuring equality of opportunity for disabled students, mature students, women and men, and all ethnic groups.’

As this programme is not aimed at the ‘typical’ undergraduate student but at individuals who are already in work, it should appeal to a wide group of mature students thereby supporting calls for widening particpation in education.

The Department for Education and Skills state their support for work-based learning initiatives and highlight that:

• With guidance, students of all ages can learn from their experiences in the world of work to develop their key competencies and skills, and enhance their employability
  
• Employers value people who have undertaken work experience, been able to reflect upon that experience and then go on to articulate and apply what they have learnt
  
• Partnerships between employers and Higher Education are valuable in promoting work-related learning, and in improving the quality and quantity of such experiences
  
• Support for all forms of work-related learning and appropriate recognition mechanisms should be in place.

The value proposition for the course is clear and distinct. Students gain a qualification through a flexible study route designed around work based learning and application. The value proposition to the employer is that the academic learning is aligned with organisational learning, and cost benefit will be demonstrated through the work-based assessments.

'Ashcroft International Business School is delighted to be working in partnership with Epic to offer this innovative leadership qualification based on a flexible work based learning model. The partnership between Ashcroft International Business School and Epic brings together excellence in learning resources and educational design. The leadership qualification reflects a course design that is innovative and challenging but rewarding, offering an alternative and flexible route to a University award. We hope this will be the first of a number of work based qualification programmes that will be developed in partnership with Epic.'

Professor Martin Reynolds, Dean Ashcroft International Business School,
Anglia Ruskin University.

Ashcroft International Business School is validating a framework of programmes, based on work-based learning and application, which can be delivered through a flexible and blended learning route in Autumn 2006.

The framework will consist of:
Individual Certificates of Credit
Certificate in Leadership
Diploma in Management and Leadership
BA (Hons) Management and Leadership

Students can enrol separately for each level of the qualification, offering a truly flexible route to a recognised qualification.

For further information
Marketing@epic.co.uk : Telephone 01273 728686
Rachael.Hall@anglia.ac.uk : Telephone 07776 196549