Independent Learning Studies (Level 4, 5 & 6, 20 Credits)

Program Overview

Independent Learning Studies (Level 4, 5 & 6, 20 Credits)

Overview

This 20-credit module focuses on work-based learning, enabling professionals to reflect on their practice, develop portfolios, and enhance their skills while collaborating with peers and employers. It offers flexibility for professionals to advance their practice and gain valuable insights into ethical considerations, making it suitable for a diverse range of practitioners from various sectors.

What will I be doing?

Assessment

A range of formative and summative assessments will cater to your individual learning style. These include:

• Portfolio
• Reflective essay
• Learning agreement

Teaching

A range of teaching strategies is used including Masterclasses, action learning, online learning, guided study, work-based learning, independent learning, and peer-supported learning.

The School of Health and Society

We are focused on enhancing the health and wellbeing of patients, service users, and athletes, and our commitment to public involvement helps us retain our strong focus on real-world issues.

Programme Lead

Jo Sullivan is a registered Adult Nurse and Health visitor with a lengthy clinical career. Jo also has extensive academic experience in developing and leading work-based learning programmes designed to meet specific learning requirements. Jo has a keen interest in ensuring individuals have the best opportunity to develop their own work-based expertise, whilst contributing to the transformational and innovative delivery of work-based practice.

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

This module will support you in career development and application for further Higher Education Institution (HEI) study within your area of practice. It will enable you to provide evidence of your personal and professional development, which will enhance your career progression. The acquisition of skills and knowledge will support personal and professional growth.

Further study

This module offers an opportunity to be considered for other undergraduate study.

Career Links

The module team are linked into a variety of employers. As examples of organisations who have approached us to discuss their staff developments and are keen to use the programme as part of their staff and organisational development, discussions have taken place with:

• Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
• The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
• Greater Manchester Training Hub
• Working Well Matters
• Greater Manchester Police (GMP)
• Health Education England (HEE) and the World Health Organisation (WHO)

Requirements

Applicant profile

This module will only be offered through your organisation. In addition, you must be engaged in paid and/or unpaid work and where a written agreement with your employer for support in undertaking this module/programme is agreed. There will be identification of a Learning Guide / Mentor who can support you in your place of work.

Access to undertake the module will be commissioned through your organisation, therefore individual applications cannot be considered.

The module is targeted at professionals in practice from a range of public, private, and third-sector providers including healthcare practice, policing, education, and local authority.

A vital component of the module is the tripartite relationship between the student, their employer, and the university programme tutors. This relationship supports the students in focusing their development on specific areas of need in practice, which in turn drives organisational change at the same time as personal and professional development.

Standard entry requirements

An applicant who does not possess one of the qualifications which satisfies the General Academic Entry Requirement may be considered through the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) (both Certified Prior Learning and/or one Prior Experiential Learning) as per the University's Admissions and Retention Policy. Appropriately experienced applicants will be considered in line with the University's APL procedure.

English Language Requirements

International applicants will be required to show a proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.5 (with no element below 5.5) is proof of this. If you need to improve your written and spoken English, you might be interested in our English language courses.

Alternative entry requirements

Accreditation of Prior Learning

We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.

The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.

Two forms of APL may be used for entry: The Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).

Fees

Type of study | Year | Fees
---|---|---
Part-time | 2025/26 | £965 per 20 credit module

Additional costs

You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding, and general subsistence on trips and visits.

Program Outline

Independent Learning Studies (Level 4, 5 & 6, 20 Credits)

Degree Overview:

• This 20-credit work-based learning module aims to support professionals in various sectors to reflect on their practice, develop portfolios, and enhance skills through collaboration with peers and employers.
It offers flexibility for advancement, ethical awareness, and personal/professional change as a result of learning.
• Objectives:
• Reflecting on the learning process in your professional area.
• Creating a portfolio of your personal and professional development.
• Enhancing potential for continued study.
• Understanding ethical considerations in practice.
• Identifying personal and professional change resulting from learning.
• Sharing knowledge and skills with peers.

Outline:

Content

• Work-based activities address your specific needs and interests.
• Negotiates and determines individual aims, objectives, learning outcomes, and assessment criteria.
• Provides a framework for skill and knowledge development and assessment while being process and product-oriented.

Structure

• Levels: 4, 5, and 6
• Duration: 13 weeks (part-time)

Course Schedule

• Flexible study to adjust around work and other commitments.

Modules

• Independent Learning Studies 20 Credits (Details below):
• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate your own learning and performance.
• Work-based activities with tutor and mentor support.
• Negotiated aims, objectives, learning outcomes, and assessment criteria.
• Summarizes the extent of your learning needs (Level 4).
• Produces a learning plan for future needs within your professional practice (Level 5).
• Analyzes personal and professional development, formulating an action plan for further learning needs (Level 6).
• Provides evidence of development for career progression.
• Enhances personal and professional growth.

Other:

• Focus: Enhancing health and wellbeing of patients, service users, and athletes.
• Public Involvement: Maintain focus on real-world issues.
• Career Links:
• Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
• The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
• Greater Manchester Training Hub
• Working Well Matters
• Greater Manchester Police (GMP)
• Health Education England (HEE) and the World Health Organisation (WHO)