Applied Science (Learning at Work)

Program Overview

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Overview

The Applied Science (Learning at Work) BSc (Hons) degree is designed for individuals who want to advance their scientific knowledge to degree level without leaving their job. The program allows students to tailor their course to match their personal and professional goals, as well as their employer's objectives.

Key Information

Typical Offer

A typical applicant would usually have post-school higher education such as an HNC, or equivalent, or part of a degree course, together with appropriate work experience.

Study Mode and Duration

• Flexible

Start Date

• September 2025
• January 2026

Course Information

Overview

The Applied Science (Learning at Work) degree is ideal for individuals who want to advance their scientific knowledge to degree level without leaving their job. The program is work-based, and students need to already be in a full-time, part-time, or voluntary role.

On This Course You'll

• Design your program of study to match your personal and professional goals, as well as your employer's objectives
• Develop your ability to analyze problems, research, and propose solutions, and make important decisions
• Take part in work-based learning (WBL) projects that ensure the knowledge you develop is relevant to your employer's business
• Get an optional 1-day induction in Portsmouth at the start of the course and have the opportunity to study on campus, if it suits you
• Develop your learning plan with the University and your employer, so you can make an effective contribution to your workplace as you learn
• Have full access to our student support services and community, including study support, sports and recreation facilities, and the Students' Union
• Tap into our Library's electronic resources, which you can access from anywhere with a Web connection
• Choose a Workplace Mentor to support your learning – someone at work who can offer advice, guidance, and moral support
• Have support from an academic tutor specializing in your area of study and a University learning manager who oversees your program
• Use online tutorials and lectures to help you with study skills, including your analytical and writing skills

Entry Requirements

BSc (Hons) Applied Science (Learning at Work) Entry Requirements

September 2025 / January 2026 Start

Qualifications or Experience

• A typical applicant would usually have post-school higher education such as an HNC, or equivalent, or part of a degree course, together with appropriate work experience.

You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs – see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.

English Language Requirements

• English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

See alternative English language qualifications.

We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English program before you start your course.

How You'll Study

On this Applied Science degree, you’ll work with our Learning at Work team and your employer to arrange a program of study that reflects your existing experience, your personal and professional goals, and your current employment situation. This makes up your Learning Contract.

Through a sequence of work-based learning projects, you’ll develop your ability to analyze a problem and deliver a professional solution, with support from a workplace mentor, academic tutors, online lectures, and a suite of virtual learning tools hosted by the university. You don’t need to attend the campus if you don’t want to, but you will have an invitation to an induction day and to make use of student facilities here in Portsmouth.

Your Learning Contract

Your study will include up to four elements:

• Learning Management: You'll set out a plan to shape your learning and prepare for the research reports you'll produce.
• Recognition of Prior Learning: You can bring up to 240 credits of the 360 credits you need from your existing learning, such as Foundation degrees, HNDs, on-the-job training, or relevant experience in your career. Read more about earning RPL credit for your current qualifications and work experience.
• Work-based Learning (WBL) Projects: Most of your new learning will be done through WBL projects, where you’ll practice new skills and develop your knowledge alongside your current role. These projects won't involve activities you do in your day-to-day job, as they need to involve new learning for you - but they will be relevant to your career, and your own professional development here can support the goals and objectives of your organization.
• Learning Modules: You can also study in a more formally-structured manner by joining in with the university’s academic modules. Please contact to discuss the choice of modules available.

Course Costs and Funding

Tuition Fees

Your tuition fee depends on if you have been awarded any Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and how many credits you need to study. To achieve an undergraduate Bachelor's degree, you need to accumulate a total of 360 credits. Tuition fees may be subject to annual increase.

Tuition Fees

Your tuition fee depends on if you have been awarded any Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and how many credits you need to study. To achieve an undergraduate Bachelor's degree, you need to accumulate a total of 360 credits. Tuition fees may be subject to annual increase.

120–160 Credits (Must Be Split Over 2 Years) – September 2025/January 2026 Start

• 120 Credits – £6,360
• 140 Credits – £7,420
• 160 Credits – £8,470

180–240 Credits (Must Be Split Over 3 Years) – September 2025/January 2026 Start

• 180 Credits – £9,530
• 200 Credits – £10,590
• 220 Credits – £11,650
• 240 Credits – £12,710

We'll apply an even yearly split to your course fee as listed in the schedule above. If you want us to consider an alternative schedule of payments, please contact us before the course start date.

Until RPL has been confirmed, you'll need to pay the full course fee.

If you're an armed forces student in receipt of funding, e.g., ELCAS, any documentation must show the correct start date and tuition fee. If not, we can't accept it, and you'll have to pay the course fee yourself.

Tuition fees terms and conditions

Tuition Fees Estimate

We can give you an estimate of your tuition fees. To contact us:

• Telephone: +44 (0)
• Email:

Additional Course Costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

Additional Costs

• Recommended reading: While studying the online modules, you may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module. Most texts are available online through the library.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) portfolio: There's a fee before you start the course if we need to assess a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) portfolio. If you're starting in September 2025 or January 2026, the fee is £1,200.

Apply

Before you apply for this course, please contact to discuss the content of your program of study. Read our information about the application process to find out more.

Ready to Apply?

September 2025 / January 2026 Start

You can study this course starting in either September or January each year. To apply for the upcoming course, please follow the link below:

September 2025

January 2026

If you’re interested in applying for a later entry point to this degree, please email us on , and we'll contact you when your application period opens - that is, at the end of October for a January start course, or at the end of February for a course that begins in September.

Not Quite Ready to Apply?

Come to an Open Day to explore our course facilities and tour the campus.

Admissions Terms and Conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules, and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.

Recognition of Work-Based and Distance Learning Courses

Our Learning at Work degrees at levels 6 and 7 are approved by the University under its powers to award degrees. They comply with the Office for Students (OFS) and Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) standards in the United Kingdom.

These qualifications are generally recognized internationally, but as with distance learning type courses, each country will have its own regulations and rules on work-based and distance learning education. You should check with the qualification recognition authority in the country you reside in or intend to use the degrees to secure employment, that the Learning at Work degrees are recognized by them before you commit to studying with us.

We also strongly recommend you check that your employer recognizes the value of our work-based/distance learning courses. Some countries, including Singapore, state the 'value of the qualification is subject to the employer'.

Applications from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar

We are currently unable to offer our courses to applicants who are nationals of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar.

If you're not a national citizen but are working or living in these countries, you can enroll onto our Learning at Work courses. You'll need to sign an Applicant Declaration Letter to confirm you understand that the University of Portsmouth won't accept any liability issues you may have with the recognition of your distance learning course, with your government or employer.

Applications from India and China

If you’re a national or foreign national in India or China, you can enroll onto our Learning at Work courses. You'll need to sign an Applicant Declaration Letter to confirm you understand that the University of Portsmouth won't accept any liability issues you may have with the recognition of your distance learning course, with your government or employer.

Applications from Oman

We're unable to accept enrollment from nationals or foreign nationals from Oman.

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