Suffolk College Celebrates a Revolution in Vocational Education with the Launch of the Independent Study: The Employment-Based Foundation Degree - 31 August 2004

Relevance and flexibility are the key attributes of a new Foundation Degree programme launched by the Suffolk Institute of Technology (SIT). The Foundation Degree by Employment-based Independent Study offers people in work and employers a radically different approach to education – one that provides a combination of academic and vocational learning in line with the needs and interests of individual students.

Everything about this programme is different. It is designed for the student by the student, with support from a specialist tutor and, where appropriate, the employer. Students create a Career Development Plan that identifies personal strengths and areas for improvement. From this a programme of study is devised that is absolutely relevant to his or her personal and professional development needs and interests. Core modules teach skills such as critical thinking, research skills and problem solving – all essential to spotting opportunities and responding to change in the modern workplace.

The second part of the course puts those skills to use through individual, academic research in the form of work-based projects. This means that the learning derived through the course is immediately applied in the workplace to address real business issues.

The delivery is different as well. The mix will include on-line learning, evening and weekend workshops, individual tutorials, or seminars either at the new home of the SIT at High Street, Ipswich, the Suffolk College Campus or one of the outreach centres at Hadleigh or Framlingham.

The focus on the workplace brings real and enduring benefits to both companies and individuals.

Independent Study will be available through the SIT as from this September. Further details of the programme are available from Sue Blything-Smith on 01473 296679.

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Independent Study: The Employment-Based Foundation Degree

Introducing an innovative education programme that is designed to:

• Make it easier for people in the region to combine study with work to gain a high quality qualification

• Enable individuals to design a course according to his or her interests and aspirations

• Enable employers to work with the Suffolk Institute of Technology to devise a programme of study for employees that is tailored to needs of the business

• Exploit the benefits of e-learning

For further information please contact:

Tracey Bailey, Promotions & Information Centre Manager

Tel: 01473 296520

Email: traceybailey@suffolk.ac.uk

Clare Avery

Tel: 01473 296

Email: Clare.Avery@create.suffolk.ac.uk

Issued by Promotions, 31 August 2004.