What is Work Based Learning?

Glasgow Caledonian is the only University in Scotland to offer the opportunity to gain awards by work based learning from Higher Education Certificate  through to Professional Doctorate level.  This is achieved by using acdemic models and theories to frame, analyse and solve real work based problems.
 
We offer these programmes on an individual, group and company basis and although all of these differ to some extent they share the notion that the workplace is the site of knowledge creation and that academic and work based knwledge can be integrated to enrich both the workplace and the University.

How does it work?

From the beginning, we negotiate a Learning Contract between the University and the individual or organisation that defines what the learners are intended to achieve in terms of knowledge, skills and understanding, as well as the time, place and pace of study.

Learning Contracts run to an agreed timeline, but can commence at any point in the calendar year. As well as the benefit of learning through work based projects, learners will be working with others who share similar working contexts.

What is a Learning Contract?

• A Learning Contract is a programme of study which relates directly to the job that an individual or group is doing in the workplace
• Every Learning Contract is broken down into a series of learning goals or outcomes
• It sets out agreed assessment criteria including the mode of assessment
• It sets out timescales
• Completion of the learning goals or outcomes is required for the award of academic credit points and awards.
• There are no exams

Is it a real degree?

Degrees and other H.E. qualifications achieved through a work based learning contract with Glasgow Caledonian University have equal standing with our traditional University qualifications. GCU is the only University in Scotland to offer the opportunity to gain awards by work based learning from level one through to Professional Doctorate level.