Scottish Centre for Work Based Learning

BSc by Learning Contract in partnership with the Institution of Railway Operators

Programme starts: October

The Scottish Centre for Work Based Learning (SCWBL) at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) has successfully bid for the accreditation and delivery of a degree level CPD programme for the Institution of Railway Operators. The objectives of The Institution of Railway Operators are:

To advance, for the benefit of the general public, the safe and reliable operation of the railways by improving technical and general skills, knowledge and competence, and promoting the training of persons engaged in the operation of the railways in the United Kingdom, including:

providing or arranging to be provided, conferences, training courses, exhibitions, meetings, seminars, lectures and classes either alone or with others
promoting education in the safe and reliable operation of the rail systems by developing, with the Centre for Rail Skills and others, a range of nationally recognised qualifications
improving the safety standards of operators of the railway network in the United Kingdom through conducting research, instituting tests and examinations and promoting a high standard of conduct or good working practices among railway operators

Programme structure

Diploma level
Personal and Professional Development Delivered by Glasgow Caledonian University 20 credits
Railway Operating Principles 20 credits
Customer Service 10 credits
Managing People 10 credits
Train Planning and Performance Management (Part 1) 15 credits
Safety Law and Management (Part 1) 15 credits
Railway Business Organisation 10 credits
Work Based Integrated project. This will include inputs on theory from GCU and a negotiated project designed to deploy the skills and knowledge used in the previous 8 modules. Delivered by Glasgow Caledonian University in collaboration with Institution of Railway Operators Tutors. 20 credits

Degree level
Personal and Professional Development through Work Based Learning Delivered by Glasgow Caledonian University 20 credits
Managing Passenger and Freight Operations 10 credits
Safety Law and Management (Part 2) 15 credits
Train Planning and Performance Management (Part 2) 10 credits
Train movement control systems 10 credits
Emergency Planning, Mishap Management and Investigation 15 credits
Railway Engineering 10 credits
Railway Economics 10 credits
Work Based Integrated project. This will include inputs on theory from GCU and a negotiated project designed to deploy the skills and knowledge used in the previous 8 modules. Delivered by Glasgow Caledonian University in collaboration with Institution of Railway Operators Tutors. 20 credits

Requirements for participating in Work Based Learning

The general principle that the Glasgow Caledonian University applies to any applicant to a programme of study is that they may be admitted if there is a reasonable expectation that they will be able to fulfil the objectives of the programme and achieve the standard required for the award.

Generally this means that students applying for the Diploma level (Associate Membership of IRO) of the course are expected to have 5 passes in the Scottish Certificate of Education of which 2 are at Advanced Higher level 2 GCE A level passes plus 2 GCSEs at Grade C (or above), Cert. HE or HNC, or equivalent. Students applying for entry into the Degree level (membership of IRO) would be expected to have a HND or Dip HE.

However, if the University is satisfied that the applicant has fulfilled some of the progression and attainment requirements of the programme by means other than attendance on the joint GCU/IRO programme and has a reasonable expectation of being able to complete the remaining requirements to fulfil the objectives of the programme and attain the standard required for the award, that student may be admitted to the diploma level of the programme only and allowed to progress, on condition that he or she has been interviewed by staff of the university and successfully completes a report outlining an appropriate level and coverage of prior learning - accreditation of prior learning/prior experiential learning (APL/APEL).

Fees

Diploma level: 2008/09 course fee is £2300.00 for employees of Corporate Members and £2400.00 for other candidates.

Degree level: 2008/09 course fee is £2850.00 for employees of Corporate Members and £2950.00 for other candidates.

Please visit the IRO website for additional information: http://www.railwayoperators.org/pages/education.html

Applying for a Place

All applications and enquiries regarding entry qualifications should be made to:

Mike Hill
Programme Administrator
Institution of Railway Operators
education@railwayoperators.org

Updated: 15 February, 2010 | Site editor | Legal