MA/MSc/PGDip/PGCert Professional Development
This framework is really flexible and allows you to use the credit for courses you have already completed towards a recognised qualification.
About
The Professional Development Award (PDA) is a unique award - you set out the learning pathway, designing a bespoke academic qualification to suit your career and learning aspirations.
This award is flexible as you can:
- Start this award without importing credit, building credit module by module.
- Import previous UWE Bristol credit/external credit into the award to include marks which will count towards the final classification (depending on level of study, you will need to provide copies of transcripts).
- Gain credit from your experience; if you wish to do this you will be able to evidence this in a module via Accredited Experiential Learning (this module is 50% of normal fee).
The Professional Development Award (PDA) has only one compulsory module, Evidencing Work Based Learning (EWBL), which can be done at distance, and on a reflective practice if you wish (see our EWBL pages which demonstrate how this module can benefit both you and your employer).
The PDA can be started at any time; there are no limitations on how long you would like to spend completing the award.
The award descriptor you attain will be e.g. MSc Professional Development.
The table below demonstrates the way credit can make up the award:
| Primary Target | Total credits required for Award | Minimum compulsory EWBL credits | Maximum imported credit | Imported credits from levels |
| Postgraduate Certificate Professional Development | 60 | 15 level 7 | 45 | This can consist of up to 20 credits at level 6 (degree level), and further level 7 (Masters level) credits to a total of 45. Or, up to 45 credits at level 7 (Masters level). |
| Postgraduate Diploma Professional Development | 120 | 15 level 7 | 105 | This can consist of up to 40 credits at level 6 (degree level), and further level 7 (Masters level) credits to a total of 105. Or, up to 105 credits at level 7 (Masters level). |
| MA/MSc Professional Development | 180 | 40 credits level 7 research or EWBL | 120 | This can consist of up to 60 credits at level 6 (degree level), and further level 7 (Masters level) credits to a total of 120. Or, up to 120 credits at level 7 (Masters level). |
Benefits for employers
Work-based learning is at the core of the Professional Development Awards (PDA) and is an increasingly popular mode of study for employed people to gain a higher education award.
The PDA programme can develop a highly skilled workforce by identifying the specific learning needs of employees together with tailoring a programme to suit different businesses.
Academic facilitators work with an allocated mentor and the learner for work-based learning modules; with a module leader available for employees on any taught modules.
Key benefits to employers include:
- Re-skilling existing employees as business develops and grows.
- Meeting workforce professional development goals.
- Designing a bespoke qualification responsive to specific business need.
- Encouraging staff to engage with organisational change.
- Reducing time spent learning away from the workplace.
- We can also accredit in-house training programmes.
Find out more about the PDA
In the following videos, meet our Masters graduates from the College of Health, Science and Society, and find out how the UWE Bristol Professional Development (PDA) course and Work-Based Learning have enhanced their careers:
Entry requirements
To be eligible to study our PDA, you should:
- have been employed in the last 18 months.
- be self-employed or engaged in voluntary activity and have been working to an appropriate level.
Learners will be considered for entry to pursue the most appropriate level of study based on qualifications and/or their personal, professional or educational experience following guidance provided in line with UWE Bristol's entry requirements and admissions policies.
For postgraduate qualifications, applicants should normally have a first degree and/or at least two years professional experience.
Possession of knowledge and skills needed for admission to the University may be demonstrated by means other than via the usual entrance requirements.
We provide the academic support for those without formal qualifications to engage fully with study and gain higher level skills.
How to apply
To apply, you will need a completed Negotiated Learning Plan (NLP). We won't be able to accept your application without this document.
We are available to support you at any stage as you complete your NLP.
Here are the key steps in our application process:
- Download our example NLP (PDF) to see how a completed plan can look.
- Download and complete our NLP form (DOCX). If you need help with this form, our course experts are here to help. Email pd@uwe.ac.uk or call us +44 (0)117 32 81158.
- Click 'Apply Now' and follow the online application process.
Log in to your Professional Development Portal and upload your completed NLP*. Be ready to attach any relevant certificates and your transcript. The transcript is important and allows your marks for imported credit to be used.
*To upload a document, go to the bottom left corner of your Professional Development portal to a section called 'My Documents'. The course you have applied for should be displayed there. Click on the course here and 'add a document'. Select the 'add a document' and select the relevant option.
- Once the programme lead accepts your application, the Professional Development Portal will show the application status 'offer in progress' for final approval. Once approved, an offer will be emailed to you provided all evidence has been supplied (see step 4 above).
- You will then receive an offer email for you to accept or decline.
For further information
- Email: pd@uwe.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 81158
Structure
Content
- There are no common pathways through the Professional Development Award (PDA).
- One compulsory module - Evidencing Work Based Learning (EWBL).
- You can choose taught modules from a wide range of UWE Bristol professional courses.
Learning and Teaching
This will vary depending on the modules you choose to study.
Work-based learning
- If you're employed, you can take part in work-based learning. Most forms of employment are included.
- The key people involved in work-based learning are the learner, line manager, mentor and academic facilitator.
- As the learner, you take the initiative and negotiate schedules and activities, typically with your line manager.
- The mentor will guide and, where appropriate, give feedback. They may also assess competencies and learning outcomes.
- An academic facilitator will be appointed to guide you through evidencing your practical learning.
Assessment
Assessment details for the Evidencing Work Based Learning (EWBL) element of the award can be found on the EWBL webpage.
Assessment of more formally taught modules and modules for the assessment of experiential learning will use a range of approaches, negotiated between the academic facilitator, learner and the workplace.
Evidence of work-based learning is typically assessed by someone in your workplace and a UWE Bristol academic.
You can import credits from UWE Bristol or other academic institutions that have already been awarded, if they fit your programme, towards your target award.
You can also evidence prior work experience or informal learning against the learning outcomes of a pre-existing UWE Bristol module
For more details, see our full glossary of assessment terms.
Prices and dates
Supplementary fee information
There is a £200.00 registration fee payable upon registering for the award (if you have sponsorship for your fees, you will be able to state this in the application).
As this is a part-time programme, you will be required to fund your own tuition fees. You may be able to secure funding through employer sponsorship: find out more.
The cost of modules will vary according to the size and number of academic credits.
For information about fees and funding for courses, please see our fees and funding pages.
Additional costs
This refers to items you could need during your studies that are not covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
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