Page last updated 24 October 2024
This framework is really flexible and allows you to use the credit for courses you have already completed towards a recognised qualification.
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:
PDA has only one compulsory module; Evidencing Work Based Learning 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 benefits of obtaining a PDA for employers and employees are that the Award can:
The table below demonstrates the way credits can make up the award:
| Primary target | Total credits required | Minimum compulsory UWE Bristol work based learning credits | Maximum imported credit | Imported credits can be made up of the following levels |
| Certificate Professional Development | 60 | 15 level 1 | 45 | Up to 45 credits at level 1. |
| Graduate Certificate Professional Development | 60 | 15 level 6 | 45 | This can consist of up to 20 credits at level 1 or 2, and further level 6 credits to a total of 45. Or, up to 45 credits at level 6. |
| Certificate of Higher Education Professional Development | 120 | 15 level 1 | 105 | Up to 105 credits at level 1. |
| Diploma Professional Development | 200 | 15 level 2 | 185 | This can consist of up to 120 credits at level 1, and further level 2 credits to a total of 120. Or, up to 185 credits at level 2. |
| FdA/FdSc Professional Development | 240 | 30 level 2 20 credits level 1 or above 20 credits level 2 or above | 225 | This can consist of up to 140 credits at level 1, and further level 2 credits to a total of 225. Or, up to 225 credits at level 2. |
| BA/BSc Professional Development | 300 | 15 level 6 | 285 | This can consist of up to 200 credits at level 1, up to 40 credits at level 2, and up to 60 credits at level 6 to a total of 285 credits. Or, up to 285 credits at level 6. |
| BA (Hons)/BSc (Hons) Professional Development | 360 | 30 credits level 6 including research or EWBL | 325 | This can consist of up to 160 credits at level 1, up to 100 credits at level 2, and up to 100 credits at level 6 to a total of 325 credits. Or, up to 325 credits at level 6. |
Find out more about the PDA
In the following videos, meet our Masters graduates from the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, and find out how the UWE Bristol Professional Development (PDA) course and Work-Based Learning have enhanced their careers:
In order to be eligible to study PDA, you should:
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.
Possession of knowledge and skills needed for admission to the University may be demonstrated by means other than via the usual entrance requirements.
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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).
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.
Go to the Professional Development Portal from the UWE Bristol login page - select MyCPD log in and upload your NLP as well as certificates and transcripts for credit you wish to import in your Professional Development Portal (the transcript is important as this will allow your marks for imported credit to be used. Without evidence of marks the minimum pass mark will be input and could affect your final award classification).
Please note: The programme lead will be unable to progress the application without the NLP document. 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 show, click on the course here and a new field will appear that says 'add a document'. Click in the add a document box and select the item you would like to add.