BA(Hons)/BSc(Hons)/FdA/FdSc/GradDip/Dip/CertHE/GradCert/Cert Professional Development
Introduction
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:
- 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).
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:
- address skill shortages
- address staff development objectives
- be tailored to upskill staff whilst offering a bespoke qualification valued by employers, and employees alike.
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:
Entry requirements
In order to be eligible to study 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.
Possession of knowledge and skills needed for admission to the University may be demonstrated by means other than via the usual entrance requirements.
Careers / Further study
Get inspired
Our award-winning Careers Services will develop your employment potential through career coaching and find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.
We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.
Visit our employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.
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 courses.
Learning and Teaching
- This will vary depending on the modules you choose to study.
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.
- For more details, see our full glossary of assessment terms.
Features
Study facilities
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
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).
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.
How to apply
- Click on the example Negotiated Learning Plan (NLP) below to see an example of how a fully completed NLP should look
- Fill in the NLP to be completed (below) with your information and save it on your computer.
- Click the 'Apply Now' button in the yellow banner at the top of this page, and go through the online application process.
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.
- Once the programme lead approves the application, the Professional Development Portal will show the application status offer in progress and will be taken to the next governance group (taking place on the start date of the course) for formal approval. Once formally approved, an offer will be sent to you as long as all evidence for imported section 1 credit has been uploaded.
- When you receive the offer email, click on the link to accept or decline.
- If you accept the offer, you will be registered as a Professional Development student, the £200 registration fee will be charged (according to the funding stated on the application), completing registration for the award.
- UG Negotiated Learning Plan (NLP) (Word) - to be completed.
- Example UG Negotiated Learning Plan (NLP) (PDF).
For further information
- Email: pd@uwe.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 81158