Principles
A set of principles will act as the foundation for work-based learning programmes at the School of Computing Science in the University of Glasgow. The principles have been agreed to ensure that in devising, developing and delivering work-based learning programmes for software engineering, the outcome is a rigorous qualification, respected by industry, parents and prospective students.
Additional Resources
The devised principles for work-based learning reflect the University of Glasgow Learning and Teaching Strategy 2015-2020. The principles will form the foundation of work-based learning programme to ensure the attainment of graduate attributes. The principles also attempt in-part to ensure the quality expectations of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) for work-based learning.
Equivalent Degree Programme
The assessment and feedback tactics utilised in our work-based learning programmes will achieve the overall strategy of delivering a programme with the same academic rigour and equivalence of a traditional academic degree. Consequently, academic tariffs are expected to be inline with our traditional degree programmes and students will be awarded a degree conferred by the University of Glasgow. Nevertheless, a rigorous process will be developed to ensure recognition of prior learning and recognition of industrial experience. The aim is not to lower the bar, but to support students in attaining expected entry and progression requirements.
Equal Partnership
The School of Computing Science will devise, develop and deliver any work-based learning programmes in collaboration with lead industrial partners. The aspiration is to curate theory to reflect the needs of industry while ensuring a curriculum that delivers a versatile, professional software engineer. A software engineer that is not restricted to a specific company, but is valuable to the wider industry as well.
Community of Practice
The formation of strong communities of practice are central to a successful work-based learning degree programme. The expectation is that students will be able to reflect and contrast their personal experiences of their workplaces, both on-campus and off-campus through various different environments. Furthermore, the formation of strong communities of practice will also be important to on-going development of workplace mentors as well as lecturers delivering theoretical content on-campus.
Industry led
The work-based learning degree programme will be developed in partnership between academics, industry partners and professional bodies. However, the expectation is that the curation of theoretical content will be led by industrial partners. The curriculum must meet the challenges and needs of industry, while ensuring a versatile and well-rounded professional software engineer.
Research shaped
While work-based learning degree programmes should address the current perceived needs of industry, they cannot afford to neglect the opportunities of tomorrow. A successful work-based learning degree programme will be shaped by emerging research to ensure employers and the wider economy can remain disruptive and competitive. This aspiration will be reflected in our work-based learning degree programmes with students in consultation with employers able to strike their own path through the degree programme, opting for specialist research topics. The approach not only ensures employers can utilise emerging research, but strengthens the impact of research generated at research-led institutions.