Degree Apprenticeships Launch to Employers

Programme OverviewDigital and Technology Solutions

Dr Victoria Uren Dr Harry Goldingay

v.uren@aston.ac.ukgoldinhj@aston.ac.uk

Outline

The Degree DeliverySupportWhy Aston?

Digital & Technology Solutions

The Degree

One Degree – Two Streams

• Technical FocusSoftware Engineering

• Technical and Business Focus

Business Information

Systems

Digital and Technology Solutions

The Outcome

Degrees lead to the award of full Aston BScActive, creative IT professionalsDepth of knowledge

Core Content

Shared Start-up Block Training: Java and OOP, software engineering, database systems and web development

Software EngineeringHow to think like a programmer: Problem SolvingPractical skills: Thorough grounding in OOP (through Java Program Construction), Data Structures and AlgorithmsSoftware Engineering

Business Information SystemsUnderstanding Data: Business Analytics and Data MiningManaging Data: Advanced Database SystemsMaking use of Financial Data: Introduction to Accounting and Business Economics

Background

2 work-based distance learning programmes, launched in April 2014.Collaboratively designed by Aston University and Capgemini.Progression route from higher apprenticeship to BSc.Established programme extended to include Stage 1 (Level 4)

i.e. the entire degree as an integrated unit

Research Driven Teaching

Aston’s focuses on research with real-world applications.The vast majority of our teaching staff have worked in or with industry and feed this into their teaching.Student’s benefit from cutting-edge research and industrial case studies in (to name a few):

data mining,human computer Interaction,international operations,geographic information systems,management consultancy.

Relevance and Flexibility

Large portions of the course can be tailored to the student.

Up to 60 credits (25% of the course) of optional modules to allow students to specialise.

Both streams have major group and individual projectsWe are happy to work with employers to tailor projects to:

employers’ needs.students’ working responsibilities.

Each student has a personal mentor to help:us to fit coursework to students’ roles,students to find opportunities to apply their learning in practice.

Developing Young Professionals

Apprenticeship delivery

Astondelivery

Project ready

Higher Apprentice

Digital & Technology Solutions

Delivery

Programme Structure

Two entry points: March and September

The programmes are divided into three stagesEach stage takes 18 monthsEquivalent to one year of a standard degree

Students take a block of 2-4 modules every 6 monthsEach block should take 400 learning hoursOne third of these should be from on-the-job experienceExpected 10-hour per week time commitment from students

Delivery Philosophy

Flexible learning:Combining work and study is tough!Giving students flexibility to choose when they study is key to making it work.

Continuous support:Students should not be disadvantaged by distance learning.Need regular communication and personal attention.

Online community:Learning does not happen in isolation.Discussion and collaboration give context and are encouraged throughout.

Modes of Delivery

Work-based

Distance

Face to Face

Work-based

Accelerated learning of core skills

Individual skills coaching to build employable, independent learners

Tailored to fit different occupational specialisms

Reflective approach to professional development

Distance Learning

Majority of the course delivered through virtual learning environment Blackboard.

Lectures recorded for students to watch (and re-watch) asynchronously.

Supported by other self-study learning objects.

Labs/tutorials/seminars delivered through “virtual classroom” Blackboard Collaborate.

Scheduled outside normal working hours (currently 8pm)Often repeated to allow flexible schedulingBacked by virtual office hours.

Benefits of Distance Learning

Flexible about when much content is consumed.No time wasted in travelling to a central locationLess disruption to business than block releaseStudents can revise & repeat recorded material

Face to Face Learning

Distance learning works well for most things, but, some are better in person, e.g.:

Student presentations/student-led seminarsPaper-based designGetting to know your mentors/supervisors

Students have 4 days every 6 months of on-campus teaching2 weekdays and 2 weekend daysCurrently split between start and middle of a block

Digital & Technology Solutions

Support

Support for Students

Admin support through: Aston Professional Engineering Centre

Academic support through:Programme directors: guiding the programme and monitoring progressTeaching assistants: for tutorials and office hours.Module owners: named academic for each module.Distance-learning specialist: for technical assistance

Personal Support through:Skills coach for first stage: responsible for making school leavers into professionals.Personal mentors: on going, independent professional support when needed to tackle learning issuesCompany mentors: for professional issuesLearning community: buddies and networks

Support For Students

As full Aston students, there are many other support services available.

Support for Employers

Frequent contact with programme directors:Monthly calls, with more in critical stages

Regular data on progress:Formative assessment scores as they are released.Attendance data to help diagnose issues.More detailed information from module leaders easy to get.

Input into programme design:Industry evolves and so should the programmes!

Digital & Technology Solutions

Why Aston?

Why Aston?

Aston has a track record of producing employable graduates

“You will struggle to find a university more keenly attuned to the needs of business and industry.” – The Sunday Times University

Guide

…and of taking students from with non-traditional academic backgrounds.

Willingness to work closely with employers

Satisfied students: 92% overall satisfaction in CS, 12th nationally

Aston Business School

Business modules delivered by Aston Business School

Internationally renowned: among the 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation.

Advantages of an Existing Programme

We already have a viable cohort in-place:More students means more flexibility of module choice

Depth and breadth of experience:Interaction with other companies’ undergraduates adds context

Assurance:Based closely on existing programmes endorsed by e-skills and the BCS.

Ready-to-go!

Summary

2 streams for IT-oriented junior talentSoftware Engineering for those focusing on technical computing.Business Information Systems for those in more business oriented roles.

Work-based blended learning:Majority distance learning designed to suit those in work

Commitment to work with employers to ensure programmes deliver the right skills.

Questions?

Contacts:Dr. Harry Goldingay (Programme Director Computer Science)

Email: goldinhj@aston.ac.ukTel: 0121 204 3918

Prof. Ian Nabney (Head of Computer Science):Email: i.t.nabney@aston.ac.ukTel: 0121 204 3645

Dr Victoria Uren (Programme Director Business School)Email: v.uren@aston.ac.ukTel: 0121 204 3707