Curriculum Information

Document Version

QAA Benchmarks

Educational Aim

Learning Outcomes

Course Structure

Level 4 Modules

Level 5 Modules

Level 6 Modules

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and Teaching Methods

Employer Engagement

Work-based Learning

The students are employed and working within their employers’ premises. This forms a large part (>38%) of the students’ study time.

Other

Most modules use case studies, scenarios and examples from the computer industry to illustrate concepts and their importance. Opportunities for work-related learning activities continue as students engage in and contribute in a positive manner to the solution of world of work tasks and problems.

Means of Assessment

Learning Support

Induction

Both a company and University induction will be provided at the start of the course.

The University’s course and module database system (currently ICIS) provides access to both course information and module definitions.

Personal tutor

Each student will be assigned a Personal Academic Coach, together with a Company supervisor, who can quickly recognise each student and identify each one’s engagement and progress

Office hours

Typically, USW staff are available when not teaching,company staff will follow their usual contracted working hours.

Tutorials

Every module has at least one hour of tutorial or lab practical where students are able to practice what they are learning and receive individual support.

Formative Assessment

The suggested formative assessment will give an ongoing indication of performance. The university and employer will be able to support the apprentice and provide extra guidance where performance issues might arise to ensure that the apprentice is fully supported in meeting the course outcomes. This will provide regular review points to ensure guided progression.

This approach draws upon the established good practice already undertaken in universities, but with the advantage of employer support and the workplace context to help apprentices see the real-world application of their skills, knowledge and behaviours on an ongoing basis.

In practice, this means that:

Apprentices acquire skills, knowledge and behaviours via the modules and assessments provided by the university.Apprentices do not have to be assessed more than once in specific knowledge areas.

Individual modules will be assessed and must be passed in accordance with university regulations. This will ensure that the student is prepared and ready to undertake the Capstone project near the end of the programme and that will demonstrate successful outcomes against the skills, knowledge and behaviours.

Lectures and tutorials contain formative exercises to encourage students to experiment and gain practical experience. These will be staged throughout the modules and take the form of questions, programming tasks, presentations, short reports, MCQ and other forms as suitable. This is especially important as the students do not attend the University campus on a regular basis.

Progress meetings

Each student should report progress to his/her project supervisor via their fortnightly meetings.

Online Resources

Teaching and coursework assessment materials are made available on-line through the University’s virtual learning environment (Unilearn). These materials may be supplemented by each college’s virtual learning environment.

Modern computing laboratories provide access to specialist resources.

Each student has an academic e-mail account that is particularly useful when requesting support from teaching and tutorial staff.

Advice Centres

USW operates an Advice Zone to allow students to gain access to support services.

DDS Service

USW has a DDS Service that can agree an Individual Support Plan, this plan summarises the support that has been agreed for each student.

IT/Library

USW has a learning resource centre to support students, and provides access to textbooks, journals, on-line materials and equipment

Course Exit Points

Progression Route

Students who successfully complete the degree course will be suitable applicants to progress to any Computing-based Masters level courses.If the award is a progression route for other courses, please specify which and where they are delivered:CourseMSc Computing and Information Systems, MSc in Data Science, MSc in Cyber Security and MSc in Computer Forensics.LocationUniversity of South Wales

Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

The employer and university will seek to advertise widely, and USW will promote this programme through its network of FE partners as well as by the employer through public advert. There is also scope to explore how any future L3/4 apprenticeship provision in software engineering area could feed into a fast track route. We will seek to promote awareness of degree apprenticeships in this sector as an option via our schools and colleges outreach and local partnerships. We have already provided a generic briefing on degree apprenticeships to advisers at our annual conference.

Once the main award is up and running, we will work with the employer and our FE network to explore outreach to Schools and Colleges and the development of future progression pathways from lower level apprenticeships.

The arrangements for admissions will seek to ensure equality of opportunity for all applicants. It is expected that anyone admitted to the course should be able to fulfil the objectives of this particular course and achieve the required standard. Evidence will be required that applicants are able to meet the demands of the course.

Typical A-Level Offer

BCC - CDD (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).

Typical Welsh BACC Offer

Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C/D in the Skills Challenge Certificate and BC - CD at A Level (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).

Typical BTEC Offer

BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit - Merit Merit Pass (this is equivalent to 112-80 UCAS tariff points).

Typical IB Offer

Pass the International Baccalaureate Diploma with higher grades of between 655-445 (this is equivalent to 112-80 UCAS tariff points)

Additional Requirements

GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics and English at Grade C or above, or their equivalent but consideration is given to individual circumstances

Equivalent international qualifications are acceptable. In general, international applicants will need to have achieved an overall IELTS grade of 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.

Those without such qualifications are considered on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience may be taken into account. Consideration for RPCL, RPEL and work-based learning is available within University procedures. In each case entry is judged on a reasonable expectation of the applicant successfully completing the course.

The company offering an apprenticeship will coordinate the recruitment process, in the case of Capgemini the process is outlined here: https://careers.uk.capgemini.com/apprentices/

If the application for a Degree Apprenticeship is shortlisted, they will be asked to complete a online Situational Strength Test to ascertain the applicant’s cultural fit. If they are successful, the next stage will be a Digital Interview which is a combination of written and video recorded questions. Next, they will be invited to an assessment centre on-site, consisting of an interview, micro exercises and a group exercise.

Planned Marketing is:

USW apprenticeship scheme focused web page on Capgemini site (akin to the Aston University degree apprenticeship)

School talks and attending apprenticeship events

Centre Apprenticeship event during Apprenticeship week, to invite schools to.

Leveraging third party social media channels e.g. Debut.

Inclusive Curriculum Statement

The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/

Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution

N/A