Contents
Foundation and Vocational Education Centre
Rationale
Pre-university Foundation Courses such as shown here and the British Foundation degrees are considered a part of vocation education which has been defined as follows:
Vocational Education (or Vocational Education and Training (VET) - now called Career and Technical Education (CTE)) prepares learners for careers or professions that are traditionally non-academic and directly related to a specific trade, occupation or vocation, hence the term, in which the learner participates. It is sometimes referred to as technical education, as the learner directly specialises in a particular narrow technique of using technology.
Vocational education might be contrasted with education in a usually broader scientific field, which might concentrate on theory and abstract conceptual knowledge, characteristic of tertiary education .Vocational education is in most cases a form of secondary or post-secondary education. In some cases, vocational education can contribute towards a tertiary education at a university as academic credit however, it is rarely considered in its own form to fall under the traditional definition of a higher education. Up until the end of the twentieth century, vocational education focused on specific trades such as for example, an automobile mechanic or welder, and was therefore associated with the activities of lower social classes. As a consequence, it attracted a level of stigma. Vocational education is related to the age-old apprenticeship system of learning. |
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However, as the labour market becomes more specialised and economies are demanding more skills, governments and businesses are increasingly investing in the future of vocational education through publicly funded training organisations and subsidised apprenticeship or traineeship initiatives for businesses. At the post-secondary level vocational education is typically provided by an institute of technology, or by a local community college.
Vocational education has diversified over the 20th century and now exists in industries such as retail, tourism, information technology, funeral services and cosmetics, as well as in the traditional crafts and cottage industries.
The Foundation Degree is a vocational qualification introduced by the government of the United Kingdom in September 2001, which is available in England. It is similar in level to the American associate's degree, and in the United Kingdom sits between the Higher National Diploma & Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts level of education. Courses are typically two years long and are offered both by universities and colleges of higher education.
Foundation degrees are intended to give a foundation in a subject, thus the name, that enables the holder to go on to employment in that field. They have been designed in partnership with employers and Further education colleges (FEC's). The latter were seen to be more 'in touch' with vocationally oriented students, and the needs of industry, while Higher Education Institutions (HEI's) officered the rigour of quality control to the partnership. One of a number of important differences between the Foundation Degree and the Higher National Diploma (HND) is that it stands as a degree, and as such has a common value of 240 Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points in the UK Higher Education System. By contrast, the HND could be recognised for entry to a degree course at as little as no credits, and as much as 240 credits, depending on the receiving institution. |
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A further important difference is that Foundation Degrees, as originally conceived, were to give students with substantial industry experience the opportunity to frame what they knew against appropriate academic perspectives, and were to be accessible by students 'in work'. This reflects a strategic shift towards lifelong learning, in support of the Blair governments commitment to expand the number of Degree award holders in the UK. The Foundation degree has also been suggested to serve other agendas, including bringing HEI's and particularly Universities into contact with the communities and industries which they serve, and redressing the so called 'academic drift' of the former polytechnics. Foundation Degrees have been 'locally grown' by HEI/FEC/industry partnerships following guidelines laid down by Foundation Degree Forward. The partnerships have been able to offer a range of formats, including full-time, part-time, distance learning etc. One of the conditions attached to the recognition/validation of a Foundation Degree is that it must lead, in turn to a full Degree Award, sometimes called a 'Top Up degree'. |
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Module Structure
Programme and Learning Contents
Select your Programme and Learning Guide and Workshops for Management Related Programmes and Modules, below:
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Management FoundationCertificate in Business Management Semester 1
Semester 2
Plus one subject from the following options: |
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Diploma in Business ManagementSemester 1
Semester 2
Plus one subject from the following options: |
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Business and International TradeSemester 1
Semester 2 |
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Business Foundation Programme (1-semester)Core Subjects
Optional Modules (select two)
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Business and Management FoundationSemester One
Semester Two
Research and Project Management
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Marketing, Customer Service and Public Relations FoundationTeaching and Learning Resources Scanning the Marketing Environment. Analysing Markets and Buying Behaviours. Dealing with Competition. Identifying Market Segments and Selecting Target Markets. Positioning and Differentiating Market Offering over the Life Cycle. Developing New Market Offerings Managing Product Lines, Brands and Packaging. Designing and Managing Services. Ethical issues in pricing. Designing Pricing Strategies and Programmes. Managing Advertising, Sales Promotion and Public Relations. Ethical issues in promotion. Managing Direct and Online Marketing Managing Total Marketing Effort
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Business Administration
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Business AdministrationCertificate in Business Administration
Diploma in Business Administration - Part 1
Diploma in Business Administration - Part 2
Advanced Diploma in Business Administration
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Business Information SystemsCertificate in Business Information Systems
Diploma in Information Systems - Part 1
Diploma in Information Systems - Part 2
Advanced Diploma in Information Systems |
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Travel, Tourism & Hospitality ProgrammeCertificate in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality
Diploma in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality - Part 1
Diploma in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality - Part 2
Advanced Diploma in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality |
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Human Resource ManagementCertificate in HRM
Diploma in HRM
Advanced Diploma in HRM |
BTEC Higher National and Professionals Awards
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BTEC Higher National Certificate in Business
Five core units
Five specialist units from the list
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BTEC Higher National Diploma in Business
Eight core units
Eight specialist units from the list BTEC Professional Award, Certificate and Diploma in Management StudiesUnit 1: Advanced
Professional Development |
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MBA Foundation Courses
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