Course description
The Graduate Certificate/Diploma route is a flexible way for graduates to be given an award for further study in modules at degree and honours level. For example, a Biology graduate may wish to develop expertise in the Forensic Science area, or an Engineering graduate taking modules for continuing professional development over a number of years could have this work recognised by the award of a Certificate or Diploma.
The awards on offer have the title of Graduate Certificate or Diploma in either Science or Engineering, depending on which modules are studied. In the School of Engineering and Science, there are over 150 modules available at degree and honours level in a diverse selection of subjects. It also gives students the option of specialising in an area such as Chemical Engineering or Microbiology or broadening their experience by taking modules from a range of topics such as Sports and Quality Management.
The programme is ideally suited for graduates who are undergoing continuing professional development or for those who want to refresh their skills perhaps after a career break.
Attendance on this programme is flexible, depending on individual requirements. Modules are available during the daytime, evening and weekend, as well as during the summer. It is envisaged that the majority of potential students studying for the award of Graduate Certificate or Diploma would do so on a part-time basis, with the likely duration (assuming consecutive attendance pattern without gaps) being 1-2 years to certificate and 2-4 to diploma level. The programme may also be taken on a full-time basis by negotiation. However, credit would be certificated without time constraint.
For the Graduate Certificate, completion of the equivalent of 4 modules (60 points) is required to enable the award to be made. For the Graduate Diploma, 8 module equivalents are required (120 points).
Courses in the School of Engineering and Science have a strong vocational element; a feature greatly valued by employers. In this programme, a module called Professional Practice in Engineering and Science will be taken, allowing work-based learning to be undertaken. For those not in employment, this module will allow work visits and a study of current work practices in a suitable industrial sector.
Course Contents
A great variety of possible programmes of study are possible depending previous qualifications and experience. For example there are module combinations that would be ideal for graduates wishing to retrain or develop their expertise in:
* Forensic Science
* Pharmaceutical Science
* Computer-Aided Design
* Civil Engineering
* Biomedical Sciences
* Medical Technology
* Quality Management
* Chemical Engineering
