Preparing YOU for Employment
University Centre Askham Bryan has offered higher educational qualifications for many years and works in partnership with many representative employers to design and deliver degree programmes that ensure you are ‘ready to work’. The goal is that when you graduate, you can contribute to the productivity and development of industry using those all-important graduate level skills that have been part of your personal development, alongside your academic studies.
Courses have key themes essential for transferable employability embedded at all levels of study. These include high-level skills in commonly used IT software and effective business management modules.
All degree courses at University Centre Askham Bryan aim to develop appropriate vocational skills and knowledge to prepare students to pursue the career of their choice.
Our students are supported to enhance their employability by development of personal attributes and transferable skills and by the development of specialist knowledge and skills appropriate to the industry they wish to enter.
Our aim is to help students gain sustainable employment, become effective employees and succeed in their chosen career path within the global economy of the future.
The College was praised for our “placement opportunities and how these expand the learning environment for students. As a result of placements, a number of students have been successful in securing employment” (QAA, 2014)
Opportunities for Work Placements
All University Centre Askham Bryan students are required to undertake assessed work placement modules at both Level 4 and 5 during their time at College, completing a minimum of 300 hours in the workplace in total (150 hours each year). Those on Level 6 top up programmes are encouraged to continue to engage in placement activities although this is optional at this level of study.
The College has close contact with an extensive network of employers who provide a wide range of paid and unpaid placement opportunities. This includes local, regional, national and in some cases international opportunities can we available.
Students on placements complete a taught module in each year of study to prepare them for placement and future graduate work. These modules include a focus on developing job application and career development planning skills. Students will engage in personal development planning, CV writing, mock interviews and really get to understand the dynamics of their industry. Health and Safety awareness is highly important to our land-based students and our programmes reflect this.
Veterinary Nursing Placements
For our Veterinary Nursing Foundation Degree, the work placement is a requirement during the second year of study as a “sandwich year”. This must consist of a minimum of 40 hours per week over a 52-week period. Students will be placed by the centre. The fee during the sandwich year is currently £1800. Any loans which students have previously been in receipt of through the Student Loan Company could be affected by the sandwich year and students are advised to consult with the loan company about what is available.
Commercial Qualifications
Students entering the land-based sector may have enhanced employment prospects if they hold professional qualifications in addition to their degree awards.
We encourage all our students to consider whether additional study of appropriate commercial qualifications and certificates of competence might be essential for their future career.
The College’s large commercial training department offers a wide range of qualifications led by specialists in their field and students may be eligible for a discount from the published fees.
Professional Attributes and Transferable Skills
All our degree programmes aim to develop personal skills and attributes. Embedded in our modules are elements designed to develop skills in communication, presentation, literacy, numeracy, business and IT. In addition, our graduates will have developed skills to enhance their employability in areas such as team working, leadership and problem solving. Programmes also develop awareness of social, economic, cultural, ethical, environmental and sustainability issues. Assessments encourage students to engage with live projects and case studies from industry. The College aims to produce graduates who are adaptable, flexible, reflective and effective at managing their time and capable of creativity.