What is a Work-Based Programme?

 

Work-based courses are similar to a traditional programme, but they are designed for you to  research something specific to your job. Your research may be on your day-to-day tasks, your company, or even the industry your company operates in. This means that you can produce a research project that benefits your company.
 
Key Differences

Since you'll be writing about your company, you will need their permission to start a work-based programme. 

If you aren't able to get your company's consent (for example: confidentiality reasons), you can still enrol and produce a more theoretical research project which isn't specific to your company. For instance, if you work in marketing, you may do a project researching the effectiveness of social media marketing in other businesses within your industry.

Another important difference is that you'll need a workplace mentor to help you throughout your research. Typically our students pick their managers as a preferred mentor but please note, any colleague within your company can be selected. This can range from trainees to executives. Your mentor will only need to contribute a few lines of writing to your project. Their main role is to help you plan out your research methodology and to keep you on track should you get stuck.

Once your research plan has been approved, you can see your work-based mentor as little or as often as you like.
 
What if I change jobs part way through my research?

If you happen to change jobs in the middle of your research you will not be penalised. You are allowed to amend and update your research topic as many times as necessary throughout the programme at no further costs. However, in extreme circumstances amending your research has the potential to change your current deadlines which in turn could make your programme take longer than expected.
 
If we didn't answer any of your questions, please let us know by emailing [email protected]