FdA/BA Honours Recruitment Practice Degree

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At a glance UCAS code: N616

Course length
Flexible: 2 to 5 years depending on experience
Course start
30th January 2012
Course Location
Hendon

Overview & facilities

The £26 billion private recruitment industry is one of the UK's fastest-growing sectors. Critical to the success of the industry is the development of its people. Since 2004 Middlesex University Business School and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) have exclusively offered the Foundation Degree (FdA) and subsequent BA Honours Recruitment Practice degree. 

The Middlesex Recruitment Practice course provides a flexible, learner centred approach to learning for professionals in the recruitment industry wishing to achieve an academic qualification to meet personal and professional development.  The course is designed in collaboration with REC to support professional practice and development of recruiters. Holders of the Diploma in Recruitment Practice are awarded 120 credits towards the University degree qualification.

The course is designed with the busy professionals in mind.  Through a work based approach, modules can be planned and achieved to suit individual requirements.  There are 4 taught sessions, access to e-learning material and resources and tutorial support.  Learning resources offered through Middlesex is  is very good and needs to be emphasised.

The taught sessions are delivered in workshop style using ‘action learning’ as a tool to engage students to identity their own learning, current opportunities and future development.

The course has flexible start dates and is a distance learning course that has successfully produced graduates from across the UK, for example, Guernsey, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Monmouth and Aberdeenshire. On the course you will be provided with one-day workshops, module materials and web based resources.

Location & map

This course is based at our Hendon campus in north-west London.

Address: Middlesex University, Hendon campus, The Burroughs, London NW4 4BT UK

To find out how to get to the campus see Travel Directions to Hendon campus. The nearest tube station is Hendon Central on the Northern line.

Nearest halls of residence

There are four halls of residence either on or near to Hendon campus. Usher Hall is on campus, opposite the College Building.

Platt and Writtle Halls are at the same location in Colindale, a 20 minute walk from campus.

Ivy Hall is also a short distance away by public transport in Cricklewood.

Content & modules

  • Review of Learning and Portfolio Building
  • Programme and Project Planning
  • Research Methods
  • Work Based Learning Project

During your studies you will complete further projects testing the analytical and evaluative approach to issues you need to deal with in the workplace. This leads to the Foundation award (FdA) after which you are eligible to progress to the final year of a BA Honours in Recruitment Practice where you will be introduced to research methods which prepare you to undertake the final project.

Level 1 

The course has been designed to develop a basic understanding of the principles of work-based learning.

Level 1 is made up of a combination of the following modules:

  • MBS1112 Effective Learning (20 credits)
  • MBS1301 Review of Learning and Portfolio Building 1(20 credits)
  • MBS1303 Programme and Project Planning 1(20 credits)
  • MBS1304/5 Work-based Learning Project (20 credits)
  • MBS1306 Work-based Learning Project (30 credits)
  • MBS1307 Work-based Learning Project (40 credits)

Students who have completed the REC diploma are exempt from studying Level 1.

Level 2

Level 2 moves from processes to the development of strategic dimensions in thinking and decision making.  By the end of level 2, you should have developed an analytical and evaluative approach to your academic and work-based learning. 

Level 2 is made up of a combination of the following modules:

  • MBS2301 Review of Learning and Portfolio Building 2 (20 credits)
  • MBS2303 Programme and Project Planning 1 (20 credits)
  • MBS2304/5/6 Work-based Learning Project (20 credits)
  • MBS2307/8 Work-based Learning Project (30 credits)
  • MBS2309 Work-based Learning Project (40 credits)

(You may negotiate to take alternative ‘taught’ modules at the appropriate level from the range of modules across the Business School.)

Level 3

Level 3 is made up of the following compulsory module: 

  • MBS3302 Research Methods 1 (20 credits)

Plus a combination of the following modules that make up a further 100 credits at level 3:

  • MBS3301  Review of Learning and Portfolio Building 3 (20 credits)
  • MBS3303 Programme and Project Planning 1 (20 credits)
  • MBS3302 Research Methods (20 credits)
  • MBS3304/5 Work-based Learning Project (20 credits)
  • MBS3306/7 Work-based Learning Project (30 credits)
  • MBS3308 Work-based Learning Project (40 credits)
  • MBS3850 Work-based Learning Project (60 credits)

(You may negotiate to take alternative ‘taught’ modules at the appropriate level from the range of modules across the Business School.)

Entry & applying

We normally require GCSEs or equivalent in English and Maths and at least 3 years experience of working in the recruitment industry.

You need to be working in the recruitment industry.

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.0 (with minimum 5.5 in all four components) or TOEFL internet based 72 (with at least 17 in listening & writing, 20 in speaking and 18 in reading).

Middlesex also offers an Intensive Academic English course (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk.

Fees & funding

Fees for 2012/2013

£75 per credit.

Cost for 120 credits (1 year) is £9,000.

Total cost for 360 credits (three years) is £27,000.

Students with an REC diploma pay approximately half the fees in year 1.

Careers & placements

A business or marketing degree opens the door to a range of careers - usually commanding good salaries. You will have developed highly sought-after employment skills as well as those specifically associated with planning, organisation and control.

Our careers service offers you a range of support both while you're studying with us, and after you've graduated.

Placements
Work placements are proven to increase your success in the job market, as well as being a fantastic experience. Business and marketing are highly competitive fields so we encourage as many students as possible to grasp this opportunity.

We have a dedicated Placement Service which helps you find and plan for a placement.

Graduate Employment prospects
Latest survey figures show that six months after graduating

  • 89% of Middlesex graduates were in employment
  • 5% were assumed to be unemployed
  • 3% went onto further study
  • 3% were doing something else, such as travelling

(Based on data from respondents of the 2007 Destination of Leavers in Higher Education Survey)

The average starting salary for graduates in human resource management is £25-37,000 in a Human Resource Officer role.

Examples of the types of jobs that graduates from the class of 2007 are doing include a HR Officer at Kingston Technology; a Recruitment Manager at Wagamama; a HR assistant at Sainsbury's and a Recruitment Manager at Careline Services.

Graduate Roles
Below are just a few examples of the types of careers that you could pursue after graduating with us

Human Resources (HR) OfficerHuman resources officers, also known as personnel officers develop, advise on and implement policies relating to the effective use of staff within an organisation. Your work will usually involves staff recruitment, employee record keeping, staff training and development, counselling staff, dealing with grievances and disciplinary procedures, promoting equal opportunities and health and safety and dealing with staff pay, benefits, redundancy and employment.

Employee Relations Officer As an employee relations officer you will advise on employment matters including the interpretation of legislation, company policies and their application. Your role will be to maintain good employee relations and, where necessary, support investigatory and disciplinary hearings. You will also assist with other HR projects as and when requested and contribute to the development of HR policies and procedures.

Training and Development Officer-Manager The role of a training and development officer-manager is to liaise with managers in identifying staff training needs, and creatively design bespoke training programmes that help to maintain a motivated and skilled workforce.

Recruitment Consultant As a recruitment consultant you work on behalf of employer clients to recruit staff for job vacancies. You will provide advice to both clients and candidates on salary levels, training requirements and career opportunities. Developing solid relationships with clients is essential to the role.

Open days

Open days and Applicant days for this course are held at our Hendon campus in London. See the location and maps tab for information on how to get here.

University Open Days

Open days offer you the opportunity to learn more about Middlesex and get a feeling for what life is like on our campuses. These include welcome and subject talks, campus and accommodation tours and other aspects of studying at university.

Open days are also a great opportunity to find out more about how to apply to University, and what the fees and funding options are.

Find out more about our undergraduate Open Days and book your place now.

Campus tours

If you can't make it to one of our open days, there are more opportunities available for you to come and visit us; campus tours are available throughout the year for you to have a look around.

Led by Student Ambassadors, campus tours take place most Wednesday afternoons at 1pm and will give you a feel of the campus atmosphere, plus the opportunity to ask questions about being a student at Middlesex University.

Find out more about our campus tours and book your place now.

Applicant Days

Applicant Days are specifically for students who have applied to Middlesex and have been made an offer.  The Applicant day is a chance for you to take a closer look at the course that you have chosen to study.  You will attend a taster session, meet your course leader and fellow applicants, meet current students and tour the campus with them.  Invitations will be sent to applicants prior to the events.

Open days and Applicant days for this course are held at our Hendon campus in London. See the location and maps tab for information on how to get here.

Find out more about our Applicant Days.

FAQs

What is the Middlesex University Work-Based Learning Framework?

The framework seeks to provide a flexible, student-centred approach to learning for those in employment wishing to advance their qualifications and career.  The framework recognises your prior achievements and provides opportunities for further targeted learning.  The course aims to:

  • Provide a learner-centred curriculum;
  • Provide opportunities for you and your employer to devise coherent programmes on issues that are relevant to your professional development;
  • Offer undergraduate/postgraduate study that recognises and accredits your learning achieved through your professional experience;
  • Contribute to the achievement of the University’s corporate objectives by widening access and building partnerships with employers and organisations through accredited learning;
  • Develop your learning management and analytical skills. 

Is this a distance learning course?

Although the framework can be taken at a distance from the Hendon campus, it is not considered a distance learning course in the conventional sense, but rather an open learning course.  Open learning courses  are intended to provide greater flexibility of study in terms of pace, place, time of study and support throughout your studies.

Are there certain kinds of individuals ‘right’ for this course?

The course is targeted at individuals with employment experience.  Some may wish to develop themselves professionally but find that the opportunities for conventional study are not congruent with the realities of professional practice.  Others may be working in a combination of ‘employments’ as freelance consultants, trainers, working on commission and therefore unable to attend a traditional course.  The framework has been designed to be responsive to your needs and aspirations and wherever possible, those of your employer.  It is for such individuals and organisations that this programme is intended.

What makes this course special?

You will be able to claim academic credits for prior certificated learning as well as for prior and current professional experience.  You will also plan and undertake a series of ‘negotiated’ projects focuses on areas of professional development that you yourself have identified in close discussion with your employer and academic adviser.  Many participants of work-based learning programmes have remarked that going through the course has been a life-changing experience because it has enabled them to thoroughly analyse their professional experience and set long term career goals for themselves.

How is work-based-learning different from classroom learning and how much support will I have going through the course?

Unlike traditional classroom learning, the course uses work-based learning principles which emphasise the following:

  • Academic recognition of new learning based on a reflection on past achievement and learning;
  • Development of improved planning skills and knowledge of your chosen subject and research principles;
  • Completion of a series of projects that relates directly to your professional context and is designed to enhance your personal, professional and career development.

The majority of work within the course will include a high proportion of self-directed learning supported by materials and academic advice.  As professionals in your field, you are expected to bring your professional experience to the forefront of your studies.  The academic advisers on the course have been specifically recruited for their knowledge and understanding of the professional development process and their expertise in the field of your chosen subject. 

How do I plan my course?

You will be guided through this in the Programme and Project Planning module.

How will my progress be monitored?

You will have regular individual and group tutorials with your academic adviser to discuss your work and progress.  Tutorials may be in the form of a visit by you to the University or by your academic adviser to your place of work.  Contact between tutorials is expected through written correspondence, email, and telephone.

Will I have the chance to discuss my studies with other participants on the course?

The course is supported by action learning sets where groups of participants are put together to share their experiences and support each other.  Where possible, clusters of participants are brought together face-to-face or through on-line support environments.

When does assessment occur?

Each academic year consists of two assessment periods: one in early January and one in mid May.  Each is followed by a period in which official assessment of your work is undertaken. 

What are assessors looking for in a work-based learning project?

Projects involve focussed activities in the professional situation which are based on theoretical underpinning and demonstrate a range of practical and intellectual capabilities.  Hence a work-based project leads to a product, i.e. a useful outcome related to your work context supported by theoretical concepts and ideas.  A work-based project may concern, for example, practical ways to improve organisational systems, procedures, processes or practices that draw upon and demonstrate your abilities as a work-based learner.

Some of the main features of a work-based project include:

  • something that is recognised as worthwhile and of value to a particular audience.  It may yield a product for managers, which in some way enables them to do something in a better way than it had been done before.  Thus the starting point for planning the theme of a project is often a sense that there is room for improvement in the work environment within a specified area of your own authority and autonomy;
  • a pragmatic justification of its intended outcomes: why a particular approach has been used and not another, methodological understanding and a coherent train of thought;
  • analysis and synthesis which explores what is being generated in a work-based situation using empirical and theoretical knowledge as its source;
  • demonstration of a range of practical and intellectual abilities;
  • attracting attention through its readability through a flowing, coherent style.

How is the oral presentation assessed?

The oral presentation takes place at the end of the programme and should identify and clarify the central themes, approaches and outcomes of your major work-based project.  It may be undertaken face-to-face on or off campus or by video or telephone conference.

Where can I get further information on the University’s assessment policies?

Please read the section entitled ‘Assessment Procedures and Regulations’ un the University Guide and Regulations.

How do I get my results of modules which I have completed?

Your results are available on MISIS after the assessment process is completed.  For semester 1, the assessment period is January with results being available in February.  For semester 2 which ends in May, results are available in July.  Your results and credit statement will also be sent to you.

What happens when I become a finalist?

Results will be published on MISIS and also sent to your contact address.  You cannot receive your results by telephone or email.

The award ceremony takes place once a year, usually at the beginning of July in the Hendon Campus.  Presentations are made by the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of the University.  You tutors will attend the ceremony.  You can invite guests to the ceremony and the reception which follows.


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