MA /MSc Professional Practice (Specialism)

at University of Bolton

It’s important to realise that the time spent with a tutor during formally scheduled activities is only a small part of the learning time identified for a module. You’ll also be expected to spend a significant amount of time in guided independent study, such as general background reading, preparing for seminar activities and working on assignments. We are committed to supporting you throughout your learning journey. Over time, our guidance will purposefully become less structured and prescriptive. This will encourage you to develop confidence and independence in your studies, and take responsibility for managing your own learning time as you increase in autonomy.
 

The assessment strategy for the programme is designed to help you achieve the overall aims of the curriculum, as well as the learning outcomes for individual modules. As well as assessing your achievement, it helps to organise and develop your learning. Assessment feedback can help you develop your skills and an understanding of your strengths and weaknesses.
 

The types of assessment you’ll be required to complete fall into two general categories: formative and summative. Formative assessments help in learning and developing knowledge and skills. Summative assessments, on which grades are allocated, reflect the quality of the learning that has been achieved. Formative assessment will take place via tutorial discussion, group workshops including peer and tutor review, and guidance on work in progress. Formative feedback will be provided face-to-face via discussion, online or in written form. Summative assessments consist of both practical and applied theoretical work. These will include a range of assessments including practical projects, written work, presentations and portfolios.
 

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

• Business Literacy and Employment Skills
• Solutions Driven Design and Practice
• Professional Dissertation
   

• You should have at least a lower second class (2.2) honours degree (or equivalent) in any subject or five years’ relevant work experience. Some optional modules may require you to demonstrate appropriate pre-requisite knowledge. To determine if you possess the relevant pre-requisite knowledge for your chosen modules, you’ll need to submit a claim for recognition of prior (experiential) learning. If you hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject you may provide a transcript or other documentation that details your prior study. Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate your professional experience via a portfolio of attested work. Please contact the programme leader to discuss your options.
• If you wish to gain admission on the basis of five years’ relevant work experience, you’ll be required to attend an online or face-to-face interview and present evidence in the form of a portfolio of work and examples that demonstrate your suitability and aptitude for the course. The evidence should be presented in electronic format and attested by an independent person. The independent person could be a current or former lecturer or an employer who has a more senior role than yourself. The University is looking for candidates who can demonstrate a clear style and commitment to their professional practice and who will benefit from experiencing this area of study.
• Some modules may require you to satisfactorily complete Fitness to Practice assessments or get an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). You don’t need to complete these before starting the course, but if you’re unable to meet these requirements you may be limited in your module choices.
• We'll consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
• If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). 

Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £12,950

The MA/MSc Professional Practice (Specialism) offers named postgraduate routes for interdisciplinary studies capturing one or two fields of interest along with a host of career-relevant transferable skills and knowledge. It can act as a bridge, where appropriate, into a new field of employment or practice if your undergraduate degree was in another subject area. Additionally, it’s an excellent option if you’ve been working in a relevant field gaining degree-level knowledge through experience and self-study rather than formal education. This master’s aims to expand the knowledge and expertise you’ve gained through your undergraduate or professional work and pave the way for you to achieve your ambitions.
 

The key ingredient found in many successful people and leaders is ‘confidence without arrogance’. Successful people know how to use their skills and knowledge for maximum impact. An essential focus of this course is on giving you the confidence to promote yourself effectively by drawing on the most appropriate elements of your expertise, presenting your ideas and work in the correct way, at the right time and to the most relevant people. The University of Bolton’s strong and growing links with companies and organisations across the North West sets a scene that allows for coaching, networking and employment opportunities.
 

As a graduate of this master’s degree, you’ll possess in-depth knowledge in your field(s) of interest and a unique body of work that demonstrates your abilities and style. You’ll be able to act autonomously, and use your initiative, problem-solving and leadership skills to manage complex situations. You’ll have valuable skills in employability, problem-solving, and in collaborative and team working with other professionals, community members, and commercial organisations. Overall, the course offers no-nonsense guidance towards self-improvement. By the end of the course, you should have the skills to take charge of your personal and professional development and be able to reflect on your progress as you work towards your goals.