UK's first fully online e-Communications BA
Following 10 years of online teaching and learning at The Sheffield College, the UK’s first online e-Communications BA has been launched, giving students an opportunity to complete a degree course from home.
The foundation degree consists of 12 modules completed part-time over three years and is taught entirely via online learning. Anyone with A levels or those with a high standard of writing (level 3) can apply and 28 students began the course in January 2008.
Many people who decide to study online do so because they are unable to attend traditional college – due to disabilities or other commitments such as family or job obligations. The chance to study online has created opportunities for those who have demonstrated a good level of skill and capability, but don’t necessarily have a strong academic background.
Course leader Julie Hooper from The Sheffield College says, “The whole point of this is to widen participation and offer a learning route for those who don’t have the opportunity to get to University.”
Throughout the course, students are in constant communication with each other and their tutors via online blogs and wikis. The course is vocationally focussed, steeped in reality and takes into account the different ways that people earn a living.
The communications industry is the world’s fastest growing and most profitable industry at the moment and Julie Hooper commented, “We are producing local employee potential that will possess IT skills coupled with a high standard of writing. There is a big demand for people with skills in modern communications methods – so if people don’t come onboard, they are going to get left behind.”
The next course begins in September 2008 and so far, feedback from students has been positive. Julie Hooper comments, “The students are doing incredibly well and are very motivated. It’s hard work because many of them have jobs and families, but we want to extend their opportunities, make them shine in the workplace and help to build a portfolio of skills.
“One of our students has done GCSEs online, an A-level and now she’s onto the degree course. We know she’s an excellent writer and paying attention to the finer details is the measure of success.”
Students who complete the Foundation degree course are automatically guaranteed a place at Sheffield Hallam University to study for the BA e-Communications Honours degree.
Opportunities for e-Communications graduates are plentiful and Julie Hooper adds,
“This course will prepare students for well paid and rewarding professional employment.”
Contact details:
The Sheffield College
PO Box 345
Sheffield
S2 2YY
T: 0114 260 3212
