Week 4
Study commitments and e-Library
As an apprentice, you’ll join our vibrant student community and will have a wealth of learning resources at your fingertips. Studying online doesn’t mean studying alone, as you’ll also be fully supported by experienced tutors and other students throughout your apprenticeship.
Your employer will give you 20% of your working week free to dedicate to academic study (for a standard Monday – Friday schedule, this would mean one day per week). Additional study will also be required outside of working hours.
You’ll be doing on average 2 modules per semester, which will mean approximately 15-20 hours’ study on your academic elements per week.
20%
of your learning will be done in the workplace
2
modules on average per semester
20-25
hours study on your academic elements per week
How you will study
The mandatory qualification of your programme, i.e. the degree course, will be taught online via UCEM’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), which is at the heart of your studies (please watch our Quick Tour Of The VLE video as an introduction). Here you will find all the resources you need, along with specially designed learning activities to help you develop the skills and knowledge required for your degree.
You can also find out more about the degree course by joining one of our programme leader webinars – look out for an invitation via email from our Admissions team.
You’ll be guided through your learning with weekly study schedules and course guides, and all your materials for the current semester’s modules will be available 24/7, meaning you can study at a time and place that’s right for you. Everything is recorded, so if you miss a webinar when it’s live, you can catch up by watching the recording later on.
Our e-Library
Our e-Library, accessed via the VLE, contains a plethora of valuable information, including more than 5,000 full-text journal titles, over 2,500 useful web links to e-resources, and online searchable databases from 25 key industry-specific and educational sources. It also features industry renowned publications, such as Parry’s Valuation and Investment Tables.
Commitments
Support during your studies
We have a Code of Practice that details our commitment to our students, and what students agree to in return when they join us.
To support apprentices during their studies we will:
- Provide dedicated resources to help you and your employer to progress successfully in your apprenticeship
- Provide the guidance and support you need to balance the specific requirements of apprenticeships, including off-the-job hours, on-the-job training and developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by your apprenticeship standard
As an apprentice, you will:
- Ensure you and your line manager engage with scheduled progress reviews and ad hoc meetings with your apprenticeship outcomes officer
- Submit evidence as required in a timely manner and work with us and your line manager to meet the milestones and timelines agreed at the start of your apprenticeship
- Get in touch if you are experiencing any issues or changes that may affect your programme, so we can offer you the correct support at the earliest opportunity.
Further support
In addition to your AOO, there are several teams within UCEM who can help you with your studies. They include:
- Programme Tutors
- e-Library
- Student Engagement Team and Student Central
- Learning and Enhancement Team
- Disability and Wellbeing team (more information is available in Apprenticeship Information – Week 2)
To make contact with any of the teams above, you can either call +44 118 921 4696 option 2, or log an enquiry on Student Central via the VLE.
To start your journey off on the right track, we have prepared a useful guide to what you can expect as a student on one of our programmes. There’s no Fresher’s Week with us – the first day of your programme is the first day you’ll start studying.
In the Welcome Brochure you will find plenty of information on how to get support during your studies, our values as a university and how to get involved with our student community. It also includes the schedule for our Autumn intake’s Welcome Programme, which begins on September 19th 2022.
