At this year's Graduate's Ceremony, hosted by University College Isle of Man (UCM) more than 162 undergraduate degree, degree level and postgraduate degree students celebrated the completion of their qualification. Among the cohort were 22 graduates who achieved their degree through the bespoke work based and integrative studies framework (WBIS).
Bespoke degree titles include BSc Hons Operational Management in Engineering, MA Equality & Diversity in Education and MA Organisational Leadership in Policing.
UCM's Work Based and Integrative Studies (WBIS) pathway supports student to negotiate a bespoke, individualised qualification that enhances their profession, thus enabling them to negotiate the name of their award.
Students can gain academic credit for their past work experience and then top up their credits through taught lectures and assignments, and work based projects.
Intake for studying for the undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications takes place four times in the year, affording students more flexibility.
Gail Corrin, UCM's Higher Education said: I’m always fascinated to see the topics and degree titles of our Work Based and Integrative Studies students, and this year’s cohort doesn’t disappoint. As well as an incredibly interesting mix of topics, I’m pleased that we have more WBIS students graduating than we’ve had before, which is testament to the desire of the students to reap the benefits of higher level study.
‘The WBIS pathway is particularly well suited for students who have already worked in their career and want to benefit from gaining an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. But Manx undergraduates seeking to return to the Island will also find WBIS a valuable approach to Masters level study whilst also gaining access to the employment market here.’
Steve Giddins, who is graduating with an MA Organisational Leadership in Policing degree, added: Studying via WBIS has enabled me to balance work, home and study at a flexible pace that has suited my employer and my family.
The areas of study were relevant to my professional career, and whilst expanding my personal knowledge and professional practice, also led to organisational benefits. Areas of research have resulted in new and updated policies and procedures to assist with our organisational aims. The support from UCM has been fantastic and I highly recommend WBIS as a route to gain academic qualifications’.
Anyone interested in studying under the WBIS framework is invited to attend the WBIS Information Event at UCM’s Nunnery campus at 4pm – 5pm on 14thDecember – further information is available at www.ucm.ac.im/wbis