At Friday’s Research Festival, University College Isle of Man (UCM) unveiled three new Masters programmes: MA Professional Development in Leadership Practice, MA Professional Development in Sustainable Business Practice and MA Professional Development in Events Management and Marketing.
The launch coincides with the rebrand of UCM’s Work-Based and Integrative Studies degrees, now called Professional Development Degrees, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. The awards continue to be closely aligned to the requirements of a rapidly changing labour market, bridging the perceived gap between higher education and the workplace through reflective, flexible and learner-centred education supporting the growth of both students and their organisations.
Gail Corrin, UCM’s University Centre Manager, said: “Our Master’s programme has been popular in recent years, and the rename to Professional Development Degrees better reflects the work that students do to develop knowledge and skills in their workplace.”
“In response to market demand, we’ve developed three new pathways within this framework. Learners seeking a more tailored qualification can still create a bespoke title that reflects their individual goals.”
Professional Development Degrees are delivered in a flexible format, offer multiple start dates throughout the year and enable learners to study at a pace that suits their circumstances.
Gail added: “We understand that most people who undertake a Professional Development Degree already have demanding work and personal schedules, so we have designed these to be flexible and with learning styles to accommodate both in-person learning and support, and self-guided studying.”
Alongside the new Masters programmes, learners can also design a more bespoke degree, tailoring the title and subject areas to match their experience and career aspirations.
The launch of these new degrees was just one of the highlights of the annual Research Festival, which saw UCM partner with Biosphere Isle of Man. The event included speakers from both on and off-Island including researchers and academics from institutions such as the Centre for Alternative Technology (Wales), University of Surrey, London Metropolitan University, Victoria College London, Cardiff University, Queen’s University Belfast, Durham University and Colorado State University.
Recordings of the presentations will be available soon.
Chief Minister, Hon Alfred Canan MHK, officially opening the Research Festival
Gail Corrin presenting at the Research Festival
Rachell Tuckett from Centre for Alternative Technology running the keynote lecture workshop ‘Living in a laboratory - co-creating the future of Isle of Man Biosphere’
Delegates during the ‘Living in a laboratory - co-creating the future of Isle of Man Biosphere’ workshop
UCM’s lecture, Dr Florida Clements, presenting her research ‘A stakeholder’s perspective on some of the factors influencing the relationship between UNESCO Biosphere status and the Isle of Man’s place brand’ at the Research Festival
UCM Lecturer, Colette Davies, presenting ‘Peaceful Connections: Exploring Creativity and Well-being through Biosphere Engagement’ at the Research Festival