Professional Studies (Distance Learning)

If you want to gain a University-level qualification alongside your job without committing to a full Bachelor's degree, this Professional Studies Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) distance learning course is ideal.

You'll develop transferable skills in your choice of subject, boosting your career prospects while you improve your performance at work. You can tailor the course to match your professional and personal aspirations and your employer's objectives. You'll get to put the skills you learn to work instantly in your job, contributing to the success of your company.

The course is work based, so you'll need to be in a full-time, part-time or voluntary role to do it. You can study online wherever is most convenient for you and schedule your studies around your existing commitments.

A CertHE is equivalent to the first year of a full-time BA or BSc Bachelor’s degree. When you complete the course, you'll improve your career prospects and have the skills and knowledge to perform more effectively in your job. You could also put the credits you gain towards a BA or BSc Bachelor's degree.

What you'll experience
On this course you'll:

• Choose either technical skills or business skills pathway

• Study modules 120 credits over 2 years (60 credits a year)

• Study flexible modules and topics that match your personal and professional goals, as well as your employer's objectives

• Develop your ability to analyse problems, research and propose solutions, and make important decisions

• Improve your communication and research skills

• Complete a work-based learning (WBL) project that forms part of your daily workload, which ensure that the knowledge you develop is relevant to your employer's business

• Get an optional 1-day induction in Portsmouth or an online induction

• Develop your learning plan with the University and your employer, so you can make an effective contribution to your workplace as you learn

• Have full access to our student support services and community including study support, sports and recreation facilities, and the Students' Union

• Tap in to our Library's electronic resources, which you can access from anywhere with a Web connection

• Choose a workplace mentor to support your learning – someone at work who can offer advice, guidance, and moral support

• Have support from an academic tutor specialising in your area of study and a University learning manager who oversees your programme

• Use online tutorials and lectures to help you with study skills, including your analytical and writing skills

Careers and opportunities
When you finish the course, you'll have the skills and knowledge to advance your career with your current employer and boost your long-term career prospects.

You could also use your qualification to enter further study, by applying for one of the Learning at Work degree courses where you can study 240 credits to achieve a Bachelors degree in your chosen subject.

You can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.