Work-based learning

If you are working and are interested in gaining a university-level qualification based around your work, work-based learning could be a convenient and effective option, bringing benefits to both you and your organisation.

The government considers work-based learning as an important factor in increasing innovation and competitiveness of UK business. Read more about the strategic setting for workforce development.

Businesses can contribute to tuition fees and become part of a staff retention and development strategy.

Work-based learning at Kingston University

Kingston's work-based learning (WBL) programmes provide an opportunity to gain academic recognition for learning based on your work. It takes account of experience you have gained from past work and the development of new learning based on your current role.

Our flexible 'learning agreement' framework allows you to tailor the programme to the specific needs of the individual and the organisation.

What does it involve?

A member of Kingston's academic staff will work with you to identify and define suitable opportunities, and then set learning goals (similar to modules) to be achieved, and specify how they will be measured.

Your programme might consist entirely of specific learning goals based on work activities, or it might include taught modules at Kingston University. It may also include credits from courses attended in the past and previous work-based activities.

What do I need to start?

It is not always necessary to have previous academic qualifications to undertake WBL. However, you will need to be a good time manager and committed to reaching your learning goals.

You will need:

  • significant work experience at an appropriate level;
  • to be currently employed in a position that provides variety and responsibility at a level that enables academic learning; and
  • to have the support of your employer.

Entry to the programmes is on-going throughout the year and you should contact the relevant faculty for further information.

We currently have work-based learning programmes in:

Read about Dean, a structural engineer running his own company and Pieter, a 55-year-old mechanical engineer at Ricardo UK, who both recently graduated with a work-based learning Professional Engineering MSc in our Success stories.

More information