PATHWAYS TO LEARNING AND EDUCATION - CONDITIONS FOR SUPPORT

Part-time Degrees, Diplomas and Courses at this University and Partner Colleges

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Any member of University staff wishing to undertake a part-time programme offered by the University or a partner college will have their tuition fees paid by the University, provided they satisfy criteria for admission to the programme and meet the funding criteria. However, certain programmes (see point 3b and end paragraph) and fee elements, such as award registration, exam fees, materials, etc., may not be covered and you should check this before enrolling on your programme.
 
The following guidance applies in the operation of this policy:

1. These arrangements and the conditions outlined below apply to all staff, including those on temporary and part-time contracts. However, in the case of temporary staff, their period of employment must include a particular semester or session which is a discreet period for charging purposes (see point 8 below).
2. The proposed programme does not need to be directly job related but could be pursued as part of broader career development.
3. The part time programmes under this arrangement include
   
   1. At the University: modules or short courses, foundation/bachelors/masters degrees and PhDs, and;
   2. At partner colleges: mainly vocational, award bearing courses (NVQ, BTEC, C&G, RSA, etc.). Non-vocational, non-award bearing, 'leisure' courses may still be charged at full rate.
4. Staff undertaking programmes must agree clear learning outcomes with their Dean/Head.
5. Study leave or time-off may be available where the programme of training/study is job related. Otherwise, no such entitlement is associated with these arrangements and individuals are encouraged to make use of SMRSA (academic staff) or flexi-time arrangements, or to agree cover with colleagues. There will be discretion for Deans/Heads to allow time off when this can be accommodated within the effective functioning of the unit/department/school. Where time off is granted the following guidelines may be applied:
1. normally one half-day, but up to one full day where required, of study leave of absence per week;
2. full time off for each examination undertaken;
3. one half-day revision time per examination undertaken;
4. full time off for residential study where this is prescribed as a compulsory part of the course.
6. In cases where some elements of fees are levied, individuals may seek full or partial funding from their Dean/Head who will have discretion as to the extent and nature of such financial support. This may be determined by the relevance of the programme to the individual's work.
7. Continuation of support, whether for a second or succeeding stage of study, or for a second attempt at an examination, cannot be guaranteed. Continuing support is only granted where the University is satisfied that the member of staff has made satisfactory progress, or in other circumstances, merits assistance for a re-sit. In any case, continuing support can only be granted subject to the review of priorities for funding at the time when renewal requests are made.
8. There will be no penalty or fee recovery if an individual leaves the University during or following their programme. However, the individual will assume personal responsibility for fees incurred after their leaving date. The date at which fees become 'incurred' depends on the institution of study. In the University's case there are two charging periods in the academic year as detailed below. Individuals should check the relevant charging dates for whichever college they are attending:
1. September - February, for which the charging date is 1st December, and
2. March - August, for which the charging date is 1st April

for the relevant charging period will be covered by Pathways only where the member of staff is still in the University's employment on the charging date.
9. The organisations currently in partnership with the University for the purposes of the above arrangements are:




Institution	Telephone	Website
Birmingham Metropolitan College (Sutton Coldfield, Matthew Bolton & Josiah Mason Colleges)	(0845) 155 0101	bmetc.ac.uk
Burton College	(01283) 494400	burton-college.ac.uk
City College Wolverhampton	(01902) 317700	wolverhamptoncollege.ac.uk
Dudley College of Technology	(01384) 363363	dudleycol.ac.uk
Halesowen College	(0121) 5501451	halesowen.ac.uk
King Edward VI College, Stourbridge	(01384) 398100	kedst.ac.uk
New College Telford	(01952) 641892	Newcollegetelford.ac.uk
North East Worcestershire College	(01527) 570020	ne-worcs.ac.uk
Sandwell College	(0121) 2536661	sandwell.ac.uk
Solihull College	(0121) 6787000	solihull.ac.uk
South Birmingham College	(0121) 6945107	sbirmc.ac.uk
South Cheshire College	(01270) 654654	s-cheshire.ac.uk
South Staffordshire College (Rodbaston, Cannock, Tamworth & Lichfield Colleges)	(0300) 456 2424	southstaffs.ac.uk
Stourbridge College	(01384) 344344	stourbridge.ac.uk
Telford College of Arts and Technology	(01952) 648837	tcat.ac.uk
Walsall College	(01922) 657000	walsallcollege.ac.uk
Worcester College of Technology	(01905) 743520	wortech.ac.uk

10. Authorisation to undertake programmes covered by these arrangements must be given by your Dean/Head and a standard authorisation letter (available from Personnel Services or our Downloads page) completed and forwarded to the registrar or his/her representative at the appropriate institution.

 
Before enrolling on a University programme you should check with the appropriate Registry Student Office, or Admissions Unit whether or not your programme is "HEFCE funded". If it IS a HEFCE funded programme then your TUITION FEES WILL BE COVERED under this policy, although other non-tuition fees may still be payable. If your programme is NOT HEFCE funded, then it is NOT COVERED BY THIS POLICY and you will be liable for your own fees. Alternatively you may request support from your school/department.
 
In addition to meeting the “HEFCE funded” consideration (above), if you are proposing to study for a Higher Education qualification (such as degree level or higher) then the proposed course of study must be higher in level than any qualification you already hold. Study towards a qualification that is at the same or a lower level than that to which you are already qualified CANNOT BE SUPPORTED UNDER THIS POLICY unless it is a Foundation Degree.*
 
* Note: there are a small number of exemptions to this rule. To find out more, please consult the appropriate Registry Student Office or Admissions Unit.