Experiential learning access to Masters level programmes Professor - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Experiential learning – access to Masters level programmes

Professor Bob Craik

Heriot-Watt University Provost and CEO October 2016

• A university focused on

science, engineering technology, design, business and commerce

• Founded in 1821, as the

Edinburgh School of Arts – a Mechanics Institute

History

George Heriot, financier to King James VI and benefactor

• f education

in Edinburgh

(1563 - 1623)

James Watt, the great 18th-C Scottish engineer & pioneer of steam power

UK 8000 students Dubai 3500 students

Global profile

BUSINESS SCHOOL

Globally 31,800 students Malaysia 1,500 students

Key principles

• Same learning outcomes

irrespective of location/mode

• Same academic standards

irrespective of location/mode

• Different experiences in

different locations

• Shared learning resources

(eg library, VLE)

• Shared culture, values,

expectations

University education

• Today a degree is normal for

a professional career

• 50 years a go a degree was

unusual

• Many professionals have no

degree

• Some will have taken

professional exams

Masters level education

• Different from undergraduate

education Designed to

• Allow students to move

between careers

• Provide specialist training

and development

• Provide a framework for

experiential learning

Masters level education

• Masters programmes build
• n the skills and knowledge
• f the student
• Students must have those

skills and knowledge before they start

• Learning rarely builds

directly on knowledge gained as an undergraduate

• Learning is at Masters level

Knowledge and Skills

• An undergraduate degree is

a fast way to acquire pre- requisite knowledge and skills

• Experiential learning is

normally slower but no less effective

Admission criteria

• A student should be admitted

to a masters programme if there is a reasonable chance that they will be successful

• A student can assess the

risk of success

MBA students in HWUM Putrajaya Jan 2013

Rule-of-thumb

Formal certificated learning Relevant experiential learning 3 years 6 years 2 years 4 years 1 years 2 years Formal certificated learning Masters programme UK Malaysia Degree Yes Yes Diploma + 2-4 years relevant experience Yes Maybe Certificate with 4-6 years relevant experience Yes Probably no No qualification + 6-8 years relevant experience Yes No

Heriot-Watt MBA

• Pass 2 courses and you

have provided evidence of an ability to complete the programme

• NOT IN MALAYSIA

Malaysian system

Admission to a Masters Programme

• a Malaysian citizen
• at least 30 years of age
• STPM/Diploma/equivalent

qualifications, and

• relevant work experience.

Malaysian system

• Aptitude Test: Mathematics,

English, Bahasa Malaysia and General Knowledge/Critical Thinking (40%)

• Portfolio Assessment (60%)
• Assessment conducted by

Wawasan Open University and Open University Malaysia

• Process takes 2-4 months

Lost opportunity

• The process is complicated

and puts off students

• Some qualified people would

benefit from Masters level education and are denied access to it

For consideration

• Allow universities flexibility to
• ffer education to students

without the requirement for certificated evidence of learning.