Experiential learning – access to Masters level programmes Professor Bob Craik Heriot-Watt University Provost and CEO October 2016
History • A university focused on science, engineering technology, design, business and commerce • Founded in 1821, as the Edinburgh School of Arts – a Mechanics Institute George Heriot , James Watt, the great 18 th -C financier to King James VI and Scottish engineer & benefactor pioneer of steam of education power in Edinburgh (1563 - 1623)
Global profile Dubai 3500 students UK 8000 students Malaysia 1,500 students BUSINESS SCHOOL Globally 31,800 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 on the skills and knowledge of 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 offer education to students without the requirement for certificated evidence of learning.
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