Introductory description

The work-based project module offers students the opportunity to undertake a significant piece of work-based research, that adds value to the organisation, acting as the major project portion of the academic programme. The module helps students to identify an appropriate work-based scenario that can be used to produce a piece of work with appropriate academic rigour for the level of programme and that adds value to the organisational context. Proposals will be generated by students in discussion with managers, colleagues and University academic staff. With the project being focused on the workplace supervision will be undertaken by both the University and the organisation to ensure alignment with parallel objectives. In the case of Degree Apprenticeship students the work-based project will constitute the End Point Assessment for integrated standards. The work based project is expected to cover KSBs for each stream as defined in the DTS Standard.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Work-based and self-directed learning
Management and organisation of self and work-based project
Developing practitioner research skills and applying them within a specific work context
Selecting a project and generating research questions
Formulation of relevant objectives to address academic and organisational needs
Scoping and management of the project
Development of a robust proposal
Carrying out literature research
Primary research methods
Data analysis methods relevant to the chosen topic
Presentation of results
Presentation of the project to meet academic and organisational needs through written and verbal methods

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Plan an individual project in an area of research that enables the demonstration of work-based skills while addressing a specified business need [CITP 2.1.2, 2.1.12, 2.2.1,2.2.5] [AHEP4 C2]
• Critically analyse literature relevant to the chosen research topic [CITP 2.2.5] [AHEP4 C4]
• Evaluate, design and apply appropriate methods to enable the achievement of the stated aims and objectives to meet the specified business need [CITP 2.1.2, 2.1.6, 2.1.10, 2.1.12, 2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 2.2.4, 2.2.6] [AHEP4 C1, C, C3, C5., C6, C9, C10, C11, C13]
• Analyse the legal, social, professional, and ethical principles associated with the project from research and business perspective, adhering to relevant professional codes throughout [CITP 2.1.13][AHEP4 C7, C8, C11]
• Critically present the outcomes of the project and demonstrate the successful achievement of the project in line with the specified business need [AHEP4 C17]
• Critically reflect on the KSBs, plan and record progress to achieve the project [AHEP4 C18]
• Present and discuss the project outcomes effectively using an appropriate range of media [AHEP4 C17]

Indicative reading list

Specific reading list for the module

Research element

The work-based project represents the significant project on the programme and also fulfils EPA requirements for degree apprenticeship students. As with all major projects it will develop the ability to make a reasoned selection of approaches to the research methodology, data collection techniques and data analysis and will further develop skills in explaining how these are appropriate to the aims and objectives of the WBL project.

Subject specific skills

This will depend on the topic of the project, but elements of the course will be referenced and applied throughout the project to include, where relevant, the knowledge, skills and behaviours that apprentices are required to demonstrate.
The project is seen as an opportunity to aggregate the subject skills developed throughout the course and synthesise them to address an identified, real world, business need. . The project will be expected to cover stated KSB the DTS Standard (https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/digital-and-technology-solutions-professional-v1-2). The list of KSBs is as follows:

The following Core KSBs apply to all degree streams:
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K15 K17 K18
S1 S2 S3, S5 S6 S13 S14
B3

The following additional KSBs apply to the Network Engineer stream:
K61 K62 K66
S56 S57 S60 S62 S63

The following additional KSBs apply to the Software Engineer stream:
K25 K26 K27
S16 S17 S18 S19 S22

The following additional KSBs apply to the Cyber Security Analyst stream:
K45 K51 K52
S40 S42 S44 S46 S47

The following additional KSBs apply to the Data Anaylst stream:
K54 K56 K58
S50 S52 S53 S54 S55

Transferable skills

The ability to identify, analyse, synthesise and evaluate a range of sources of knowledge and evidence including secondary and primary methods of research.

Demonstrate an in depth understanding of ethical principles and a systematic understanding and coherent application of professional codes relevant to the WBL project.

An ability to critically reflect upon how the WBL project has been planned and put into operation.

An ability to present the outcomes of the research project using a range of methods depending on the requirements of the audience.