What can I study?
At York St John University we offer Foundation
degrees, Undergraduate degrees and Postgraduate degrees. For
details of our postgraduate programmes, please visit our
postgraduate web pages.
Foundation degrees
Foundation degrees offer a way to
study for a variety of people, including those who are already in
work, those who are unemployed, those planning to change careers or
those who think they may not have the right qualifications to start
an Undergraduate degree.
Our Foundation degrees have been designed with employers to meet
skills shortages in the labour market. They have an emphasis on
work-based and work-related learning, including work experience
which is relevant to a particular industry sector.
Undergraduate degrees
We offer two types of Undergraduate
degree – Specialist and Joint Honours.
What is a Specialist degree?
If you want to get under the skin of your subject and make an
in-depth exploration of different aspects of the area, a Specialist
degree will help you get a real understanding of your subject. You
will also develop your transferable skills in communication and IT
and the other skills that employers are looking for.
What is a Joint Honours degree?
Joint Honours degrees allow you to study two academic subjects
in depth. This allows you to better meet your individual interests
and enhance your career options. You may study to the same academic
standard, and have the same amount of credits, as you would on a
Specialist degree.
What is a Top degree?
A Top-up degree allows you to do exactly what
its name suggests: to top-up your existing qualification
(equivalent to a HND or Foundation Degree) to an honours degree.
There are a number of benefits of doing this: by completing the top
up course you will have demonstrated to an employer that you have
the academic, organisational and management skills needed for your
chosen career path.
Topping-up will typically take one academic
year of further study for full-time students. A part-time option is
also available.
How can I study?
You can study on a full-time or part-time basis, or if you
prefer not to commit to a complete degree course at the outset, we
offer flexible study whereby you can study for one module at a
time. We can offer advice before you apply to us if you need help
in deciding which course is best for you, and the best way in which
to study.
Guiding you through your studies
Academic guidance and advice is available through our Academic
Tutor System. Tutors provide academic support, can give advice on
module choices and skills development and implement a profiling
system. This enables you to record and review your achievement and
progress and make action plans for each year you are here and for
your future.
Careers advisers complement the work of your academic tutor by
offering guidance on the careers implications of choosing a module,
project or work placement.
Skills training
Skills training is an important part of all our degrees. We have
an impressive track record of providing opportunities for students
to develop work-based skills and gain experience in a real work
environment. No matter what your previous experience of work,
whether you have had vacation jobs or spent many years in a career,
this element of your degree will help you to make an informed
decision about your next step and equip you with skills and
knowledge for the future. We will help you develop:
- Communication skills, including presentation and report writing
skills.
- Information technology skills, including the use of word
processing, spreadsheet and database packages and web page
design.
- Problem solving, team working and other ‘people’ skills.
- Work-place skills in the context of a work environment.
Work placements
You will have the opportunity to experience a placement which
will meet your individual developmental needs. Past students have
had placements at a range of organisations including BBC, Citibank,
HM Customs & Excise, Houses of Parliament, Royal Air Force,
Royal Shakespeare Company, RSPCA, Sports Council, Tyne Tees
Television and Yorkshire Television. In the past, a number of
students have arranged their placements in various international
locations. These have included the USA, France, Germany,
Africa,
Australia, Egypt and India.
When will I study?
York St John University’s teaching day, in line with its
commitment to widening participation, is 9.00am - 8.00pm (5.00pm on
a Friday). In addition to the contact time specified on the
timetable, you are expected to engage in structured and
self-directed learning. You may also study through Supported Open
Learning (SOL), via the Internet, with support from your fellow
students and tutors, both virtually and in person!