University College Plymouth St Mark & St John

Duration

There are no classes or travel involved except to arrange tutorials with supervisor. The MSc can be completed over two or three years with costs spread out

Postgraduate Fees and Funding

Sean MacBlain

We are all working and living in challenging times and having qualifications that are nationally and internationally recognised will be, more than ever, very important. We believe that the MSc will open doors and offer increased opportunities for professionals who are actively progressing their careers or who wish to consolidate their professional positions in light of increasing competition from newer graduates leaving university.

Student Profiles

"I began my working life in the financial services and then in the early 1990’s changed direction and began working in a variety of positions in Social care. I have worked as a care home manager, an FE college lecturer, Day Centre deputy manager and care manager with responsibility for supporting family carers. My qualifications were varied and to an extent, non related across business, education and social care. I had worked hard to achieve all of them and they told the story of how my working life had flowed. However, on taking stock, I realised that they did not ‘evidence’ the level at which I had been employed and so I began to explore ways in which I could gain a qualification that would consolidate my learning and experience. 

I investigated courses on offer through the OU and universities and colleges in the South West. I realised that for many, I would need to at first achieve a Bachelor degree and this was quite demoralising as I knew this would mean time and additional expense. I discovered also that I would need to attend classes and my heart sank as I know that once I get home from work, I frequently don’t want to go out again.

I knew that I had to find an education provider that would give me recognition for the years of learning, knowledge, skills and work experience already gained and also one that would be nurturing and encouraging but also permit me to work at my own pace, with an option to not attend classes. Motivation was not an issue for me, I had made up my mind that if given the chance, I would achieve well and in the minimum time. Following my initial discussion with Karen Stockham, I knew that I had found absolutely the right place to study at UCP Marjon.

I was a little anxious at first, but my tutor (Karen) fully understood and responded with sensitivity to initial difficulties with writing in an academic format and selecting appropriate research methods. Her guidance and suggestions for ‘planning, structure and framework’ put me on the right track and worked well for me from the very beginning. Her advice to study something that I was truly interested in was the best ever, it helped to inspire me to seek more and find the right questions. I was encouraged to own my work as it was ‘my study’ and ‘my research’ and that was a powerful thing for me. I realise now, that it was truly the essence of CPD! My tutor, without fail, answered my e mails and calls promptly and met with me periodically. Her encouragement and belief in my ability was invaluable and she took a very genuine interest in my area of study. She recommended authors that have opened my mind. University College support staff were also very generous with their time.

My overall experience has been nothing but positive. I have already recommended the UCP Marjon Masters in CPD to colleagues whom I know would have similar motivation to mine. Whilst I know these are difficult financial times, I feel it is even more important to invest in one’s own personal development. We all have to work longer and the work place is increasingly competitive. Many people hold first degrees so it is important to achieve higher to maintain ‘the edge’.

UCP Marjon has allowed me to gain a Masters degree within two years. Within that time I have gained a promotion that has increased my salary by £7000 per annum, already the financial investment in myself has been recouped. However, it’s not only about financial gain, I have learned so much about my chosen subject that I can now consider myself an ‘expert’. My confidence has grown and I have an enormous sense of achievement. Gaining the M.Ed has allowed me to make sense of my many years at work and consolidated my achievements and learning."

Angela MacBlain, M.Ed in Continuous Professional Development

"I currently see myself as a confident successful woman who possesses a wealth of experience working in varied environments. Throughout my career I have worked for private and voluntary organisations, corporate companies and currently the public sector within adult social care holding a professional position.

My qualifications are varied and to an extent, non-related across business and social care however they do not evidence the level at which I had been employed, so I have been exploring ways in which I could gain a qualification that would consolidate my skill, knowledge and experience, and enable me to work at a pace that fits in with my work and family commitments. Acquiring a Masters in Education and Professional Development qualification will not only enable me to sustain my current work level but also open up opportunities for me to progress and explore further career options.

I have investigated other courses on offer through the Universities and colleges in the South West as well as Open University, however being a full time working mum with financial commitments results in me being unable to become a full time student. Additionally, many require me first achieving a Bachelor degree and this was quite disheartening as I knew this would mean additional time and added expense.

A common theme and thread that seems to have followed me through my career is around communication and in particular delivering information either to internal staff or to the public. Within my current position working for Plymouth City Council I work as part of the Putting People First implementation team. Putting People First is the Government’s vision for the future direction of social care. As we move to a more personalised system the emphasis is on people having access to good quality information whether their care is funded through the Council or they self fund their care arrangements.

By studying this topic further I hope to be able to influence decision making around information provision within Plymouth City Council’s adult social care department. 

My first impressions of UCP Marjon are very positive and I found my interview with Karen Stockham, Head of Professional and Postgraduate Development very informative and not at all as daunting as I had imagined.

I hope to be able to start studying in September this year and am looking forward to the opportunity. Whist I am fully aware of the commitment that is required, I remain excited at the prospect of being able to obtain a qualification that will consolidate my skill, knowledge and experience.

Sam Sposito - M.Ed in Continuous Professional Development applicant