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If you want to advance your scientific knowledge to degree level without leaving your job, this BSc (Hons) Applied Science Learning at Work degree is ideal. You'll strengthen your practical scientific skills so you can apply them in your career.

Because the course is work-based, you need to already be in a full-time, part-time or voluntary role. 

Our courses are designed for busy people. You can tailor the course to match your aspirations and your employer's objectives, and to negotiate the pace of your studies around your existing commitments. Your work-based projects have flexibility in their submission deadlines, and with no residential requirements you can study wherever is most convenient for you.

You can focus on a pure science such as physics, biology, chemistry or mathematics, or a more general area. You can also specialise in areas such as analysis, experiment design and scientific reporting.

You'll get to put the skills you learn to work instantly in your job, contributing to the success of your company while learning new skills, such as how to communicate scientific information to specialists and non-specialists with confidence and how to make sound professional judgements when faced with complex scientific problems.

When you complete the course, you'll improve your career prospects and have the skills and knowledge to perform more effectively in your job.

On this Applied Science degree, you’ll work with our Learning at Work team and your employer to arrange a programme of study that reflects your existing experience, your personal and professional goals, and your current employment situation. This makes up your Learning Contract. 

Through a sequence of work-based learning projects, you’ll develop your ability to analyse a problem and deliver a professional solution, with support from a workplace mentor, academic tutors, online lectures and a suite of virtual learning tools hosted by the university. You don’t need to attend the campus if you don’t want to, but you will have an invitation to an induction day and to make use of student facilities here in ºÚÁÏÈë¿Ú. 

Your learning contract

Your study will include up to four elements:

• Learning Management: You'll set out a plan to shape your learning, and prepare for the research reports you'll produce.
• Recognition of Prior Learning: You can bring up to 240 credits of the 360 credits you need from your existing learning, such as Foundation degrees, HNDs, on-the-job training, or relevant experience in your career. Read more about earning RPL credit for your current qualifications and work experience, or contact us: learningatwork@port.ac.uk
• Work-based learning (WBL) projects. Most of your new learning will be done through WBL projects, where you’ll practise new skills and develop your knowledge alongside your current role. These projects won't involve activities you do in your day-to-day job, as they need to involve new learning for you - but they will be relevant to your career, and your own professional development here can support the goals and objectives of your organisation.
• Learning modules. You can also study in a more formally-structured manner by joining in with the university’s academic modules. Please contact learningatwork@port.ac.uk to discuss the choice of modules available.

Recognition of work-based and distance learning courses

Our Learning at Work degrees at levels 6 and 7 are approved by the University under its powers to award degrees. They comply with the Office for Students (OFS) and Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) standards in the United Kingdom.

These qualifications are generally recognised internationally but as with distance learning type courses, each country will have its own regulations and rules on work based and distance learning education. You should check with the qualification recognition authority in the country you reside in or intend to use the degrees to secure employment, that the Learning at Work degrees are recognised by them before you commit to studying with us.

We also strongly recommend you check that your employer recognises the value of our work based/distance learning courses. Some countries, including Singapore, state the 'value of the qualification is subject to the employer'.

Applications from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain and Qatar

We are currently unable to offer our courses to applicants who are nationals of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain and Qatar.

If you're not a national citizen but are working or living in these countries, you can enrol onto our Learning at Work courses. You'll need to sign an Applicant Declaration Letter to confirm you understand that the ºÚÁÏÈë¿Ú won't accept any liability issues you may have with the recognition of your distance learning course, with your government or employer.

Applications from India and China

If you’re a national or foreign national in India or China, you can enrol onto our Learning at Work courses. You'll need to sign an Applicant Declaration Letter to confirm you understand that the ºÚÁÏÈë¿Ú won't accept any liability issues you may have with the recognition of your distance learning course, with your government or employer.

Applications from Oman

We're unable to accept enrolment from nationals or foreign nationals from Oman.