New online MBA with the University of Northampton

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1 Orbit October 2013 News from NCC Education Educational Developments Success Stories New online MBA with the University of Northampton Centre spotlight event highlights and more...

2 Welcome: As I write, the UK s new academic year is well underway and autumn is advancing. Summer is always a busy time for NCC Education and I am delighted to welcome more new accredited partner centres to our network across the world. New centre enquiries are arriving from all continents, adding to the excitement of our global operating environment as it continues to change and create new opportunities and fresh challenges. In the UK we have just launched our new approved centre model which will allow increased access to our qualifications. September saw the first intake for the new online top-up MBA from the University of Northampton and new articulations were agreed with a range of universities including Birmingham City, Bangor, West of Scotland and Southern Cross university in Australia. We recognise that the university destination aspirations of our candidates are global and we will therefore work to extend our articulations in key countries outside the UK. In line with our commitment to improve our performance against operating standards, we have recently revised our processes in relation to candidate registration and results. Centres will be notified of the impact of these new processes on administration and how they support the positive improvement of our customer service. New product development also features significantly in our current objectives and we are progressing development of a new IT certificate for children and young people which aims to launch in early Full details will be published on our website and circulated by our regional staff as they become available. And of course we continue to focus our attention on working with our centres to ensure high quality delivery and success in their student achievements. Accordingly we are currently designing new centre workshops to raise standards in administration and in assessment in academic delivery which will be rolled out regionally from early Such centre events can also serve to share good practice and build new relationships. It would be remiss of me not to highlight a UK government report (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) published in July which is the basis of the new UK strategy: International Education Global Growth and Prosperity. This aims to coordinate a UK response to global educational opportunities for schools, colleges and universities both in terms of UK recruitment and transnational education (TNE) particularly the in-country provision of educational products and services. As a longestablished player in the global educational arena, NCC Education has positioned itself to serve both these markets. I look forward to working with all our centres to continue to take advantage of these great opportunities. Dawn Postans Managing Director Contents 03 Recent Developments in Education 09 sufficiently Satisfied 04 News from NCC Education 10 FE International Attraction 06 University Progression 11 Study World 08 Centre Spotlight: MSBM 12 Success Stories: Jeffer C. Kiprotcih Orbit October

3 regulatory news Educational Developments on qualifications at Qualifications Credit Framework (QCF) Level 6. NCC Education is delighted to have been chosen as one of around thirty awarding bodies who will take part. As we are committed to the quality and high standards of our qualifications we are looking forward to seeing Ofqual s report later in the year. Did you know? The UK is the most popular destination for students studying English outside of their home country, attracting nearly 50% of students globally. The NCC Education International Foundation Year (IFY) is a fantastic qualification aimed at these students. UK Increasing university tuition fees According to recent figures released by the Office of Fair Access (Offa) almost three quarters of UK universities are planning to raise their tuition fees for the academic year beginning in September The average fee will be 8650, which is a rise of 150 per student. This all-time high means students leave university with large amounts of debt. The report has acknowledged that 72% of UK universities are planning to charge the maximum 9,000 fee for some or all of their courses which is a 10% increase on the previous year. Offa, the fair access watchdog, is publishing details of UK university and college fees which will be charged in as well as acknowledging where this money will then be spent in relation to recruiting and retaining poorer students. Before universities are allowed to charge over 6,000 per student they have to commit to and sign an access agreement with Offa. For more information you can visit OFQUAL (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) Ofqual have announced changes to the General Conditions of Recognition which cover all UK Awarding Bodies, taking effect from 1st September The changes relate mostly to security of assessments during training events for teachers. Ofqual are also in the middle of a Thematic Review of awarding bodies. The review will specifically address Tier 4-licensed colleges in the UK (colleges who mostly serve international students). A Thematic Review involves looking at the overall quality assurance and delivery controls in relation to the qualifications to ensure sound assessment, verification and moderation processes. The work will focus International Hong Kong Figures released by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEEA) have shown a steep rise in the amount of candidates sitting secondary education examinations in the country. The recent statistics taken from 514 schools in Hong Kong indicate a rise from about 73,000 students in 2012 to over 82,000 this year. Nearly 50,000 students achieved a level 2 or above in five subjects including Chinese Language and English Language. Obtaining a level 2 or above allows students to apply for civil service roles and sub-degree courses. With increasing numbers of students eligible for a limited number of places on sub-degree courses there is a growing opportunity for international education providers to attract students to study through local partner centres. Only around 52% of eligible candidates can go to local universities, the remaining 13,418 need to find other means of studying a degree course either locally or overseas. NCC Education currently offers Level 3 Diplomas in Business and Computing and the International Foundation Year qualification for study at this level. With 10 centres based across Hong Kong, studying with NCC Education provides candidates with the opportunity to obtain a high quality British qualification despite the geographical constraints and oversubscription limitations they may face. Globally oversubscription is an issue that is facing a vast number of students. In particular Nigeria has been identified as an area in need of added funding to address this problem. NCC Education s presence in Nigeria provides an opportunity for students to study despite difficulties the country has in offering places for study. 03

4 News from ncc education Improving our website As part of our commitment to all of our stakeholders we have undertaken a review of the NCC Education website to ensure the information meets with the needs of our audience. We have taken into consideration new and existing centres, teachers, students and general visitors. The first change relates to our standard terminology which has been amended and improved on to fall in line with industry requirements. The education sector has many different terms which can often be confusing. We currently have centres in 49 countries and to ensure that each country has a clear view of our services, qualifications and programmes a glossary has been added to provide clarity and transparency. We also have plans to continue to improve usability and the availability of information and policies. You can visit our website to read regular industry and business news or you can find us on Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin. NCC Education s Linkedin group offers an opportunity for networking between students, alumni, centres and staff. For more information simply contact the marketing team: [email protected] Feedback from students We have been collecting feedback from our students following completion of the first University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) Business Computing and Information Systems semester. Students were asked to comment on their progress, as well as the three taught modules: Advanced Database Management Systems; Corporate Communications Systems Management; and the teaching stage of the Information Systems Project. Contributions came in from all over the globe: from the London Academy of Management Science; from the Allied Institute of Management Studies in Dubai; and all the way from Gateway in Sri Lanka. We wanted to see how students engaged with the teaching materials, as well as with tutors and each other. We are pleased to say that the results were extremely positive. Despite the attraction of the summer heat for our UK-based students we received detailed feedback from over 50% of the cohort, which is a great return. Students were quick to respond to the online questionnaire, which dealt with each individual unit, and suggested improvements to the delivery and assessment of the qualification. These ideas were further elaborated upon during the online chat session hosted by NCC Education s Product Development Team on Monday 14 August. As always, this feedback set will be discussed with great interest amongst the Academic division here at NCC Education as well the University of Central Lancashire s School of Computing. Here are a few of the questions directed to the students of the March 2013 UCLan BCIS semester as part of the online survey: Orbit October

5 How could we improve the Advanced Database Management Systems unit? Did you interact with your cohort on a regular basis? What was the most challenging part of the Corporate Communications Systems Management unit? What was the most enjoyable part of the Information Systems Project unit? The video lectures for ADMS have been well received and the tutorials were considered good by 80% of those surveyed. 100% also claimed they interacted with other students on a regular basis during the Advanced Database Management Systems unit. Similar numbers were revealed for the Corporate Communications Systems unit also, with some students interacting on a daily basis (no easy feat for an online course!). As for the Information Systems Project unit one student commented, We work closely with other students on this unit so there is a lot of knowledge sharing, which is great. We really loved the course set out by NCC Education and UCLan and appreciate all the input by all the instructors for the first semester. A big thank you to all of you! 05 The chat session, despite initial connection issues, was a massive success also. We personally spoke with a collection of students and all comments, whether positive or negative were constructive and welcomed. Here is one student s comment on the course so far: We really loved the course set out by NCC Education and UCLan and appreciate all the input by all the instructors for the first semester. A big thank you to all of you! All this information will go into improving the online learning experience for existing students about to embark on Semester Two and our new faces starting in September We would like to thank all UCLan students for their support and kind words during this time and to wish them success in their examination results, their second semesters and their upcoming careers. Approved Centre Status (UK only) On 30 September we launched an alternative delivery model for schools, colleges and educational centres within the UK designed to increase accessibility to our qualifications. The new Approved Centre Status allows centres access to NCC Education qualifications without exclusive access to our learning and teaching platform. The Approved Centre status is aimed at centres who are already engaged in offering qualifications from regulated awarding bodies and who wish to extend their portfolio of qualifications. Steve Smith, UK Regional Manager, commented, This new Approved Centre status will offer greater flexibility to UK centres and allow more students to enjoy the benefits through studying for an NCC Education qualification. For more information contact Steve Smith: [email protected]

6 University progression New online MBA with the University of Northampton is designed to build on business and managerial experience and previous postgraduate study and enables participants to engage remotely with online learning environments. Entry requirements for the course are the completion of the Level 7 Diploma in Business Management (L7DBM) qualification and two years relevant work experience. In July NCC Education was pleased to announce a new collaboration with the University of Northampton to deliver Level 7 Diploma in Business Management top-up qualifications. The University of Northampton partnership will enable our Level 7 Diploma in Business Management (L7DBM) students to access a Master of Business Administration (MBA) top-up qualification. Delivered entirely online, there is no need for students to leave their home country in order to study this leading internationally renowned qualification designed for practising managers. The University of Northampton, one of the UK s top 50 universities, was recognised as England s number one university for employability in The MBA qualification Collaborations Manager at NCC Education, Janette Lister, spoke of the great potential of the new partnership, At NCC Education we are looking forward to being able to work with such an established business school in offering an internationally recognised quality qualification to benefit our students across the globe. For more information contact: [email protected] We are looking forward to being able to work with such an established business school. Orbit October

7 THE University of northampton - avenue Campus New University Articulations We are pleased to announce the following new university progression routes: For a full list of all of our university partnerships and NCC Education qualifications which successfully allow for progression visit our website 07

8 centre spotlight Metropolitan School of Business Management, Nigeria NCC Education is pleased to announce the launch of a new partner centre in Nigeria. The newly formed Lagos-based Metropolitan School of Business Management (MSBM) has been granted NCC Education Accredited Partner status and will begin offering Level 7 Diplomas in IT and Business, as well as the Master s Level Strategic Business Information Systems qualification through the University of Hertfordshire. Situated in Lagos, one of the world s fastest growing cities, the centre currently has the capacity to accommodate around 100 students with plans to register students for their first intake in Metropolitan School of Business Management joins 10 other centres in Nigeria offering NCC Education qualifications. NCC Education, Business Development Manager, Gavin Phillips has identified Nigeria as an area with a great demand for centres such as MSBM, a country he describes as having great student numbers without the required amount of colleges to accommodate them. I believe that there is great potential for MSBM to become an excellent and successful partner centre At MSBM students are given the opportunity to work on live projects relevant to their course of study, alongside worldrenowned organisations. The centre offers excellent links with businesses and the public sector in order to provide a relevant and stimulating learning environment. Based on the values of Honesty, Integrity and Mutual Respect the learning experience at MSBM is designed to produce graduates capable of excelling in the Business and IT industries both in Nigeria and on a global scale. Gavin Phillips also commented on the impact the centre can have on Nigeria s largest city, Offering brand new facilities to a busy area of Lagos, the centre and the staff are enthusiastic to get these qualifications up and running and I believe that there is great potential for MSBM to become an excellent and successful partner centre. With a view to the future the centre also boasts a UK-based campus with the potential for running NCC Education qualifications in London in the coming years. For now, NCC Education s centres in Nigeria offer quality British qualifications and provide a cost-effective alternative to studying abroad for students in a country where there are currently around 15 million students finishing school that cannot gain entry to university. Lagos Nigeria Orbit October

9 Sufficiently Satisfied? NCC Education is launching a number of projects to better understand what centres and students think about the qualifications and service they receive. This research aims to find out more about the opinions from our customers and make sure their interests lie at the very heart of our organisation. Customer satisfaction means how happy our customers are with the products and services provided by our organisation. NCC Education will be adopting a number of techniques to measure the current satisfaction levels within NCC Education centres and the wider student community. Methods will include asking centres and students to complete satisfaction surveys online via the website and our virtual learning environment Campus. We will also continue to perform regular customer service activities including reviewing centre and student feedback, conduct centre monitoring visits and measure all complaints. In addition the operations team will perform a complete review of all feedback received across the 49 countries in which NCC Education is currently active. Our main objective is to continually improve and develop our qualifications in line with the needs of our students and the world marketplace. Why Wait? NCC Education loves to receive feedback and if you would like to send your views directly please [email protected] Sian Thomas, NCC Education s Academic Support Manager, who is leading the project commented: We are looking to engage with over 1000 students to gain a true understanding of the value of NCC Education qualifications. We want to know if the qualifications address their needs and provide them with the career path they really need and want. Our main objective is to continually improve and develop our qualifications in line with the needs of our students and the world marketplace. NCC Education Centres will also be invited to complete a satisfaction survey so that NCC Education can really understand how our service and the qualifications can continually improve and match the expectations of the global audience. NCC Education s published service standards can be found on our website. 09

10 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FE International Attraction Event The Hoxton Hotel, London. This October will see NCC Education host its first exclusive UK International Attraction Centre event in the trendy, upcoming area of Shoreditch, London. The event will see an audience of key decision-makers from various Further Education colleges gather together to discuss key trends and share insights relating to the provision of suitable qualifications for students wishing to come to the UK and study. As long-standing specialists in designing qualifications which meet the needs of international students, NCC Education is keen to open the floor to share views and understand the rapidly evolving requirements and characteristics of the typical international student. The market environment has undergone significant changes over the years. Since the beginning NCC Education has worked alongside many schools and colleges aiding them in developing their intake and growing their student numbers through the addition of relevant qualifications which offer extensive progression routes and clear career pathways. The company s Managing Director, Dawn Postans commented: NCC Education is delighted to host a specific event which focuses on the needs of the Further Education colleges and their international student recruitment. We are looking forward to generating interesting debate and sharing our knowledge and best practice with key industry figures. The event will be held at The Hoxton Hotel, a venue We are looking forward to generating interesting debate and sharing our knowledge and best practice with key industry figures. which offers an alternative twist on typical formal conference facilities. The environment and layout was created as a result of a collaboration between The Hoxton Hotel and The Soho House Group and has won the Guardian and Observer Best UK Hotel Award for three years running. Joining Dawn Postans will be a number of representatives from international roles within UK Further Education colleges and the following NCC Education team: Director of Academic Delivery, Emma Dawkins, Regional Manager, Steve Smith and Marketing Manager, Lucy Nixon. For more information regarding NCC Education events please contact [email protected] Orbit October

11 event highlights Hilton London Metropole, London In September NCC Education s Regional Manager, Steve Smith and Marketing Manager, Lucy Nixon joined over 850 study-abroad professionals from over 60 countries at the StudyWorld fair in London. The event took place at the Hilton London Metropole, one of London s premier business hotels. Established over 40 years ago in 1969, StudyWorld has since grown to become one of the most recognised events in the international student calendar, bringing together the best education providers, consultants, agents and students from the world of English language teaching. The event attracts colleges and schools from all over the world. well as students to discuss the International Foundation Year (IFY) qualification. This qualification is perfect for international students as the units address important English Language Skills and also enable students to get a head start in either Business or IT. Whichever their chosen pathway, it provides students with the perfect platform to then study for a degree in the UK and overseas. The event was a great success and NCC Education is looking forward to welcoming on board both the centres and students who we met with during the exhibition. For more information regarding NCC Education events please contact [email protected] Lucy Nixon attended the event: StudyWorld 2013 allowed NCC Education to meet up with existing and new centres, as This qualification is perfect for international students as the units address important English Language Skills 11

12 SUCCESS STORIES: From Kenya to California Jeffer C. Kiprotcih, a graduate of the New York Film Academy, who serves in the US Air Force, is the author of the novel Kismet in the East, Murder in the Moonlight, and still finds time to study for a degree in Business Computing and Information Systems. At only 26 the California-based Kenyan has already achieved a great deal but is still committed to self-improvement through study, In 2006 I was in Kenya, and while actively searching for a reputable higher learning institution, I stumbled upon the Institute of Advanced Technology (IAT) in Nairobi, perhaps what interested me the most was the fact that they were an NCC Education partner and offered international diplomas. Despite leaving Kenya for America Jeffer managed to complete his Level 5 Diploma in Computer Studies, sitting his exams at the UK s London Academy of Management Science. Jeffer now studies the BSc (Hons) Business Computing and Information Systems (BCIS) degree, awarded by the University of Central Lancashire and delivered online by NCC Education. Having a full-time job in the military and commitments to writing two more novels means that finding time to study can be difficult for Jeffer Duty calls at a moment s notice and it is sometimes a challenge trying to balance that with the civilian life, but I m particularly grateful for the distance-learning concept that has made it possible for me to enrol. Jeffer s units of study include Advanced Database Management Systems (ADMS) and Corporate Communication Systems Management (CCSM) alongside the opening stage of Information Systems Project (ISP), a unit which lasts for the duration of the BCIS qualification and provides roughly one-third of the overall mark. I enjoy every bit of the ADMS and CCSM sessions; from the lively and informative live chats, and lecturers to the private group discussions. The projects/assignments are challenging but rewarding at the same time. Duty calls at a moment s notice and it is sometimes a challenge trying to balance that with the civilian life Through distance-learning Jeffer has been able to manage his study whilst contending with the unpredictable nature of his job, I knew this was going to be a challenge, especially when you re in the middle of nowhere but because of the online learning environment he doesn t feel like he has missed out on the classroom experience. It was really easy for me to get along with my class mates, who come from different parts of the world and of different races/ nationalities. I spend as much time communicating with most of them as I spend talking to my own friends in the States. I don t doubt that some of the friendships will last a lifetime. Jeffer sat his exams in July and can add a distinction grade degree in Business Computing and Information Systems to his already impressive list of achievements. NCC Education has now defined my life in a major way and my dream is to one day have a framed NCC Alumni certificate on my desk; and spread the good word. NCC EDUCATION UK HEAD OFFICE The Towers Towers Business Park Wilmslow Road Didsbury Manchester M20 2EZ United Kingdom T: F: