FdA Government (e-learning)
Student Profiles
"I found the course really interesting, and I have learnt so much about areas of the Council's work that I would not normally get involved in" - Student
[read more FdA Government student feedback]
Name: Sarah Hall
Age: 39
Course: Foundation Degree in Government
Year: 1
Role: HEO
Department: Shared Services
Government Organisation: Department for Work and Pensions
What made you want to study the foundation degree in Government?
I have worked for DWP (previously DHSS and DSS) since leaving school half way through my A-levels 1986. I'm currently an HEO with Shared Services managing a contact team in Debt Management. I always regretted not going into further education and recently my line manager suggested I apply for the Foundation Degree. I was initially worried about fitting it in with nearly full-time work and children etc, but have found it easier than I expected to give up the time.
How have you found the e-learning experience?
I've found the e-learning easier to use than I anticipated and that the course information is enough to complete the assignments.
How has studying the course affected your role?
Once I got started I have been enjoying it. It's definitely helped my own confidence and proved to me that I can do something if I apply myself. Having opted out of education I wasn't convinced I would be up to it but have been really pleased with the marks I've been getting and I feel now that as long as I stick to it I will have no problems getting through the whole course.
It is enabling me to gain formal recognition for what I do and will enhance my own career development. I hope that being able to make claims under the Accredited Prior Learning system will enable me to gain credits more quickly. I fully intend to go on to the third year to gain a full honours degree.
Name: Felicity Price
Age: 46
Course: Foundation Degree in Government
Year: 1
Role: Executive Officer
Department: Department for Children, Schools and Families
Government Organisation: Cheshire County Council
What made you want to study the foundation degree in Government?
I have worked in the civil service for 28 and a half years most of the time in a career as a payroll officer for staff within the department. In more recent years I have been working for the Public Communications Unit in delivering the Every Child Matters agenda with the Children's Plan now being the Department's top priority. I am aware of the history that has evolved since starting in the civil service way back in 1979 but I felt I needed to know more about why Government do what they do and be aware of how policies affect the public at large.
When the Department invited staff with the opportunity to undertake a foundation degree in Government I saw this as an opening to enhance my knowledge of the civil service as a whole, how governments have changed over the years with the impact these policies had on the nation and to identify where I fit into the bigger picture.
How have you found the e-learning experience?
I'll be honest, I am not a very technical type of person but the Victory learning system is excellent. The course studies are easy to navigate and the detail set-out within each module is very informative. The on-line discussion boards are useful and can lead to huge debates between students and tutors alike.
Sending completed assessments for marking is very easy to do and there is a useful calendar that highlights assessment deadline dates. Finally, tutors and section instructors are easy to contact through the email system in Victory, who I might add are very quick at responding.
How has studying the course affected your role?
As a manager the studying so far has identified the importance of my role in delivering the Government's objectives, the need for providing good customer service, how stakeholders are linked to the work that I am doing and supporting staff to identify their training needs.
Name: Sarah Clements
Course: Foundation Degree in Government
Year: 2
Department: Government Decontamination Service
Government Organisation: Food and Environment Research Agency
“Being sponsored by my agency to do this degree has been a huge boost to my confidence and finally enables me to have a recognisable qualification for the work I have done throughout my civil service career, while giving me the opportunity to gain experience in all of the key professional skills for government areas.
I have been able to put back into the business enhanced skills and knowledge, to support a number of projects and specific tasks in my business area of the agency. These skills have been recognised by senior managers who have been able to see a tangible return for their investment.
Additionally, I have been able to coach and support others in their own development as a result of embarking on this degree. The University of Portsmouth have been extremely supportive and I cannot recommend them enough. Really supportive tutors.”