UKBC is committed to facilitate the concept and practice of widening participation in higher education by recruiting students from diverse backgrounds and, in particular, those whose educational experience to date has been one of underachievement. Thus, giving them a second chance to maximise their potential.
The College’s determination to achieve an even more diverse student community recognises the social, educational, and cultural benefits this confers to the individual and society in general. Given the nature of our student recruitment, we aim to reduce barriers to learning by constantly reviewing and evaluating our policies and procedures for student recruitment and admissions, induction, learning and teaching, assessment, student support, staff development, and course development. This ensures t. that all those with the potential to succeed at UKBC can do so. In this way, we will continue to do everything we can to make the College even more attractive to those from under- represented groups. This is supported through activities to encourage fair access, retention, and performance.
Mission and Vision Statements
The UK Business College is firmly grounded in its community and plays a significant role in supporting young people and adults in developing their knowledge, skills, and education in preparation for employment, career advancement or further study. The UKBC provides the culture, environment, facilities, resources, and services to enable learners at all career stages, to make effective progress and contribute to a thriving local economy.
The College is committed to widening participation, providing opportunities for all learners to achieve and progress.
Our Mission
- To offer a wide range of courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels
- To build and strengthen our international campuses, offering to students in their locality, business courses and other courses in what the government terms “high value” skills, such as teaching; nursing; policing, environmental science, and IT.
- To strengthen our relationships with the international communities, who are recently arrived in the UK
- To offer practical continuing professional and personal development to people who already in work in the field of education in the UK
- To offer courses for locally based UK residents in a range of Education related courses from Classroom Practitioners to Education Management
- To offer post-graduate courses to prepare leaders in the practice and study of education.
Our Vision
Our vision describes the future we want for our institution and the impact we aim to have on the world. Our values are what we hold to be important, including the standards we expect of one another as we work together to achieve our vision.
- To be a leading force in the field of business education with an excellent international reputation.
- To have created a world- renowned partnerships with equally world -renowned names of companies and institutions in “the City of London”
- To be seen as “a first choice” institution for Business- related studies in those places where we have established campuses.
- To be a leading force in the Field of Education Practice, where our students are representative of the communities they will go into, to act as supreme role models too, and be a superb inspiration for, the future generations of young people.
- To be known as the greatest source of creation of working people, so that we are recognised and become known for the many ways in which we help our students, and their students to realise their full potential, regardless of background.
- To be recognised as being progressive and questioning, yet also compassionate and caring.
- To have national and international recognition that our spirit reflects our location at the heart of major world- renowned cities which are homes to diverse communities.
Our Values:
- Our openness and inclusivity,
- our commitment to social responsibility
- our adaptability and readiness for innovation, particularly but not exclusively in aspects of teaching and learning
- our remarkably close bonds with, (and location at the heart of) the communities we serve
- We have built our vision and strategic plan on extensive research; consultation with colleagues, students, local and regional businesses, and stakeholders.
- We are ambitious in our pursuit of latest ideas, greater understanding, and discovery.
- We embrace and celebrate difference, respect, and support each other, and act with integrity to benefit society and the environment by transforming and enriching lives.
- As a modern HEI and social institution, we recognize an inherent obligation to serve its students, its alumni and alumnae, the professions, the world of scholarship, and society.
- We support with enthusiasm and vigour the principles of freedom of thought and speech.
- We think and speak freely, and act boldly to challenge assumptions and shape our future for the greater good.
- To advance education, knowledge, and wisdom for the good of society, we will determinedly support the excellence of our people, learning and innovation, and for the benefits we bring to society and the environment.
- As an autonomous institution, we will strive to bring our shared values to life.
Our Objectives:
- To develop, extend further and deliver academic and professional qualifications at all levels of the national curriculum framework according to local demand.
- To acquire and maintain resources in line with growing student numbers and enhance institutional capabilities in order to support students in their endeavours to successfully complete their studies.
- To adopt best practices in leadership, governance, management and administration in order to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all stakeholders, enhance the educational journey of learners and promote student engagement.
- To maintain institutional sustainability in order to ensure continuing operations and safeguard the well-being of all stakeholders.
The Admissions Policy reiterates our belief in the educational and social benefits, to the College and to our students, of a diverse student population, drawn from all sections of society. In practice, the College attracts applications from mature students. These students have typically underachieved in secondary education for a variety of reasons and comprise diverse ethnic groups and those with disabilities. Screening for Accreditation of Prior Experience (SAPE) takes place where appropriate.
The Student Support Policy and Disability Policy introduces student support as a key theme to support individuals of all backgrounds, abilities, and aspirations to fulfil their potential through learning, achievement, and progression. This is demonstrated by the availability of designated support in specific areas, pastoral, careers, and academics run by appropriately qualified staff.
Equality and Diversity
The College is committed to supporting, developing, and promoting equality and diversity in all its practices and activities and aims to establish an inclusive culture free from discrimination and based upon the values of dignity, courtesy, and respect. The institution will support and develop the staff and student populations by providing all with access to facilities, personal and career development opportunities, employment, and study based on equality.
The College’s commitment to the principles can be seen in the following programme for the progression of a student from initial contact to completion:
Pre-entry advice and guidance
The delivery of appropriate academic and pastoral guidance to all prospective and current students is an important strategic policy. The recruitment process starts with an open day where Admissions and faculty staff members deliver a presentation about the College.
Admissions and induction
After that stage applicants are shortlisted, and selected individuals are invited to attend an
‘Assessment Day’. Applicants complete the registration form, undertake an Initial Entry Test and an English and Numeracy test. They then complete the required SAPE (Screening for Accreditation of Prior Experience).
After an applicant’s documents are checked and verified, they are then interviewed by an academic staff member. This dialogue between an academic staff member and prospective student is crucial, and during the interview, staff members evaluate the applicant’s suitability for the program as well as their intention and motivation to successfully complete their targeted qualification.
During the interview, the academic staff member also identifies areas of improvement for an applicant. At that stage, it may also be the case that the interviewer refers the applicant to the Academic Support Centre in order to attend additional workshops. Upon successful completion of the admission process, and once the applicant accepts the offer to study, the form is sent to the Academic Support Centre for further reference. For mature students who have not been part of the formal education process for many years study skills in various aspects including IT invariably need revision and reinforcement.
The final step before the programme commencement is Induction. During this three day event new students are made aware of policies and procedures for the college and awarding bodies, further information some of an administrative nature, a study skills programme run by the academic staff and an introduction to the structure of their course and how their work will be assessed.
First term/semester
Lectures, tutorials, office hours and academic support are all different levels of support to students which take place. Each semester registry monitor students’ academic progression as well as attendance and familiarise themselves with the students. Personal development plans are also linked in the process.
Consequently, a rapport between tutor and student is developed and this also contributes to student engagement at much higher levels. The programme leader is in constant communication with the tutors and any problems identified are dealt with swiftly. When a particular student has been identified as needing further general support, the tutor refers the individual to Academic Support Centre and their study skills seminars.
Second term/semester
Whilst tutoring continues to play an important role in supporting students the role of the Academic Support Centre becomes increasingly significant. This Centre was specifically set up in recognition that mature students returning to education after many years and with variable experience often find it difficult to readjust to a learning culture. Following the Examination Board at the end of the first semester students who have not successfully completed the required assessments are referred to the Centre where they will receive support additional to their concomitant studies in order to retrieve the missed assessments. This support continues, subject to Examination and Progression Board determinations, throughout the course. In this way the College recognises the challenges which can accompany the commitment to widening access particularly in the successful retention of some students.
Throughout the course the College offers pastoral support from staff with relevant experience. It is inevitable that many mature students will encounter problems of a social nature such as those in respect of families and other relationships. Support from Student Support plays an integral part in the retention of students who may be considering withdrawing because of outside factors and where unexpected demands of their course impinge on other commitments.
Employment/progression
The College recognises the need to prepare for and facilitate student progression after completion of their course. As part of the dedicated Student Support team staff specialise in careers advice. This may take the form of further study or employment. This employment may involve the students own company.
To this end the Support team will operate a number of strategies. These include one to one interviews, seminars on careers often with specialist outside speakers, organisation of visits to employment exhibitions, workshops on CV writing, interview techniques and university application. These are often run in conjunction with the College Student Union. This Union although set up with a constitution and with elected representatives in the traditional pattern specifically focuses on the needs of the mature student population in particular facilitating a system of self-help utilising the varied experiences of its members.
In summary UKBC is committed to the policy of widening participation in higher education and its student profile equates totally with this aim. Thus it works to raise aspirations and educational attainment among its students by:
- preparing them for higher education
- ensuring success on their programme of study
- improving their employment prospects
- opening possibilities for postgraduate study
- giving them opportunities to return to learning throughout their lives.