Tri-Service University Short Course Programme Prospectus Sep 08/Jul 09

Introduction

The Tri-Service University Short Course Programme (USCP) has been in existence since 1953 and is sponsored by the three Services.  The USCP was established as part of the Services further education provision.

Purpose

The USCP now forms part of the wider strategy of the Services to contribute to the improvement of the general education of Service personnel.  Based upon the philosophy of Lifelong Learning, the USCP intends to help Service personnel make a more effective contribution to Service life by developing their knowledge and personal skills.  This is achieved through personnel having the opportunity to address matters of current importance and research and development within an academic environment.  The USCP is not intended for resettlement purposes or to supplement formal training.

Aim

The aim of the USCP is to meet the broad educational needs of Service personnel of all rank levels.

University Short Course Prospectus

The Prospectus contains information to help students select an appropriate course to meet their own personal development needs. There are approximately 1200 USCP places available each academic.  Prospective students should consult this prospectus before applying for any listed course.  Some courses require a high level of participation, pre-course reading and group syndicate work.  It is therefore essential that prospective students are made aware of the academic level and expectation of courses before application.  To gain support for their application at Unit level prospective students are strongly advised to copy the relevant page from this prospectus to their authorising officer (Officer Commanding/Line Manager).  If necessary, prospective students should consult either their respective Line Manager or Education/Training Officer for further guidance. 

Subject Areas

The USCP offers courses in the following categories:

• Personnel and Management Studies
• Regional and Strategic Studies
• Science, Information Technology and Engineering
• Languages
• Social Studies

Courses are designed and delivered by university departments who have a recognised standing in the subject field.  Qualifications are not awarded for courses but the content may contribute towards a portfolio of evidence or Personal Development Record.  Certificates of attendance are issued for some courses.  Other courses gain an award of Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS) points if students are prepared to undertake an additional assignment – this may attract an additional fee payable by the student.  Part of this fee may be reclaimed through the Standard Learning Credit scheme.

Locations

Courses are provided currently by:

• Birmingham
• Bradford
• Bristol
• Cambridge
• Exeter
• Gloucestershire
• Leeds
• Southampton
• St Andrews

Accommodation

The courses are residential.  Students will be required to live in accommodation provided by the university for the duration of the course.  Tuition and accommodation costs are paid under a central contract arrangement by the parent Service.

Travel & Subsistence

Single Service regulations apply.

Army/RAF

Travel costs are not included.  Prospective students must check that their own Unit is able to meet their travel costs before applying for a course.  Students who need to travel over a long distance should seek Unit authorisation prior to the course for any overnight subsistence allowance required either before or after the course.

Navy

RN personnel should contact ABLO on Portsmouth (9380) ext 21133 in order to check details of travel arrangements to and from the university courses.

Application and Selection Procedure

Students should apply on the tri-Service form FEd 1011 and submit their application through their respective Education Clerk/Officer/Co-ordinator to the appropriate HQ staffs as follows:

Selection

Courses are extremely popular and the number of places available is restricted.  The aim is to provide an attendance group drawn from across the Services that is representative of the spectrum of ranks, background and experience.  This is achieved by assessing all applications against agreed Tri-Service selection criteria.

Application

To ensure the best chance for selection all the details requested on the FEd 1011 must be provided.  The reasons for applying for the course must be clearly explained in detail; applications should note that the USCP is designed neither for core training nor resettlement preparation.  Failure to complete the FEd 1011 correctly could prejudice selection.

Cancellation and Reserve Lists

Students who may have to cancel their place on a course for either operational or personal reasons must advise their respective Service point of contact without delay so that a replacement can be found.  To be considered for the Reserve List of a course, students should indicate on the FEd 1011 whether they can be released to take up a vacancy at short notice.  Only when either the exigencies of Service duty or a Service recognised compassionate case prevents attendance on a course will cancellation fees be waived.  In all other instances cancellation fees will be recovered from the applicant.

Closing Date

The closing date for applications is 6 weeks prior to the start of the course.  Students should receive notification regardless of whether their application has been successful or not.  Selected students will receive joining instructions shortly afterwards.

Feedback

Internal Validation

To contribute to the programme a selection of course students will be asked to complete a Tri-Service validation report.  The findings will assist in course and programme design.

Comments

Readers are encouraged to forward their comments on any aspect of the University Short Course Programme either to their single Service contact, or by pressing the Contact Us button below which will forward all comments to the RAF USCP Co-ordinator.

If you have any further questions you can contact your Education Clerk/Co-ordinator, or Personal Learning Advisor (PLA) on your unit, or your equivalent Service Point of Contact. 

Full USCP Prospectus 08/09 (PDF)

University Short Course Application Form