Digital and Technology Solutions (Integrated Degree Apprenticeship)

The MSc Digital and Technology Solutions (Integrated Degree Apprenticeship) is an innovative taught programme designed and delivered with industry and targeted at professionals. The programme is aligned to the Level 7 Apprenticeship Standard - Digital & Technology Solutions Specialist (Data Analytics Specialism). It will cover the core areas of digital leadership and technology management as well as underpinning technical knowledge and skills in Data Analytics that will enable you to explore applications of Digital Technology and Data Analytics in the workplace.

Taught modules will be delivered by University of Exeter in an accessible format to accommodate and complement your organisational context. You will undertake modular teaching at first followed by a substantial work based project in your organisation, which will be closely supported by academics with relevant expertise. Throughout the modular components, industry experts will be consulted on course content, ensuring a balance of academic rigour and relevance to business needs.

Digital and Data are transforming the modern workplace and skills in data analytics provide you with the foundation and vehicle for these domains to be developed, embedded and communicated in practice. You will benefit from the University’s significant investments in world leading academics and gain a respected qualification alongside practical mentoring to effectively embed your learning in the workplace. Your employers participating in the course will gain valuable skillsets within their organisation to drive digital and data leadership and innovation.

The main programme’s intention is to provide you the academic content for a Level 7 apprenticeship, the approved standard for Level 7 Digital & Technology Solutions Specialist (Integrated Degree) as stated in Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE): https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/digital-and-technology-solutions-specialist-integrated-degree/. Programme’s content is designed for investigation, identifying and implementing technological strategic solutions and will cover:

• the management and leadership in technology;
• related business and change management;
• data engineering for ensuring the underlying acquired big data is organised and accessible for analysis and decision-making;
• data in business and society for analysing the information governance requirements;
• data analysis and visualisation with extensive coverage of machine learning for making informed decisions and derive valuable insights for addressing real-world business and industrial challenges.

This is a blended programme and you will be taught at Streatham campus and virtually. The content will be delivered through a combination of intensive face to face teaching (e.g. in person/virtual masterclasses and webinars) and subsequent weekly online teaching, incorporating lectures, practicals, seminars and group work, individual self-study, and online interaction with modules’ tutors. Assessment will primarily be coursework assignments designed to be flexible and fit around your other commitments, presentations and in class tests.

Industry partners will also contribute to programme design and offer guest lectures and specialist training. This programme format is currently unique in the UK and represents a distinctive industry-focused approach to postgraduate training in Digital and Technology Solutions.

Mapping to the Level 7 Digital and Technology Solutions (Data Analytics Specialism) standard

When used to deliver the academic content needed for this apprenticeship, the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) associated with the apprenticeship have been mapped to programme modules.

University of Exeter Award: MSc Digital and Technology Solutions

The MSc Digital and Technology Solutions is an eighteen-month full-time programme of study at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). Programmes are divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’. The MSc is made up of 180 credits, of which there are 100 credits of taught modules, 20 credit Portfolio and a 60 credit Project module. All modules on this programme are compulsory.

Interim awards:

There are no interim awards.

Standard Exit  Awards

• Postgraduate Diploma: At least 120 credits of which 90 or more must be at level M.
• Postgraduate Certificate: At least 60 credits of which 45 or more must be at level M.

Award

You must attempt the End-Point Assessment (EPA) before the University of Exeter award can be conferred.

There are no condonable modules (i.e., no condonement process) available in this programme and the pass mark for award of credit in PG modules (NQF level 7) is 50%.

Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook.

Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.

Academic Mentors

In accordance with University policy a system of Academic mentors is in place for all students on this programme. A University-wide statement on such provision is included in the University’s TQA Manual. As a student enrolled on this programme you will receive the personal and academic support of the Programme Coordinator and will have regular scheduled tripartite meetings with your academic mentor and workplace mentor; you may request additional meetings as and when required. The role of Academic mentor is to provide you with advice and support during the programme study. Your academic mentor will work with you to address questions, explain processes,

monitor progress and sign off your end point assessment materials. They will help sign-post to module academic leads and welfare and other University services if you need. They will also conduct face-to-face tripartite meetings at your workplace sites and virtual meetings using webinars and other technology.

Academic Staff and IT Support.

You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff. Information Technology (IT) Services provide a wide range of services throughout the Exeter campuses including open access computer rooms, some of which are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Help may be obtained through the Helpdesk, and most study bedrooms in halls and flats are linked to the University’s campus network.

Additionally, the Faculty has its own dedicated IT support staff, helpdesk and computer facilities which are linked to the wider network, but which also provide access to some specialised software packages. Email is an important channel of communication between staff and students in the Faculty and an extensive range of web based information (see https://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/) is maintained for the use of students, including a comprehensive and annually revised student handbook.

The Harrison Learning Resource Centre is generally open during building open hours. The Centre is available for quiet study, with four separate rooms that can be booked for meetings and group work. Amongst its facilities, the Learning Resource Centre has a number of desks, four meeting rooms with large LCD screens, and free use of a photocopier. Also available are core set texts from your module reading lists, and undergraduate and MSc projects from the past two years (if applicable).

Online Module study resources provide materials for modules that you are registered for, in addition to some useful subject and IT resources. Generic study support resources, library and research skills, past exam papers, and the ‘Academic Honesty and Plagiarism’ module are also available through the student portal (http://vle.exeter.ac.uk).

Student/Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC) enables students and staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.

• A second-class honours degree in a relevant subject
• Level 2 Maths and English will need to be evidenced prior to end-point assessment (EPA).
• Alternatively, a minimum of five years’ experience in a data analytics role would be considered if no prior degree is held.

Applicants will be in a role that supports the gathering of evidence required for the Level 7 Digital & Technology Solutions apprenticeship ‘standard’

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed Faculty assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both Faculty and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.

Faculty entry – Provide summary of the outcomes of recent accreditation by PSRBs or others.

Certain programmes are subject to accreditation and/or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).

There is no PSRB for this programme.