'futures' electives
A realistic Guide to life at UCLan - written by students!
As part of your Degree or Diploma you will have the opportunity to incorporate into your programme of study an element of free-choice learning described as an elective. The primary purpose of the free-choice elective is to enable you to develop skills and acquire knowledge outside your main area of study. futures offers a range of free choice electives designed to help you develop those all important ‘employability and enterprise skills’ that employers are looking for .
Let’s hear from actual students who have studied the electives:
A mature student who is studying for a degree in Active Citizenship & Volunteer Development didn’t know which career path was for her:
“I chose a futures’ elective because I needed some clarity and direction which I was not getting through my degree course. The personal development module has made me totally rethink my education and career direction as well as bringing up personal issues that I need to work on. This has not only been beneficial for myself, but I also feel more confident in helping others. It has been invaluable to me and I think most students would benefit from taking this elective. The delivery is top class and the lecturer, Lorraine has been extremely efficient and supportive”
A Psychology and Deaf Studies student was unable to take a futures elective because of her course.
“I was unable to take a futures’ elective as I did not have the choice to take an elective in either my second or third year. I feel that it would have helped me with deciding what direction to go in when I graduate and how to go about it, as well as giving me important skills which would have benefit me in a workplace environment and to get interviews.
I feel that many students often don't get the opportunity to take these modules as some courses don't have electives available. Also, if students only have the opportunity to take an elective in their first year they are likely to be less concerned about taking a career orientated module as first year students have a lot to deal with without thinking about their careers. I think these futures modules look very beneficial and I wish I'd had the chance to take one”
Some courses don’t offer an optional elective in the second and third year. However, many do make this an option. Some of the futures’ electives can be taken as an extra option should an elective not be offered, but it would be best to speak to your course leader or futures adviser before making this decision.
If you sure of your career direction or not, these electives can be fun, challenging and very beneficial to people on all types of courses.
If you are interested in finding out more about our electives view details at http://www.uclan.ac.uk/information/services/futures/students/elective_modules.php
Alternatively contact futures on 01772 895858 or futures@uclan.ac.uk.
