Microcredentials

We are a teaching-intensive and research-inspired University which delivers excellence in work integrated learning, digital innovation, and entrepreneurial skills.

Our focus is on delivering a next generation academic experience, designed to equip our students with the knowledge and skills they need to make significant contributions to society and the economy.

Universities like Staffordshire have the capability, opportunity and responsibility to support the places where they are based, and it has never been more imperative that Higher Education steps up to the challenge and supports lifelong learners.

That’s why we are developing microcredentials

• to deliver the skills development our region needs
• to increase access and make it easier to transition into higher education
• to enhance the functional skills in our local communities

We are very proud of our microcredential offer and we have harnessed the very best of our academic, business engagement and pedagogic expertise to support learners

Why study a microcredential?

Whether you’re looking for professional development or to taste higher education before committing to a degree, microcredentials are ideal. Many of them are designed around employer needs and target growth areas for jobs. 

Taught online or through a hybrid model, each microcredential is worth up to 10 credits. These credits can either count as a standalone qualification or be ‘stacked up’ to form part of a larger study programme. If you fancy dipping your toes into higher education before committing to a degree, you can explore topics such as academic writing, professional skills and digital excellence.

Staffordshire Skills Starters

The Staffordshire Skills Starters framework will bring the microcredentials movement to Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. Taught in an online or ‘hybrid’ mode for flexibility with bespoke support, each course includes 100 hours of learning in a specially designed format. Through the framework, we are launching a range of short course, modular provision which are designed to address the specific needs of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire and provide learning opportunities across the region.

These microcredentials align with the government’s skills agenda and the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), offering a pathway for learners at different stages. By accumulating credits from the Starter courses, learners can progress within the Staffordshire Skills Framework to gain credits and a certificate. Credits are also transferable to other institutions.

Our Virtual Learning Environment

We have created a bespoke learning environment which utilises Blackboard Ultra to deliver our microcredentials. Through our purpose-built Training and Development Manager (TDM), all of our students have access to our high quality VLE.

This TDM offers seamless integration with Blackboard to allow our students to engage with all learning materials needed to succeed. Our platform allows for learners to access both free and paid for microcredentials.Through our online and ‘hybrid’ microcredentials’ VLE, our learners are able to take part in online discussions, collaborate on projects, track their progress through the course and submit any assignments via the platform.

Within Blackboard, stacking microcredentials and our modularised offer will result in 100 hours of skills development learning. This is supported by a bespoke VLE for each course, where all materials have been created to support these courses.