The FdSc Operations Management programme offers students the opportunity to advance their career through engaging in personal and professional development, increasing management competence, and enhancing overall employability. The degree is a Work Based Distance Learning (WBDL) programme.
The degree is based on the University's WBDL degree framework and aims to meet the study needs of people who are in full time employment within a relevant operations management environment. It attempts to break down the barriers between learning at work and learning at university, recognising the high level of skills and learning that are demonstrated every day in the workplace and providing a degree framework to support and accredit this learning. It is designed to allow individuals to make maximum use of their work experience and previous learning.
A work-based distance learning programme
Utilises a range of digital and technological learning tools
Individual learning programmes focused on work-related and relevant learning
Apply knowledge in real-world settings
Access to specialist expertise
The programme starts with a traditional study skills module which is aimed at creating the opportunity for the students to build their own body of knowledge. The module aims to introduce students to the various tools and techniques of study. At the end, it is expected that students will have a basic toolkit which they can draw on throughout their academic journey.
Students then move on to studying the management of people. As part of the operational process people will be an important factor in delivering the operation. This module sets the scene for this approach by outlining the theory, practice, and individual experiences of supporting and managing people to deliver the operation.
The course continues to build on the role of the operations manager by looking at tools and techniques of operations management, focusing on processes and systems. Students are introduced to the underlying concepts of operations management and how these can be used to develop and deliver the operational outcomes linked to the strategic outcomes of the organisation.
The final module at level 1 adopts a summative approach in which people and systems are brought together within the operational concept to develop planning and control insight into the delivery of the operation. Although focused on the internal elements of organisations and their operations, it does take the first steps at looking beyond the organisation to develop a view of the value chain the organisation sits in.
The first module of level 2 returns to the tools and techniques of academic skills. Students, having practised initial learning skills at level 1, now focus on more advanced skills and in particular research skills that arm them with the tools and techniques they will need to explore the capstone module the Operations Challenge.
The programme then returns to the role of people in delivering the operation. The module Developing as a Leader and Manager moves past basic management skills and looks at the role of the individual in leading and managing a team within the operational context. It draws on level 1 study to review the role of the manager as a leader within a team.
The penultimate module, Digital Technologies, begins to draw the study to a close by asking students to reflect on the operational process through the prisms of new technology and how this will impact the management of the process and systems within the operation. Digital technologies are presented as a key tool for the combination of various activities for the manager to use as a dashboard for the design, delivery and improvement of the operational process.
The work concludes with a capstone module which requires students to draw on the programme to develop a project for the improvement of a chosen organisation. This module has a pragmatic and practitioner focus offering students the opportunity to apply the learning to a real-life situation echoing the role a student as producer.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, contact hours, and our return to face-to-face teaching.
Students may benefit many aspects of the course including:
All applicants will be selected for the programme individually, based on the articulated entry requirements in line with the University policy. It is expected that some students will use a combination of experience and previous qualifications to join the course, applicants who already hold a level 4 qualification may be able to start at Level 5, completing the final 4 modules to achieve the foundation degree.
As this work based programme is designed for those who are not immediately continuing from Level 3, we consider a wide range of applications, so encourage individual eligibility requests.
Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. To help support students from outside of the UK, we are also delighted to offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.
Optional on-campus days may be available to you. Where these are optional students will normally (unless stated otherwise) be required to pay their own transportation, accommodation and meal costs.
With regards to text books, University of Lincoln provides students who enrol with a comprehensive reading list and our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts that students are required to read. However, students may prefer to purchase some of these for themselves and will therefore be responsible for this cost.
This programme is designed to help students advance their careers by furthering their management competence and general employability. The course can enable students to extend their skills, knowledge, and perspective to provide them with opportunities for personal and career development.
Lincoln International Business School works with students and organisations to enhance the contribution of business to society. For students, that means developing their business skills and knowledge to improve their career readiness.The University of Lincoln is a member of AACSB, a global nonprofit association connecting educators, students, and businesses to achieve a common goal: to create the next generation of great leaders.
If you would like to find out more about this course, then our friendly Work Based Distance Learning Team are here to help. You can reach them by email at askwbdl@lincoln.ac.uk.
