Career Guidance and Coaching (Extended Degree) BA (Hons)
Subject to Validation

In this module you will explore concepts of becoming a professional working in public services . You will also engage with and understand the nature of, and challenges to, professional practice. You will also consider aspects of communication between professional groups focussing on such things as the use of “professional language” and professional/service user interactions. The aim of this module is to explore the potential and current issues in developing our own professional practice in health, social care, and education. This will include you considering examples of the historical development of current professions to understand their influence on collective and individual identities including issues of professional identity and professional socialisation. By engaging in exercises which encourage reflection on individual experiences and consider these in terms of concepts from the module and from our changing worlds. You will explore influencing factors such as political debates and agendas which influence the realities of professional working. We will explore how professions are perceived, expected, and enacted within society and how these are contrasted against our own interpretations of a professional identity and role. The impact and influence of ethical considerations on becoming a professional and professional practice will be explored.

This module is designed to develop critical thinking along with writing and analytical skills for University study. You will build the foundation of these skills to enable you to prepare for the challenges of studying in a University learning environment. It will equip you to learn how to manage your workload including how to read selectively, learn techniques for reading academic texts, understanding how to reference and make useful notes from sources.

Designed to support you to think critically and consider academic theory and how it informs practice, you will examine theory and practice- based public services Alongside this, you will work on the basic principles of writing academic work and explore academic language and how to understand it; explore the different styles and how to edit and proof-read your own work. A key academic focus on this module will be to understand the importance of research and evidence-based practice. You will develop an understanding of quantitative research and qualitative research. A quantitative method will allow you to test a hypothesis by systematically collecting and understanding data. Qualitative methods will allow you to explore ideas and experiences in depth.

Throughout the module, you will engage in a wide variety of learning activities to give you the opportunity to gain critical understanding of public service structures and processes. In addition, you will examine your own personal reflection of your learning and development using self-assessment tools.

This module is designed to meet the needs of public services students with differing experiences across a diverse range of speciality and subject-specific areas. It will equip you with the knowledge, understanding and insight into why it is important to value yourself, as an individual, and to value others. Throughout the module, you will engage in a wide variety of learning activities and critically examine aspects of valuing self and others related to personal development, communication and empathy, unconscious bias, health literacy and working in a public service setting as part of a team. Utilising a SMART model (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound), you will demonstrate an understanding of the pathway to becoming a professional and develop and design a pathway that illustrates your long-term goals.

In this module you will explore human development in the world, and how this relates to public services provision in contemporary society. This module explores development from infancy and toddlerhood, through childhood, adolescence, adulthood and finally death and dying. The module focuses on 3 core concepts in relation to human development – physical, cognitive and psychosocial. Arising from these core concepts is a further exploration of beliefs and behaviours and the impact on engagement with health, education and social care. You will use this understanding of development across the lifespan to inform your understanding of your chosen onward area of practice.

In this module you will explore communication skills within professional relationships. This module explores the various roles of professionals, semi-professionals, and non-professionals and how communication, both effective and ineffective, may impact their relationships and roles. This module also explores the role of multi-agency/disciplinary working, using real life situations to highlight the strengths and limitations of communications within partnership working. You will be supported to explore the holistic needs of a service user and concepts such as personalisation, empowerment, effective communication, equality and diversity, legislation in the context of practice. You will reflect upon your own personal experiences and personal values when considering the role and impact of professionals within society.

The structure of this module has been developed to support your learning journey in Higher Education. The focus of the group project (showcase presentation) will allow you to continue to cultivate your knowledge, skills and understanding of the essential academic components required for studying at Northumbria University. The design is student centred and has been developed to incorporate project work linked to the national agenda for public services. Under the guidance of the module team, you will negotiate a topic relevant to your planned onward undergraduate study field and be supported to identify specific learning opportunities. In order to promote your learning about the chosen subject area, you will review and evaluate your field of study.

Due to the student led nature of the module, sessions have been designed to provide learners with a platform to employ an independent approach to study. Students’ will be guided/directed to research, appraise and evaluate a chosen public services related topic, where they will be given the opportunity to analyse and present findings based on best evidence.

The module themes support and consolidate other Foundation Year modules, developing you towards a sound understanding of professionalism in relation to your onward choice of programme field.

The negotiated group project module will provide you with the opportunity to attend seminars, workshops and face to face sessions where you will be supported to explore and develop your independent learning. It is helpful to note that this module design moves away from the traditional taught lessons.


The group showcase presentation will be the culmination of the Foundation Year programme and will serve not only as an opportunity to demonstrate professional collaborative working through summative assessment, but also a celebratory event to acknowledge the learners journey in preparation for undergraduate study.