CPD at Newcastle

These definitions aim to provide a brief overview of some of the terms used on this site and are by no means exhaustive or complete, if you'd more information please contact Niall O'Loughlin.

 

Modes of Study

  • Full time: Typically you are expected to be on campus most days; it’s generally unsuitable for people in full time employment and/or with other significant commitments.
  • Part time – Face to face: Courses with fixed (though infrequent) study days at the University campus, this course type is generally suitable for those in full time employment or with significant other commitments.
  • Part time – E-learning: Courses without any physical attendance requirements, you study in your own time and at your own pace (subject to preset deadlines) and are further supported through the University’s online support.

Accreditation

  • Accredited: Unless otherwise stated, ‘accreditation’ refers to academic accreditation by Newcastle University ie that the course has specific learning outcomes to achieve (which are assessed).
    Some courses may be dual accredited, for example, by a professional body such as the ‘British Dental Association’, who can award CPD credits alongside the University qualification.
  • Unaccredited: Course where there is no assessment and, whilst the content may have been developed with the same academic rigor as accredited courses, the course has not been through the Universities Quality and assurance frameworks.
    A ‘Certificate of Completion’, which incorporates the name and logo of the University can be supplied on completion of the course stating the course title and number of CPD hours studied. This is normally sufficient for professional bodies as proof of CPD credit for their records.
  • Stand Alone Modules: This refers to modules that are taught independently and not as part of a programme of study. Very often these are modules that cover specific areas of curricula and are more useful for professional students as they concentrate on desired knowledge areas.
  • Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS): Credit accumulation is the process by which credits for standalone modules taken may be accumulated and then brought together to qualify the student for an Award (like a postgraduate diploma).
    Credit Transfer is the system which allows students to move between programmes and institutions, taking with them the credit earned on modules taken.