Professional Pathway
The Professional Pathway (PP) scheme is an innovative mode of study, unique to the School of Informatics at City. It allows students to transfer to relevant four-day-a-week employment after a period of study and complete their degrees by a combination of day-release and e-learning. PP students do the same course content as full-time students, but over a longer period. They attend university one day a week for 45 weeks of the year. PP students generally attend lectures and other course components with full-time students.
There are three entry points for the scheme: after the first year of study; after the second year of study; after completing a one-year placement. The total time at university is four years, four years and five years respectively. For further details on PP entry points, see below
Joining the Professional Pathway scheme depends on satisfactory academic performance to date. The details of this are given by the students on a completed PP Application Form (available to SoI students via the student intranet). Approval for joining the scheme is at the discretion of the PP Mode Tutor.
Professional Pathway placements are for up to four days per week. Employers can opt to employ a PP student for a fixed period - typically 12 months - or they can benefit from the students' contribution on a continuing basis for the full three years of the programme and beyond. Some employers choose to start with a fixed-time placement and then convert it to continuing employment relationship once students have proved their value.
Professional Pathway Entry Points Explained:
PP Early Entry > complete 1 year full-time study > join PP and start working 4 days a week, studying 1 day > remaining 2 years of degree completed over a 3 year period > total degree length, 4 years.
PP Late Entry (option 1) > complete 2 years’ full-time study > join PP and start working 4 days a week, studying 1 day > remaining 1 year of degree completed over a 2 year period > total degree length, 4 years.
PP Late Entry (option 2) > complete 2 years’ full-time study > complete a 1 year full-time placement > join PP and start working 4 days a week, studying 1 day> remaining 1 year of degree completed over a 2 year period > total degree length, 5 years.
If you are a student who has been offered a PP placement, click here for details on how to transfer to placement.
If you are an employer interested in offering a Professional Pathway placement, please click here to see our guidance document.
Please click here for general information for employers.