Bournemouth & Poole College introduces new innovative way of part-time learning

The Bournemouth & Poole College is launching a new innovative way of learning through a partnership with Mindful Education to create a flexible way of providing its award-winning Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Level two Certificate course.

Launching at the College’s open event on Tuesday, November 14, the part-time course will consist of both online and on-campus learning which allows students to study alongside work and life commitments. This means students can attend a class on-campus once a week and carry out the rest of their learning at home to fit around their lifestyle.

Students now have the freedom to choose how, when and where they study due to a bespoke virtual learning environment which grants users 24 hour access. A team of academics will help students through the online classes, video lectures, and exercises, providing support on demand.  All course materials can then be revisited at any time to suit the student.  

Classes will then be held one evening a week at the College by experienced lecturers and will provide students with the opportunity to interact, discuss and debate with others on the course. It also means students can speak directly to lecturers who will be on hand to provide advice and guidance.

Carole Brown, business and finance learning manager at Bournemouth & Poole College, said: “We are incredibly excited to be launching this new and innovative way of learning. As one of the largest providers of AAT in the UK and an International Association of Bookkeepers Gold Centre award winner, we have a lot of experience in delivering these courses. We know from talking to our students that it can be difficult to fit studying around work and life commitments, so the online and on-campus approach is going to transform how we engage with our students and deliver our part-time AAT Level two Certificate course.

“This has all been made possible because of the fantastic virtual learning environment Mindful Education has created for the College. Already for 2018 Mindful has been shortlisted for three national awards such as ‘Start-up Learning Provider of the Year’ at the Learning Awards and ‘Higher/Further Education Digital Services’ award at the BETT Awards. Partnering with Mindful will therefore complement what we offer here at The College.

“The online resources will be available 24 hours a day and then during the on-campus classes, students will have access to our lecturers who all have a wealth of industry knowledge and experience. Overall students will receive an outstanding learning experience.”

Mark Mckenna, managing director of Mindful Education, added: “We are thrilled to partner with Bournemouth & Poole College to deliver their part-time AAT accounting programme in a blended format. Like us, the team at Bournemouth & Poole know first-hand the type of work and life commitments a part-time learner has to contend with on a daily basis and therefore how important flexibility is when it comes to their studies.

“By offering a blended format of study, learners will have at least 50 per cent less travel time and costs. Learners also won’t have to purchase any accountancy specific books for the course, which again will be a big cost saving. The intention is that the combination of high-quality online and on-campus learning will break down some important barriers for part-time learners and therefore widen access in the Bournemouth and Poole area. We’re enjoying working with the progressive team at Bournemouth & Poole College and we look forward to making the partnership a success for learners.”

The College is now accepting applications for the part-time AAT Level two Certificate course starting in January 2018. Please visit www.thecollege.co.uk/online-on-campus for more information.