Studying at Keele

CHALLENGING, rewarding and satisfying is how RMT members have described the experience of studying industrial relations. The Centre for Industrial Relations at Keele has its roots in adult education and has been operating for over 15 years. It is dedicated to the widest possible access for potential students and was pursuing the system of life-long learning long before the term became popular. It is one of the main providers of industrial relations courses and research in the UK with over 250 full-time undergraduates and over 100 part- and full-time postgraduates. Most of the students on the part-time programmes have a practical knowledge of industrial relations and are drawn from a wide range of institutions such as ACAS, trade unions, public and private sector organisations. Chester RMT branch secretary John Wittingham took up the Keele challenge after receiving a union circular on the subject. “After a lot of studying and writing four essays and a dissertation on health and safety issues I can categorically state that I feel for more confident and knowledgeable in industrial relations matters than I did before doing the course,” he said. He said that although there was a lot of reading, writing and discussion group work, the Keele tutors were always on hand to guide students through the course. “With help from my partner Ann and the union I attained the grades and I have now received my much-valued certificate,” John proudly said. London Underground RMT member Doug Hammersley also took up the course and found it of enormous benefit in the workplace. “There is no doubt it puts you on a more equal footing with management and you become aware just how ill-informed some managers are of basic rules of industrial relations,” he said. How does distance learning work? Distance learning is designed to support students for whom traditional full-time residential courses are inappropriate. Keele students study at home, using study packs provided by the centre, and supported by short periods (typically three days) of residential study at Keele. The key points of support are: G Tutor notes, written by centre tutors, to guide you through the reading needed G Study packs compiled by the centre which provide up to 80 per cent of study material G A personal tutor to discuss work plans and progress, and to give feedback on assignments G Residential schools where you will attend lectures, see your tutor, and meet fellow students G There are four residential periods in each of the two years of study for the Diploma and MA programmes What will it cost? Fees for courses are set annually. They are set at a level to encourage access by working people. Some trade unions have special arrangements. Fees may be paid by installments. For current details please contact the Department, or go to our website at www.KeeleIR.org and follow links to the relevant department pages. Any member who wishes to find out more should contact the RMT education section at Unity House. Getting equipped to represent workers 27 RMT members regularly take the plunge and enrol in long distance courses at Keele in order to equip themselves to represent people at work REWARDING: John Whittingham found Keele a rewarding challenge ENLIGHTENING: Doug Hammersley found the course an eyeopener