The first group of students to complete a unique two-year degree in the construction and property sectors will graduate from the University of Salford this week
The two-year degrees that were launched Autumn 2016, are the only ones of their kind in the UK construction and property sectors.
Now, the first 20 students have finished their studies and are due to attend a ceremony at the University’s Peel Park Campus on Thursday.
Students on a accelerated degree pack all of the learning opportunities of a traditional three-year degree into a two years.
At the University of Salford, two-year degrees are available in quantity surveying, building surveying, property and real estate, construction project management and architectural design & technology.
Instead of extended breaks often found in traditional three-year degrees, students on an accelerated degree benefit from the same learning experience but study right through the calendar year.
Brodie McAdam, Director of Construction & Management at the School of the Built Environment, who was part of the team delivering the accelerated degree project, said:
“Our suite of study modes gives a great range of options to suit many different candidates. Students such as those who graduate this week can sign up to our two year accelerated full time degree and get started on their careers one year earlier.
“Others may prefer our standard three year degree, whereas those who are already in industry might be attracted by a choice of either a three-year accelerated or five-year traditional day release study pattern.
“This flexibility is really prized by students and our industry partners.”
And the results have shown that accelerated degrees are not putting students at a disadvantage in terms of results, with nearly half of this cohort achieving a First-Class Degree.
Students on the course cite ‘a quicker route to a job’ and the ‘lower fee burden’ as their top two reasons for choosing the accelerated route.
And the new degree formats have been warmly welcomed by employers looking for greater flexibility, both in recruiting graduates and in upskilling their own people.
Professor Hisham Elkadi, Dean of the School of the Built Environment at the University of Salford said: “The accelerated degrees have been a great success so far. They can work for students who want a quicker route to a career but also for business who want to upskill their staff. This is far more efficient for them as and means their key workers will be more productive more quickly. It’s a win-win all round.
