Professional Studies

Designed with mature students in mind, Professional Studies is for you if you are wanting to study a wide range of topics relevant to your life experiences. Taught by the University's Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC), you'll gain a qualification grounded in the skills that employers value in professional roles today.

This unique and interdisciplinary course is particularly relevant if you can bring prior work and life experience to your studies. There'll be opportunities for you to gain further experience, learning from and undertaking research for local organisations and employers, as well as investigating areas of your own interest.

The course explores key contemporary issues relevant to a wide range of professional roles such as globalisation, diversity, health, creativity, leadership and technology. It also offers a set of modules to help develop your own professional identity, while learning about the world of work. You'll gain the exciting opportunity to personalise your degree based on your own experience, skills and interests by choosing a third of your degree from our specialised pathways, or from a wide range of elective modules.

The course content is developed to help you further your adaptability and effectiveness in the fast-changing world of work. It encompasses professional and project strands which focus on skills relevant to a wide range of careers.

The course provides a breadth of experience and can be studied either part-time or full-time.

Additional highlights The degree is enriched throughout, bringing in guest speakers from local organisations and through maintaining contact with graduates so you can benefit from learning from alumni about their personal and professional development experience since completing the degree.

You'll also have the unique opportunity to take part in the ‘research in the community’ project, which involves undertaking research for local organisations who have identified a research need.

For a third of the degree, you'll be able to choose your own modules, from specialisms within the Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC), or from the rich and wide-ranging choice of discovery modules from across the University of Leeds. You can also extend your degree by undertaking a work placement year: Year in Industry, Year in Enterprise, or by studying abroad.

*Lifelong Learning Centre Support The course allows you to fit study alongside your work and family commitments. You’ll be taught by friendly and supportive staff, experienced in working with adult learners and with substantial professional experience. You’ll also become a part of the Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC) community.

We know that many mature and part-time students face unique challenges, including balancing academic study with family and employment commitments. For that reason, the LLC provides specialised guidance, advice and support to mature and part-time students, from pre-application through to graduation and beyond.

Specialist facilities As well as having access to the four specialist research and student libraries on campus, you'll be able to undertake work and meet with fellow students in the Lifelong Learning Centre's Learning Resource Area. As an LLC student, you’ll have access to dedicated study and social spaces that are designed to be welcoming and accessible. The areas in Beech Grove House and the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Building offer computer access, reference books and the space to socialise and work with your peers.

You can also undertake research in the University Archive and Special Collections, as well as the M&S Company Archive, which includes documents, film, advertising and merchandise from throughout Marks and Spencer’s history. This offers a unique insight into the history of advertising, branding and the social history associated with the famous Leeds institution.