Enhance your DipHE qualification with The PGA and The University of the Highlands and Islands

Last summer The PGA awarded its first cohort of Scottish students their DipHE qualifications and subsequently welcomed them into Membership of the Association. These students were the first people to complete the programme through The PGA’s newly formed partnership with The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), based in Inverness and Dornoch. Both The PGA and the University are delighted to announce they are offering Members an opportunity to enhance the level of their existing qualification up to and including a full Honours degree through additional study.

Simon Hubbard, Head of the PGA Training Programme, explains more about this exciting opportunity…

The DipHE qualification was originally set-up in 2016 and allowed people living and working in Scotland the opportunity to take advantage of the Scottish Higher Education funding system.  Similarly, to those people who have previously gone through the Training Programme and studied the Foundation Degree (FdSc) course, DipHE students have effectively completed the first two years of a full-time degree course.

Success in achieving the academic qualification and ultimately becoming a PGA Member has deservedly been recognised throughout the industry. Member feedback has requested the opportunity to differentiate, specialise and for many Members working overseas, it is necessary to have a full degree when applying for work visas.  When we began the collaborative partnership with UHI there was always an intention to provide additional study opportunities, which we are now pleased to offer Members.

Unlike the Foundation Degree top-up, Members who have alternative qualifications and have not studied the DipHE will be eligible to apply for the UHI degree.  This means that people who have previously studied the FdSc or the PGA Diploma will also be eligible to apply.

There will be a few options for people who want to study, ranging from taking individual modules on a flexible part-time basis for CPD purposes, to studying full-time on the UHI Campus. You will need to complete six modules at level nine level to obtain a BA degree, with the option to continue to an Honours degree if required.  With different options available, Members can get the individual advice required on application.  For those people based in Scotland, fee grants may be available.

The modular make-up of the UHI degree programme means that applications can be made throughout the year, but it is normally expected that applicants will study from the start of an academic year each September.

Modules will be delivered online (unless the full-time on-campus option is taken) via UHI’s online learning platform and all modules are delivered exclusively by the UHI teaching team.

The modules covered and methods of assessment will all be explained in more detail during an online Open Day.  The date is shown in the table below. CLICK HERE to register your interest for the online Open Day.

CLICK HERE if you’d like to apply for a place on the degree straight away.

Current part-time online fee structure (per 20 credit module) for existing PGA Members:

Simon Hubbard commented: “This exciting announcement has been the culmination of nearly two years of work by colleagues from both The PGA and The University of the Highlands and Islands and with the FdSc top-up, expands the educational opportunities we are able to offer PGA Members who wish to add to their existing Higher Education qualification.”

Alan Fleming, PGA Advanced Professional and the lead for PGA programmes at The University of the Highlands and Islands, added: “I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to develop this opportunity for those already in the industry to undertake further academic studies, up to full honours level.

“This is another important development of the partnership between the university and The PGA, building on the existing opportunities and allowing those who wish to continue their academic development, to do so. The golf curriculum at the university is evolving and growing both on campus and digitally, including new postgraduate content. Our partnership with the PGA is a key aspect of this growth.”

At a glance:

Open Day session

• Categories:
• Members