Head Start - Online Study Skills

1. Head Start to University

For students beginning their undergraduate studies at Levels 3 or 4 (years 0 or 1) and for anyone who has been away from university study for a while. 

2. Head Start Plus

Students who are moving on to the second or third year of studies (Levels 5 and 6) or anyone joining the university at Level 6 for top-up or CPD courses. 

3. Head Start to Postgraduate Study

This course will be useful if you are beginning or returning to any postgraduate studies such as a PGCE or Masters degree. 

4. Head Start to Apprenticeships

This is a version of Head Start to University that includes specific information for apprentice students. Complete this version if you are embarking on a Degree Apprenticeship. 

5. Head Start Plus to Apprenticeships

This course is for students completing a higher level degree apprenticeship. These are usually students starting at Level 5 or 6 and includes courses like the Paramedic Practice Degree Apprenticeship.

6. Head Start to Postgraduate Apprenticeships

Head Start to Postgraduate Study with apprenticeship information added. This course is for students on a postgraduate degree apprenticeship.

7. Head Start HND to Degree (London top-ups)

This course is designed to help students transition from HND study to their degree top-up. At the moment this only relates to students on top-up courses on the London campus. 

8. Head Start to Policing (PCDA & DHEP)

These two courses are designed for students joining a Policing Apprenticeship. The courses will be made available to you in APTEM and you will be presented with the version that matches your main studies. These students are studying through the Policing Education Consortium.

Fully registered University of Cumbria students can now access the following courses directly within Blackboard:

• Head Start to University
• Head Start Plus
• Head Start to Postgraduate Study
• Head Start to Apprenticeships
• Head Start Plus to Apprenticeships
• Head Start to Postgraduate Apprenticeships
• Head Start HND to Degree (London)

These courses have been created as self-enrol and you will be presented with the self-enrol instructions when you arrive at the required course.

Access Head Start in Blackboard

1. Registered University of Cumbria students should login to the Student Hub and click on the Blackboard button.

2. Go to the Students tab at the top of the page.

3. Click on the correct version of Head Start for your studies and follow the self-enrol instructions:

Whenever you return to Blackboard your Head Start will appear in your list of current courses.

Head Start is an online course that helps you to transition to life at university. It is intended for students preparing for study at either Level 3 or Level 4 (year 0 or year 1) at the University of Cumbria, and is also open to anyone who is new to studying at university.

The course is split into 5 units:

1. Your Transition to University - Welcome to studying at university
2. Your Research Skills - Finding and evaluating quality information for assignments
3. Your Writing - Writing for higher education
4. Your Referencing - Crediting original authors for the evidence you cite
5. Your Digital Skills - Introduction to the basics of working with computers at university

These are supplemented by two short self-evaluation surveys and supporting resources.

At the end of Head Start you will have 5 Digital Badges and be presented with a Certificate of Completion that you can download/print as evidence that you have completed the course.

Accessing Head Start to University

Head Start to University is now available in two locations:

• Fully registered University of Cumbria students can access the full certificated course in Blackboard, using your normal university login. See Accessing Courses in Blackboard at the top of this page.
• Pre-registration, partnership and external students can access the course materials without certification (self-declaration of completion available) at https://my.cumbria.ac.uk/hs2u.

It is recommended that University of Cumbria students complete the full course within Blackboard.

Are you about to start a Level 5 or 6 course as either a standalone Continuing Professional Development (CPD) module or as a year 2 or 3 undegraduate student?  Head Start Plus is for you. The course includes information and guidance on:

1. Finding Information
2. Reading and Notetaking
3. Academic Writing
4. Structure and Editing
5. Reflective Practice
6. Referencing
7. Digital Capabilities

By completing Head Start Plus you will:

• prepare yourself for academic study at levels 5 or 6;
• understand the importance of finding, reading and referencing the right information;
• begin to develop your critical skills;
• gain the skills required to structure an academic assignment to best offer your argument and conclusion;
• discover and develop the digital skills required for your studies.

Accessing Head Start Plus

Head Start Plus is now available in two locations:

• Fully registered University of Cumbria students can access the full certificated course in Blackboard, using your normal university login. See Accessing Courses in Blackboard at the top of this page.
• Pre-registration, partnership and external students can access the course materials without certification (self-declaration of completion available) at https://my.cumbria.ac.uk/hsp.

It is recommended that University of Cumbria students complete the full course within Blackboard.

Usually students will have studied at undergraduate level before that; although for some it will be a while since any formal academic study has taken place or it may have been in a subject area where there is less emphasis on academic writing and research.

• prepare yourself for academic study at level 7;
• gain an understanding of the requirements of academic writing at postgraduate level;
• learn about reflexive practice and how it relates to your studies and learning;
• know how important it is to find and manage the right kind of literature for you work;
• understand the need to develop and apply your academic voice.

Accessing Head Start to Postgraduate Study

Head Start to Postgraduate Study is now available in two locations:

• Fully registered University of Cumbria students can access the NEW certificated course in Blackboard, using your normal university login. See Accessing Courses in Blackboard at the top of this page.
• Pre-registration, partnership and external students can access the course materials of this course without certification (self-declaration of completion available) at at https://my.cumbria.ac.uk/hs2pgs

It is recommended that University of Cumbria students complete the full course within Blackboard.

Eligibility to enrol on Head Start to Apprenticeships

This version of Head Start has been tailored towards students who are completing a Higher Level Apprenticeship or Degree Apprenticeship with the University of Cumbria. If this does not describe your course of study, then please scroll back up this page and see the instructions for Head Start.

About Head Start to Apprenticeships

Head Start to Apprenticeships supports the development of your academic skills and digital capabilities whilst helping to boost your confidence as you transition into academic study in a working environment.

This course is broken down into 6 main units:

1. Transition to University - Welcome to Higher Education at university
2. Off-the-job Training - What does and doesn't count
3. Research Skills - Finding and evaluating information
4. Writing in HE - Writing for higher education
5. Referencing - Crediting original authors for the evidence you cite
6. Digital Capabilities - Introduction to the basics of working with computers at university
i. You must also complete a short course on Linkedin Learning

Finishing each unit will generate a digital badge and a complete set of badges will result in a Certificate of Completion for Head Start to Apprenticeships.

Accessing Head Start to Apprenticeships

Head Start to Apprenticeships is now available in two locations:

• Fully registered University of Cumbria students can access the full certificated course in Blackboard, using your normal university login. See Accessing Courses in Blackboard at the top of this page.
• Pre-registration, partnership and external students can access the course materials without certification (self-declaration of completion available) at https://my.cumbria.ac.uk/hs2a.

It is recommended that University of Cumbria students complete the full course within Blackboard.

Head Start Plus to Apprenticeships is designed for students entering a Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) at level 5 or 6 of university study i.e. Paramedic Apprentices. The course combines elements of Head Start to Apprenticeships and Head Start Plus. The course includes information and guidance on:

1. Transition to Apprenticeships
2. Off-the-job Training
3. Finding Information
4. Reading and Notetaking
5. Academic Writing
6. Structure and Editing
7. Reflective Practice
8. Referencing
9. Digital Capabilities

By completing Head Start Plus to Apprenticeships you will:

• prepare yourself for work-based learning and understand the off-the-job training requirements;

• understand the importance of finding, reading and referencing the right information;

• begin to develop your critical skills;

• gain the skills required to structure an academic assignment to best offer your argument and conclusion;

• discover and develop the digital skills required for your studies.

Accessing Head Start Plus to Apprenticeships

Head Start Plus to Apprenticeships is available in two locations:

• Fully registered University of Cumbria students can access the full certificated course in Blackboard, using your normal university login. See Accessing Courses in Blackboard at the top of this page.
• Pre-registration, partnership and external students can access the course materials without certification (self-declaration of completion available) at https://my.cumbria.ac.uk/hsp2a.

It is recommended that University of Cumbria students complete the full course within Blackboard.

Usually students will have studied at undergraduate level before that; although for some it will be a while since any formal academic study has taken place or it may have been in a subject area where there is less emphasis on academic writing and research.

This course combines elements of Head Start to Apprenticeships and Head Start to Postgraduate Study to provide a tailored resource that will help to prepare you for your studies.

• prepare yourself for study through work on your apprenticeship;
• prepare yourself for academic study at level 7;
• gain an understanding of the requirements of academic writing at postgraduate level;
• learn about reflexive practice and how it relates to your studies and learning;
• know how important it is to find and manage the right kind of literature for you work;
• understand the need to develop and apply your academic voice.

Accessing Head Start to Postgraduate Apprenticeships

• Head Start to Postgraduate Apprenticeships is now available in two locations:

  • Fully registered University of Cumbria students can access the certificated course in Blackboard, using your normal university login. See Accessing Courses in Blackboard at the top of this page.
  • Pre-registration, partnership and external students can access the course materials of this course without certification (self-declaration of completion available) at https://my.cumbria.ac.uk/hs2pga 

Eligibility to enrol on Head Start to London (HND to Degree)

This version of Head Start has been tailored towards students who are moving from HND study to a degree top-tup and are completing their studies at our London campus.

If you are studying for a full 3 or 4 year degree, then please see Head Start to University.

If you are completing a Higher Level or Degree Apprenticeship, then please view Head Start to Apprenticeships

If none of these options describes your course or location of study, then please check the other versions of Head Start or drop us an email at head.start@cumbria.ac.uk for advice.

About Head Start to London (HND to Degree)

Head Start to London supports the development of your academic skills and digital capabilities whilst helping to boost your confidence as you transition into academic study at university.

This course is broken down into 5 main units:

1. Transition to University - Welcome to Higher Education at university
2. Research Skills - Finding and evaluating information
3. Writing in HE - Writing for higher education
4. Referencing - Crediting original authors for the evidence you cite
5. Digital Capabilities - Introduction to the basics of working with computers at university
i. You must also complete a short course on Linkedin Learning

Finishing each unit will generate a digital badge and a complete set of badges will result in a Certificate of Completion for Head Start to London.

Access Head Start HND to Degree (London)

1. Login to Blackboard
2. Select the Students tab (top right of your screen)
3. Click on the Head Start HND to Degree (London) button:
 
4. Follow the self-enrol instructions in the Blackboard site.

There are two separate courses for Policing students:

• Head Start to Policing is for Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) students
• Head Start to DHEP is for Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) students

These courses are now available in APTEM.

Further information is available here: Head Start to Policing