Degree Apprenticeship in forensic road collision investigation
Introduction
The application process for the university to run the degree apprenticeship will begin shortly.
A degree apprenticeship gives the employer the ability to link a degree in forensic road collision investigation to an apprenticeship. This means that if your employer pays into the levy the fees are paid from the levy rather than directly by the employer. Note that the time limit for the apprenticeship is 3.5 years thus if you undertake the Apprenticeship you will have to study the degree full time, there are no part time options. If you are unable to commit to full time university studies, 32-36 hours of study each week for three years plus additional time at work to complete the apprenticeship, the apprenticeship programme is not for you. Instead consider taking a non apprenticeship route on a part time basis.
The BSc Honours in Forensic Road Collision Investigation will develop and deepen your knowledge in the science of collision investigation. As well as studying how to reconstruct collisions by applying Newtonian mechanics to a problem, you will study specific areas such as CCTV Analysis, Digital Data Analysis, Pedestrian Collision, Motorcycle Collisions and more. The program is run in a blended learning format with short residential study blocks during which there are plenty of practical field day, distance learning and project work.
The BSc (Hons) is offered in partnership with De Montfort University (DMU). As an associate college of the university and part of the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Media, AiTS provide the teaching and DMU provides the quality procedures and make the final award.
Key Features of this programme will include
Explores a wide range of collision investigation topics
On the job learning and block release to attend university
Develops your research skills
Gives you the opportunity to develop an independent piece of research
The details of the modules can be found here.
The first 60 credits ENGS1003 Collision Fundamentals and ENGS1002 Collision Case Studies look at the collision scene and collision scene recording whilst studying the mechanics of how to reconstruct a straight forward collision. More details on these modules can be found here.
The second 60 credits looks at further collision investigation techniques.
The concept of Driver Perception and Response ENGS1016, is an important feature of nearly all collisions and has implications for the point of actual and possible perception.
The analysis of CCTV for speed is covered in the second here, CCTV and dash cams capture so many collisions these days, the information that can be extracted from the footage is explored in detail, explore more by clicking on the module code ENGS1015.
Collision Investigators need to be able to identify vehicle defects and explain what, if any, effect they would have on the collision vehicle. The forensic vehicle examination module ENGS1017 develops the students knowledge of faults and the way they can be found.
ENGS1013 develops the students maths ready for the higher level courses.
Having accrued 120 level 4 credits you require an additional 120 credits at level 5 to gain the FdSc. There are a total of eight 15 credit modules starting with Further Maths ENGS2001. Advanced Damage Analysis ENGS2004 looks at the way in which speed can be established from the damage caused to a vehicle in a collision. Analysis of Digital Data now comprises of two 15 credit modules, ENGS2015 and Analysis of Digital Data (Onboard Systems) currently under development introduce the use of accelerometers and GPS and the way these devices are used in various vehicle systems from insurance black boxes to airbag units. We also look at digital tachograph data.
In the Motorcycle Collisions module ENGS2007 we look at motorcycle dynamics, sliding motorcycles and various methods of establishing speed from damage. In Pedestrian and Pedal Cycle Collisions ENGS2003 we look all aspects of the collision and the various methods of calculating speed from the distance a pedestrian or pedal cycle is projected. Computation and Collision Analysis ENGS2002 looks at other software solutions which can assist the collision investigator, principle Mathcad. Vehicle Dynamics and Tyre Technology ENGS2016 uses PC Crash to explore the effects of tyre and suspension modelling.
Having accrued 120 level 4 credits and 120 level 5 credits, you require an additional 120 credits at level 6 to gain the BSc(Hons)
The first module, Collision Analysis and Software ENGS3001explores some of the ways in which softwares and their computing power can be used for a variety of dynamic vehicle simulations including tyre modelling, suspension modelling and whole vehicle modelling and simulation.
Professional Development and Project Preparation ENGS3002 enables you to plan and conduct an academically-supervised work-based project that is relevant to collision investigation. In addition, students will develop their ability to reflect on the personal learning associated with the project.
The project ENGS3003, worth 60 credits will research and then propose and evaluate solutions to a specific issue relating to the area of Forensic Collision Investigation.
Age Restriction
Due to the potentially traumatic nature of the work, the minimum age for apprentices is 18, in line with the young person criteria under ‘Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999’.
Academic route
Entrants are required to have a minimum of 2 A levels at grade C or above; one of which should be in maths or a science, and 5 GCSE's at grade 4 or above (or equivalent) including English, Maths, and Science or suitable equivalent as BTECs.
Equivalence route
For those who do not meet the entry requirements we offer an equivalence route. Study and pass the UCPD to gain entry to the apprenticeship.
English and maths
Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For mature students the government lists acceptable alternative certificates further details are available here If you cannot find your certificate you will need to sit level 2 English and Maths.
Part time
There is no part time option for the degree apprenticeship.
Full time
You will have to complete your degree at the same rate as a student at a traditional university, for example in this case three years.
You will study 120 credits worth of study a year.
You'll need to find around 32-36 hours to study each week.
Your employer is required to let you study the apprenticeship in work time. That includes all the practical work and time you will need to do to complete your apprenticeship portfolio. It also means that the research for your project and the project itself will need to be completed in work time.
Your employer does not have to provide time for you to complete the degree thus unless your employer has agreed to let you study for your degree in work time, the number of hours you will need to study means giving up some of your own time and cutting down on some of your social activities, especially if you are studying full time. The OU provides some excellent advice on how to find time to study and the things you may have to consider moderating. There is an online planner which we strongly recommend you take a look at. Click the link to see more.
You will be asked to evidence where your study time will be coming from before being accepted on the programme.
A mix of on the job training and block release to university. For the apprenticeship you will complete a portfolio, a written examination and a 12 000 word project. You can also use the project as part of your BSc(Hons).
To complete your apprenticeship you will be questioned on your portfolio by an independent Assessor who will also mark your examination and project/project presentation.
Delivered using a mix of residential and distance learning. Term starts in September of each year and runs through to July for the three years of the Apprenticeship.
You cannot register for the apprenticeship at the moment
All programmes start in September of each year and run through to June/July the following year.
We allow provisional places to be booked by employers. A provisional place is one where you are unable to provide a student name because you have not completed your recruitment process.
To confirm a place simply provide a student name, date of birth and email address. Registration for all programmes closes at midday on the final Friday in July. Any provisional places that have not been confirmed with a name will be lost.
