Whether you're seeking to enhance your career prospects or make strides within your current position, microcredentials can provide you with a valuable competitive edge. But what are microcredentials? How do they differ from short courses? Let's take a closer look at how microcredentials work and why they have become a popular choice for professional development.
What are Microcredentials?
Microcredentials offered by UTS Open are university-level courses designed to provide specialised knowledge in specific subjects. They normally last five to ten weeks (depending on the course) with about five to fifteen hours of weekly study. Microcredentials always include an assessment which is submitted for grading. Typically, there’ll be a combination of weekly self-study as well as face-to-face time, usually virtually, which is recorded in case you can’t attend or want to review later.
By successfully meeting the assessment requirements and learning outcomes of a microcredential course, you attain a UTS Microcredential Certificate and a Microcredential Digital Badge (applicable to course completions after 15 December 2023). Additionally, if you accept a place in an associated postgraduate degree at UTS you’ll be able to apply for recognition of prior learning for your microcredential achievements.
Short Courses vs. microcredentials - what's the difference?
Both short courses and microcredentials have a few things in common. They focus on subject matter designed to help you build critical skills that you can apply in a work context, either now or as part of your future career.
However, there are also some key differences between short courses and microcredentials. Microcredentials are aligned with award course subjects in UTS postgraduate degrees, meaning they can be used to count towards a postgraduate degree. Microcredentials also typically have a more rigorous assessment process than short courses and have a longer duration.
Benefits of microcredentials:
- Time efficiency: Microcredentials can be completed in a matter of weeks or months, compared to the years it takes to complete a full university degree.
- Industry relevance: Microcredentials are designed to meet the needs of specific industries, so you can be sure that you are learning the skills employers seek. In fact, Plus UTS works directly with organisations to develop microcredentials specifically for their employees.
- Employer recognition: Many employers now recognise the value of microcredentials, which are increasingly used to assess candidates for jobs.
What does a microcredential course entail?
These courses range from blended, self-study, to virtual and face-to-face interactions, allowing for flexibility and accommodating diverse schedules. Online microcredentials are highly interactive, incorporating various multimedia elements such as videos, quizzes, activities, and exercises. These elements foster engagement with the facilitator and create a collaborative learning environment with fellow participants.
Learn more:
As technologies and industries evolve rapidly, keeping up with the latest developments in your field is essential. With the same academic rigour and standards as UTS postgraduate degrees, our microcredentials are designed to be practical, industry-relevant, and forward-thinking. Microcredentials offer a pathway for professionals to gain specialised skills, stand out in the job market, and continuously adapt to the evolving demands of their industry.
If you're ready to grow your knowledge and expertise through university-level study, consider starting small and achieving big with a UTS Open microcredential. Open the doors to new opportunities and embark on a journey of professional development that will position you at the forefront of your field.
