Certificate in Industrial Relations - Keele University

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Entrance requirements

This nine-month part-time course is aimed at women and men who are active in industrial relations. It is open to anyone with industrial relations experience, including those who have attended training programmes provided by their trade union or by the TUC. No formal qualifications are required, but all applicants are interviewed at Keele. The fee is £675, which includes distance learning materials and residential accommodation.

Course structure

The course is based on distance learning, using materials provided by the University. Particular attention is given to the development of study skills and essay writing techniques. It includes three residential weekends: the first is at the start of the course in September, followed by two others in January and April. It is suitable for adults in full-time employment and resident anywhere in Britain.

Course programme

The course takes a detailed look at the three main sets of industrial relations institutions: the trade unions, the employers, and the state. It builds on students' existing knowledge and experience to make a detailed analysis of collective bargaining.

Course materials cover a wide range of issues, including manual and non-manual employment in the public and private sectors in the following topic areas:

• Trade unions
  
  Trade unions and their members. Shop stewards and workplace union organization. Union membership participation and democracy.

• Work, management and employers
  
  Work and the labour process. Management of labour. Employers' associations, independents, and the CBI.

• Public policy on industrial relations
  
  The role of the State. The TUC and the Labour Party. Individual employment rights and collective labour law.

• Collective bargaining
  
  Collective bargaining in the public and private sectors. Payment systems, job evaluation, merit pay, performance-related pay. Industrial action.

• One of the following options:

1. Health and safety at work
2. Inequality at work
3. Dispute resolution

The Centre for Industrial Relations

The Centre is part of Keele University's Department of Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations. The Department has established a strong reputation for teaching and research, especially among practicing trade unionists and managers.

Distance learning at Keele University

The Certificate in Industrial Relations provides an access route into postgraduate study. Students gaining the Certificate may progress to the part-time distance learning MA courses, which last a further two years.

How to apply

For an application form, and for further details, contact the following:

• Mike Ironside
  Certificate Course Director
  Centre for Industrial Relations
  Keele University
  Keele
  Staffordshire
  ST5 5BG
  
  
• Tel. 01782 583396
  
  e-mail: ida09@keele.ac.uk
  
  website: www.keeleIR.org