Part-time Certificate in Industrial Relations

This nine-month part-time course is aimed at adults in full-time employment and resident anywhere in Britain. It is particularly suitable for women and men who are active in industrial relations and related areas of work, 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 Certificate course is based on distance learning, using study materials provided by the University. Each student does five essays, which become progressively longer as the course proceeds. Particular attention is given to the development of study skills and writing techniques.

There are three short residential sessions at Keele: the first is at the start of the course in September, followed by two others in January and April.

The course takes a detailed look at the three main sets of institutions in industrial relations: the unions, the employers and the state, building on students' existing knowledge and experience. The study packs include examples from the private and public sectors of industry, manual and white-collar employment, and a variety of trade unions.
The final part of the course allows students to choose options to pursue specialist interests.

Students gaining the Certificate qualification may progress to the part-time distance learning MA course, which lasts a further two years.

Course structure

Part 1: Introduction to industrial relations

Approaches to the subject: the main actors

Part 2 : Trade unions

Trade unions and their members: Shop stewards and workplace union organisation: Union membership participation.

Part 3: Work, management & employers

Work & the labour process: Management of labour: Employers' organisations

Part 4: Public policy on industrial relations

The role of the state: the TUC & the Labour Party: Labour law

Part 5: Collective bargaining

Collective bargaining in the private and public sectors: Payment systems: Industrial action

Part 6:Options

Health & safety at work or Inequality at work, or Dispute resolution

Students are assessed solely by written essays. Each student does five essays, which become progressively longer as the course proceeds.

Students are provided with advice and support on the development of study skills and essay writing technique.