QUALIFICATION KLC Graduate Diploma validated by the University of Brighton (subject to validation in March 2010) OBJECTIVE Aimed at students who have completed the KLC Certificate in Interior Decoration (full-time or part-time) and would like to study further to gain the KLC Graduate Diploma Qualification DURATION 5 terms through a combination of courses at the college and distance learning (15 hours study at home per week on average)

There has been a great deal of demand recently from our Certificate Graduates for an advanced training course so that they can continue their studies and attain the KLC Professional Diploma. We are therefore delighted to offer a select few graduates the opportunity of joining our Blended Learning Course and achieving this.

Students would join the existing Blended Learning Course (as these students start their third term of studies).  Students should then allow 15 hours study at home per week on average.

	All the exercises are extremely helpful. The course itself is very well planned.  The folder is professional, inspiring, well-written and visually creative. Joining KLC for many of us has been well worth the money and we feel proud to be on this course.
	Blended Learning students from Nash Group 2008

During the course, students work from a combination of printed and on-line material that cover every aspect of interior design, backed up with the help and support of KLC’s tutor team. The printed course material is presented in an elegant designers' study folder. Fully illustrated and in colour throughout, the modules are inspirational and written in a very user-friendly style.

Certain sections of the course will steer students to the KLC website, where additional study information, exercise sheets and special updates can be found. The student support section of the website also acts as a platform for further research and allows interaction with other students, as well as access to your own personal records.

Regular online tutorials (about one per term) will be held with a KLC tutor in a virtual classroom. These online tutorials will be given on specific subjects with a live video link to the tutor, course notes and powerpoint presentations.

Students are overseen by their course tutor, who will be a mentor and monitor progress from day one through to graduation. The course tutor contacts students by telephone once a term to discuss progress. KLC Staff are also available to rapidly respond to any course queries by phone, fax or e-mail.

It is also compulsory to attend a set number of workshops held at KLC’s Studios (timetable below). On these days there are also ½ hour one-to-one tutorials, which allow detailed feedback on project work and invaluable preparation for future assignments.

The course culminates in a one week course that includes three days of examinations.

This "blended learning" method of study affords students the flexibility of studying from home, but with the support and structured programme of an on-site course and will for the first time enable KLC Certificate Graduates to study further and gain the KLC Professional Diploma.

Course Requirements
Students are required to have a laptop computer, access to a colour printer and a broadband internet connection for this course.

Entry Requirements
This course is only open to KLC Certificate Graduates who have achieved a good standard in academic achievement and professionalism. Enrolment is subject to interview and, as there are only a few places available, we operate on a strictly "first come first served" basis.

Students on KLC’s Diploma level courses are expected to use computers during their studies. These will be used for producing presentational material and for CAD and presentation software training. Important information relating to the course is sometimes communicated via email. For this reason, students should ensure that they are familiar with the general operation and use of computers (for example, they should be able to confidently create, amend, save and distribute documents, and use email) before starting their course. Prior experience in using either PCs or Macs will be equally helpful, although we recommend that students use a PC Computer whilst studying on the course rather than a MAC.  We have found in previous years that students with MACs experience more connectivity and networking issues when using Adobe Connect (for our online support services), VectorWorks and the KLC Wireless Network.

To Apply
To arrange an interview for this course, please contact us as soon as possible on 020 7376 3377 or e-mail info@klc.co.uk.

Subject to validation in March 2010, with effect from the 2010/2011 academic year, KLC students graduating from both the Full-Time Graduate Diploma in Interior Design and the Blended Learning Graduate Diploma in Interior Design will receive a KLC Graduate Diploma Qualification validated by the University of Brighton.

The validation process requires a rigorous assessment of all aspects of the school and has already resulted in some exciting and innovative updates to the training we provide.  We are looking forward to developing the partnership with the University of Brighton further and are very excited about the possibility of offering our students this prestigious external recognition of our qualification.

What Is The Benefit Of This Validation?

There are many benefits to our students for having this validation in place:-

• The KLC Graduate Diploma Qualification will be clearly benchmarked on the QAA HE Level Framework giving it international recognition, thereby making it easier for graduates to join regional professional associations and increases employment opportunities worldwide
• It will allow opportunities for exploring further flexibility in methods of study, by opening up different progression routes to the Graduate Diploma Qualification
• This external validation will enable KLC to continue to operate as a Tier 4 Licence Sponsor (we have been awarded an “A” rating) and issue study visas to overseas students for successful applicants on the Full-Time Graduate Diploma in Interior Design
• It will provide an opportunity for KLC Students to access a variety of research facilities and activities at the University of Brighton 
• Graduates will gain credit points that can be transferred to other courses nationally and internationally 
• Graduates of the Graduate Diploma will have an opportunity to continue their study or research further by applying to progress to one of the MA Level Qualifications through the University of Brighton

Explanation of KLC Graduate Diploma Qualification

A Graduate Diploma is a qualification that is specifically designated for vocational training courses and therefore fits appropriately with our career focused courses. It is awarded by the University of Brighton and is attainable in 9 months full-time study (or 28 months by blended learning study). Once a student gains the Graduate Diploma, they will be in a strong position to find employment in the industry anywhere in the world. Alternatively, students can opt to study further and apply for an MA programme either through the University of Brighton, which offers a range of challenging and inspirational MA Courses, or elsewhere.

We Are Proud To Be Partnered With The University of Brighton

The University of Brighton has long been established as a centre of excellence for art and design studies – the School of Arts was established in 1859.  The Faculty of Arts now fosters and develops research within and across its wide range of disciplines.  It is home to a number of significant collections and archives, including the Design Archives which comprise eighteen collections that amount to almost 1000 linear metres of visual and textual documentation.

Brighton University is the lead partner in The Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning through Design (CETLD), which is a HEFCE-funded partnership between the Royal College of Art, the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Victoria & Albert Museum and themselves.  The aim of the Centre is to enhance learning and teaching in design through research that brings together resources and expertise from Higher Education and collections-based partners.

The University of Brighton does not simply look to validate courses, but looks to forge partnerships and there is great potential to further expand opportunities within the subject area of Design for both students and the respective institutions.  We are very proud to be associated with the University of Brighton and greatly look forward to successfully developing this relationship in the future.

Timetable for Courses at the College

Dates to be confirmed.
Workshops are subject to change.

One Day Revision course at KLC

One Week Intermediary Course

• Computer Aided Design (VectorWorks)
• Perspectives
• Colour Rendering

Saturday Workshops

• Project Workshop – focusing on Detailed Working Drawings
• 2 Point Perspectives
• Project Worksop – focusing on verbal presentation

Weekday Workshops (1 Day)

• Project Workshop – focusing on Accessories
• Presentation Skills

One Week Final Course

• Revision Sessions
• 3 Days of Exams
• Presentation of final project
• Careers advice and portfolio surgery
  

 

 

KLC has developed a unique support system for our blended learning students to ensure students achieve their goals:-