Diploma Course – Frequently Asked Questions

The list of questions that follows is not necessarily exhaustive and some of the answers may change as we develop the accreditation processes with Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU). If you have any questions that are not answered here please contact Mike Hill (education@railwayoperators.org) who will be pleased to help you.

1. When will the course start?
The next accredited courses will start in October 2008.

2. What is the enrolment process?
When your application has been received you will be contacted by a course mentor or local area representative to make sure you understand the work involved and the time it will take.

The general principle that the Glasgow Caledonian University applies to any applicant to a programme of study is that they may be admitted if there is a reasonable expectation that they will be able to fulfil the objectives of the programme and achieve the standard required for the award.

Generally this means that students applying for the Diploma Course (which if satisfactorily completed, also qualifies you for Associate membership of the Institution) are expected to have one of the following:
• 2 GCE A level passes plus 2 GCSEs at Grade C (or above)
• 5 passes in the Scottish Certificate of Education of which 2 are at Advanced Higher level
• Cert. HE or HNC, or equivalent.

However, Glasgow Caledonian University will also consider non-standard qualifications or Recognition of Prior Learning as equivalent to the above as long as these can be evidenced.

Further details are shown on both GCU and IRO web sites.

However, if the University is satisfied that the applicant has fulfilled some of the progression and attainment requirements of the programme by means other than attendance on the joint GCU/IRO programme and has a reasonable expectation of being able to complete the remaining requirements to fulfil the objectives of the programme and attain the standard required for the award, that student may be admitted to the diploma level of the programme only and allowed to progress, on condition that he or she has been interviewed by staff of the university and successfully completes the first module of the programme in Personal and Professional Development. The student may also have to complete a reflective practice report to demonstrate what and how non-accredited learning has taken place.

Please note that you may not use credits that have already been used to enable you to gain another qualification.

When you have been accepted as a student of GCU, and when the course fee has been paid you will be sent full details of the course. This will be on-line web based using the Glasgow Caledonian Blackboard system.You will also receive an authority to use the academic and social facilities at Glasgow Caledonian University, which requires you to submit a passport size photograph.


3. How long will the course last?
The course usually takes between 2 and 3 years , but if you find it difficult to complete the course within this timescale, you may take longer but only if you have proven extenuating circumstances which are accepted by the GCU and the IRO.

Pressure of work is NOT an excuse acceptable to either GCU or IRO as the course is designed to be undertaken in your own time. You will be made fully aware of this at your pre - enrolment discussion.

You will normally be expected to complete a module within 12 weeks.


4. What if I am late submitting work?
Unless you have a valid reason acceptable to IRO/GCU late submission of work may lead to a zero mark and a resit of the work involved. Pressure of work is not an acceptable reason for late submission of work. Full details are shown in the following extract from the GCU Regulations.

General Marking Criteria: An aggregate mark of 40 must be achieved in each module and a minimum mark of 35 is required for each separate part of the assessment. All assignments must be submitted by the specified deadline. Penalties may arise from failure to meet the submission dates for coursework, without good cause.

i) Failure by a student to meet any given submission deadline without good cause will normally result in a mark of zero for the piece of work concerned. Where a student fails to submit a piece of coursework which the module descriptor has stipulated as essential then the student will be deemed to have failed the module (see also 6.12).

ii) Where a student has good cause for a late submission and intimates this in advance of the submission deadline, a later submission date should normally be negotiated. Where appropriate, documentary evidence should be sought to support the claim. In the circumstances outlined in this paragraph, maximum marks will be available. (It would be expected that this regulation would apply in cases such as the following: serious domestic or personal problems or attendance at the hospital, court of law or funeral).

iii) Where a student has good cause for late submission that they are unable, or for valid reasons, unwilling to divulge in advance, then it is normally expected that notification of the good cause should be given no later than 10 working days after the submission deadline. A later submission date should normally be negotiated. Where appropriate, documentary evidence should be sought to support the claim. In the circumstances outlined in this paragraph, maximum marks will be available. (It would be expected that this regulation would apply in cases such as the following: illness of the candidate or unforeseen personal or domestic problems.)

(Appendices to University Regulations and Assessment and Graduation Process, October 2004:24)


5. How does the course work?
It is a distance-learning programme of 8 modules. You will be given on-line access to GCU through the on-line learning environment named Blackboard. This provides the IRO modules and an on-line chat room facility between tutors and other students. You should also carefully read the Student Study Guide available from the IRO website.

The modules are:
1. Personal and Professional Development
2. Railway Operating Principles
3. Customer Service
4. Managing People
5. Train Planning and Performance Management Part 1
6. Safety Law and Management Part 1
7. Railway Business Organisation
8. Integrated Workplace Module

Many of you may need the detailed syllabus to discuss with your immediate manager. The detailed syllabus for each module is:

Personal and Professional Development
• PPD will help you develop reflective practice and plan your learning

Railway Operating Principles
• Introduction
• Why railways exist and the role of the railway operator
• The priorities of safety, efficiency and economy in railway operating
• Working of single, double and multiple track railways
• Train and traffic movement
• Planned and emergency working
• The need for and structure of Rules, Regulations and Instructions, including operating publications and notices
• Principles and Practices
• Operating safety principles
• Signalling/ types of systems, equipment and methods of working; basic signalling principles; pathing and regulation
• Track/ types, layout, structures, rail-wheel interface
• Train Driving/ traction and route knowledge; train handling
• Train Working/ shunting and marshalling, Dangerous Goods
• Station, Yard and Terminal working
• Planned and emergency Engineering Work
• Accidents and Incidents
• Safety of operations in adverse or degraded conditions
• Communications systems and standards
• Operating safety standards – achieving, maintaining and improving them

Customer Service
• What is customer service – an in-depth investigation into the four passenger elements of journey planning (including initial enquiry), on station, on train and after sales
• How are the different needs of customers met, on all types of systems - Heavy Rail, Metro, Underground, Light Rail - the mixture of long and short distance, as well as the needs of business travellers, commuters, leisure travellers, freight, mail and parcels customers
• What level of service do customers get? How is it measured and an introduction into methods of analysing the gaps?
• Managing, training and motivating customer service staff
• How other organisations deliver customer service
• What is a secure environment? Managing passenger safety, including crowd control and emergency evacuation

A part of this module will be a project involving the identification of areas for improvement and/or development.

Managing People
• Principles of managing people
• The world of Industrial Relations
• Training, Education, Competence and Qualifications, Understanding organisations and management styles
• Introduction to people management techniques and issues, with particular emphasis on principles of rostering for shift work, Company/Trade Union and local agreements, differences and similarities in the management of different grade groups (e.g. drivers, signallers)
• Introduction to the management of change
• Making teams work. The advantages and disadvantages of teams. The role of team leaders
• Measurement, including methods of assessing performance
• Understanding the relationship between HR and Line Management

Train Planning and Performance Management - Part 1
• Types of train and traction
• Track Capacity
• Timetable construction
• Long term and short term planning
• Scheduling people and equipment
• Planning for reliability
• Controlling in real time
• External and internal targets
• Measurement and improvement

Safety Law and Management Part 1
• History of Railway Law
• Introduction to Health and Safety Law, including Fire and First Aid
• Structure of current Law relating to operation of the railway
• The safety responsibilities of railway operating management
• Principles of Check and Audit
• Introduction to Railway Safety Cases
• Principles of Risk Assessment
• Introduction to Railway Group Standards
• The relationship between Licensing and Safety Legislation

Railway Business Organisation
• The history and structure of the railway industry, covering heavy and light rail, Metro and Underground railway companies
• The principles of the Railways Act 1993 (including open access)
• The role and responsibilities of Network Rail, Train Operating Companies, Infrastructure Maintenance and Renewal Companies and rolling stock leasing companies.
• The role and responsibilities of London Underground
• The role of the Office of the Rail Regulator, DfT and ATOC
• The role and responsibilities of metro and light rail operators

Integrated Workplace Module
• This module takes the form of a project that will be jointly set by your employing company, GCU and the IRO. Your work will have to demonstrate that you have understood each module in the programme and can draw together what you have learned from some or all of them during the period of the course.

Please note that all modules are copyright and may NOT be passed to a third party.


6. What are the exam dates?
There is no formal examination. Work is continuously assessed and marked in accordance with academic requirements. Course work is based on worksheets, essay answers to set questions, case study analysis and project work. At the end of the course, a final assessment panel will be held to enable the student to present results from their studies. Successful completion will lead to the award of a Diploma by Glasgow Caledonian University and Associate status of the IRO.


7. How much work is there?
The work you will have to do will very much depend on your existing knowledge and experience. For this reason we cannot say with any precision the number of hours you will require to study. It is however vital that your domestic, personal and work circumstances enable you to devote time to regular planned study periods.

You will also be required to read recommended books and reports, which may mean buying them, or borrowing from a library. In some cases, they will need to be ordered in advance from the library. You may be able to obtain support from your employer to purchase some of the supporting reading material.

You must remember and understand that the work on the course has not been structured to be done in working hours therefore you must find time in your personal life.


8. How are my problems answered?
Each module will have a Tutor who will mark and assess your work. Your tutor will also be your contact for problems with your study of that module. It is essential therefore that you complete the formative questions first and use the tutor feedback to answer the summative questions. There will also be a Course Mentor to provide supplementary help on a more informal basis. GCU will also provide tutors – these tutors will take a lead role in the first and last modules.

All tutors are approved by GCU.


9. What is my Line Manager’s involvement?
You should make sure that your immediate Manager knows you are taking this course. You will need to discuss any potential problems and ask your Manager to sign part B of the application form to confirm you will receive support from your employer. If you do not have a PC at home, seek permission for occasional use of a PC at work to browse the Internet or prepare answers.

You may need to seek release, or be granted leave, to attend the launch day, time to attend study events, and a day to attend the Assessment Panel interview. You may also need help with travel facilities.

Also do not forget that your line manager, if your company is sponsoring you, will be actively involved (with GCU/IRO) in setting and reviewing your final project. if you fail to adhere to your work plan and fall behind your line manager will be advised.


10. What are tutorials?
At the start of each module a tutorial will be held to introduce that module. These will normally be held on a Saturday between 10:00 and 15:00 at a location convenient to most students. This is your opportunity to meet the tutors and understand what is required of you.


11. Must I be a member of the Institution to take this course?
You can only access the course through the Institution of Railway Operators. You must be an Affiliate or Associate Member of the Institution and need your membership number to apply. Please note especially that even if your employer is a corporate member of the Institution you must still apply for individual membership. This is easiest via “Membership” section on this website. Applications received without your membership number cannot be processed. You will also need to satisfy Glasgow Caledonian University’s entry requirements.


12. How much will it cost?
Course fees for 2008 are £4,000.


13. How do I pay?
You may either:
• Send a cheque made payable to the Institution of Railway Operators for the correct fee, or
• You must organise and attach a purchase order (or equivalent) to your application form to enable the Institution to raise a payment invoice.

This is very important, as without a cheque or a purchase order, you cannot start the course. Please note that we cannot accept purchase order numbers or credit cards. We can only accept cheques or the actual purchase order itself.

It is in your interest to arrange this as soon as possible. If you or your company pay by cheque you can start as soon as the cheque is cleared. If you pay by the purchase order method you will be started as soon as our invoice has been paid. Please note that this often takes 4 months, sometimes longer.

If the correct fee has not been paid into our bank account 2 weeks before the launch day we may not allow you to start the course.


14. What happens next?
You should use the link on the website to print off an application form for the course. You must print this and sign it in ink.

Please make sure that your local manager has signed part B if you are receiving corporate sponsorship. Please note that forms returned by E Mail without a signature or scanned documents are not acceptable. This form cannot be faxed either. Remember to attach the cheque or complete the employer's payment section.

You should also complete the Glasgow Caledonian University application form which must be returned to our Programme Administrator, Mike Hill, with the application form and not returned to Glasgow as shown on their form. You must attach your CV as well. It is very important to state every educational qualification and course attended on the Glasgow form, including your IRO membership grade. Glasgow Caledonian University will only process application forms completed in block capitals (email addresses excepted) and in black ink.

All applicants will be advised whether they have been accepted or not. Confirmation of acceptance will be a completed Part C.

Please remember that until you are accepted as a student of GCU, you cannot begin the course.


15. Are there any exemptions (through Recognition of Prior Learning)?
There are no set procedures in place for the recognition of prior learning, but individual applications will be considered on merit by Glasgow Caledonian University


16. Is there a certificate if I pass?
You will be awarded a Diploma in Higher Education by Glasgow Caledonian University. You will also be granted Associate membership status of the IRO.


17. Is there an age limit?
Yes, you must be 21 years old to satisfy University regulations.


18. Who administers the programme on a daily basis?
Mike Hill
Education Programme Administrator
Institution of Railway Operators
education@railwayoperators.org

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