By: Claire Wilson BSc. Last Updated: March 2024

When we designed our degree, we designed it specifically for mature students.

All the features that we deliberately considered and put in place as a result of this, make it an ideal choice for retirees.

So whether you’re looking to keep your mind active by learning something new, want to finally get a BSc (Hons) degree or simply have a love of learning, this could be just what you’re looking for.

Let’s take a look at some of the key things that make this a uniquely interesting option for retirees…

First and foremost, our full degree programme is delivered entirely online.

There are no in-person commitments throughout the whole programme (although you will be invited to attend an in-person graduation ceremony at University of South Wales and it’s completely up to you if you want to attend).

This means it’s accessible to you wherever you are – as long as you have access to the internet.

You can study all the way to a degree from the comfort of your own home.

And you only need very basic technology skills to be able to participate:

• You need to be confident in accessing a website – we’ll give you the direct link you need
• You need to be confident in sending and receiving emails
• You need to be able to play/pause a video (in exactly the same way you would on Facebook or YouTube)
• You need to be confident in using a word processing program like microsoft word, apple pages, or google docs to complete your assignments

That’s it!

“I found the course was run very professionally. The course notes and videos supplied were excellent, the notes tied in very efficiently and accurately with the videos. Highly recommended to anyone.”

– Mihaela Olariu, GetReskilled alumni

This is a part-time course.

Standard study pace is around 15 hours per week. At this pace, you’ll complete your BSc (Hons) degree in just 4 years.

BUT… (and here’s where we’re really different)… you can control that pace of study.

At the start of first year, you’ll work closely with your Course Coordinator to put together your academic schedule for the year.

There’s only one module in that year that has to be taken during specific weeks and completed at the standard class pace (approx 15 hours per week).

Aside from that, you have total flexibility to fit the other modules into the year in a way that works for you.

Even once that planning is complete, if you have more time in your week, you can choose to have more coursework released.

And if you don’t quite have that amount of free time and are looking for a slightly slower pace, you can discuss this with your course coordinator and receive new coursework less frequently.

This can also be particularly helpful if you travel – you only ever have to let your course coordinator know when you’re unavailable for study and we’ll not release coursework during that time.

As a result, you’re never left feeling like you’re “falling behind”, the course moves at a pace that’s comfortable for you.

GetReskilled is a wholly online course provider.

The University of South Wales (USW) is a brick-and-mortar university in Cardiff, Wales.

By working together on this programme we are able to offer mature students something really special…

The convenience and flexibility that comes with online distance learning alongside the confidence and security that comes with a degree from a brick-and-mortar university.

This kind of partnership isn’t something you’ll see very often but we (and our students!) love it!

Adding routine and schedule is often highlighted as a benefit of courses for retirees. Now imagine that you could pick exactly what you wanted that routine and schedule to look like…

We already told you that you can study anywhere you have an internet connection but it’s important to note that the whole programme is also entirely asynchronous (which is just a fancy way of saying you can study when and where you want).

There are no fixed class times and no zoom webinars.

You’ll have a week’s worth of work released to you at one time (depending on the pace you’ve agreed with your course coordinator) and all your course materials are available 24/7.

This is ideal for people who want more control over their schedules…

Perhaps you still like waking up early in the morning and want to make use of that time to study.

Perhaps you help your family with childcare so need to study around times already committed to that.

Perhaps you particularly enjoy learning new things in the evening – you absolutely can.

Whatever your preferences, this fully flexible approach means it’s possible.

“The online structure suited me perfectly as well as being able to work on it from home and in my own time.”

– Regina Heaphy, GetReskilled alumni

We know you have lots of other things going on in your week so we split up our subjects into small, manageable pieces.

Rather than hour-long videos and chapters of reading, you’ll be given several “topics” each week.

Each topic contains a short (5-10 minute) video with a set of notes that supplements that learning. Even where the information in a topic needs a longer video, you’ll find it presented as multiple short videos.

You’ll complete problem-solving exercises and examples or case studies to give you a well-rounded learning experience and make sure you really understand the teaching points.

So you don’t need to find hours of consecutive free time. You can make the most of even the smallest window of available time in your week and make steady progress towards your goal instead.

“GetReskilled is an excellent service… The program is broken down into manageable units, the time allocated for each module is generous, the coordinators are very knowledgeable and willing to help. No problem or question is too big or too small.”

– Patrick Coleman, GetReskilled alumni

We pride ourselves on knowing each and every student by name. We only take on a limited number of students each year so that we can maintain this level of personal connection.

From the time you’re enrolled, we’ll assign you a Course Coordinator who’ll work closely with you throughout your studies.

They’ll be your single point of contact for any questions about the course so you’ll never be sitting wondering where to direct your queries.

They’ll also check in with your course progress every week.

When things are going well, they’ll notice. They’ll acknowledge the work and effort you’re putting in, and remind you how it’s paying off.

And if it ever looks like you’re starting to fall behind in your studies, they’ll be right there to help you put plans in place to get back on track.

They’re there to be your study cheerleader or personal trainer, whichever you happen to need in any given week!

So you’re never alone, there’s someone right there sharing your journey.

It’s a unique system and we believe it’s core to our students’ success. It’s a level of support that could never be offered in traditional universities and one that our previous mature students have really appreciated.

“The course coordinators are very active, flexible and interactive in answering any query.”

– Philbert Nshimiyimana, GetReskilled alumni

Our BSc (Hons) degree has designated “lock in” points at the end of year one and year two.

At the end of year one you’ll be awarded a University Certificate in Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Product Manufacturing from the University of South Wales. You’ll then be eligible to move on to year two.

At the end of year two you’ll be awarded a University Higher Certificate in Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Product Manufacturing from the University of South Wales. You’ll then be eligible to move on to year three.

You will also “lock in” your progress within the course at each of these points.

If you had to take a break at either (or both) of these points, you could return at a later point and pick up exactly where you left off.

There’s no time limit to this.

So you don’t need to try to predict the future and it doesn’t need to be the “perfect” time.

All you need to know right now is that you’re in a good position to make a start.

You don’t suddenly need to find a whole year’s worth of tuition fees.

With our interest-free payment plans you’ll spread the cost of your education and can choose the interest free payment plan that best suits your situation.

You can choose to pay monthly, per module or per year – whichever suits your budget best.

Perhaps pharmaceutical manufacturing wasn’t the first thing that came to mind when you started to think about courses to take in your retirement.

But with childhood vaccines, painkillers, flu vaccines, antibiotics, COVID-19 vaccines… even the healthiest people have probably encountered some pharmaceuticals in their lifetime.

Have you ever stopped to think about how they’re made? What processes are in place to make sure that medicines are safe and effective every single time they’re made?

Pharmaceuticals can have a profound impact on the quality of our lives and this is a great opportunity to learn more about them.

Check out this page for more course details and click the big red “apply now” button if you’re ready to get started!

You can always contact us or click on the blue circle at the bottom of the screen on this page if you’ve got any questions – we look forward to hearing from you!