A module in a course refers to the different subjects taught within a course and various key concepts focused on throughout the course. For example, a psychology degree course will focus on several modules such as Cognitive Psychology, a module on Developmental Psychology and a Personality Development module. In terms of modular vocational courses, students can normally pick optional modules they want to study in their course that focus on their career choice. Some modules are compulsory in modular vocational courses but others are optional, allowing students to focus on learning practical modules that are relevant to their specific career path rather than learning a broad range of modules throughout.
Vocational courses are specifically tailored for vocation-based study. These courses will normally lead to employment as they focus on skills needed for a certain job -- for example a hairdressing diploma is normally delivered vocationally as it focuses on skills needed in employment (managing a salon, customer care and business development) as well as the key concepts/skills of hairdressing itself.
Vocational courses will normally progress to one year of paid or unpaid work experience within the chosen industry. When a student completes a vocational course they not only leave with the necessary knowledge needed to pursue their career but with work experience.
Universities and colleges have recently adopted the modular vocational course into degrees and diplomas. The range of modular vocational courses available now is extensive; many academic degrees like Media Psychology now include aspects from modular vocational courses such as choosing relevant modules and being placed in a work environment before the degree is complete.
Courses in all forms of education may include personalised modular vocational courses. Not all institutions focus on modular vocational courses but many will involve aspects into their teaching and course delivery; you should contact any potential university, institution of course provides for details on whether courses are entirely modular vocational courses or only include certain aspects.
Although modular vocational courses are integrated into other courses, there are only a few colleges that are dedicated to providing modular vocational courses dedicated to producing the skills necessary for a particular job. ACTE (Association for Career Training and Technical Education) provides a list of institutions and providers for relevant modular vocational courses as well as a list of programs available, funding, career pathways and educational pathways.