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Foundation Degree
Community Development
- Duration:
- Two academic years
- Start Dates:
- September
- Attendance:
- Part-time modular structure (approximately 4 hours contact per week) Mondays in year 1 and Tuesdays in year 2
- Venue:
- High Wycombe
- Cost:
- Available on application
- Key Contact:
- Pat Blood
- Tel:
- 01494 603 171
- Email:
- ask@bucks.ac.uk
Is this course suitable for me?
The Foundation degree is designed to address the rapidly changing needs of those working in all areas of community development.
It has been designed in partnership with practitioners and employers in the field of community development. You may currently be working in one of the following areas:
- Crime Reduction and Community Safety
- Health Promotion
- Community Regeneration
- Housing
- Social Enterprise
- Community Associations
- Residents Groups
- Environment and Planning
- Tenant Participation
- Adult Learning
- Youth Work
- Serving as a local or parish councillor
- Community Work
- Supporting Voluntary Groups
- Citizenship Education
- Sports Development
Overview
Introduction
What is a Foundation Degree?
A Foundation Degree rates the same academically as the first two years of a three year Honours Degree at a UK university. It can be achieved in two year by part-time study because it is work-based and in an applied discipline. Currently about 50,000 students (mostly adult and part-time) are following Foundation Degrees in England. Subjects range from Early years to Complementary Health! Almost all Foundation Degrees offer progression to an Honours Degree.
The key features of a Foundation Degree are:
- The development of specialist technical knowledge and skills
- Learning structured around your employment
- The development of motivated and qualified students who will benefit from increased career opportunities
- You can continue to earn while learning – there is no need to give up your job to do a Foundation Degree
- Partnership input and support from both academics and practitioners
How will it be delivered?
- Flexible and diverse study methods including work based learning, seminars, guest lectures, group action, learning, distance learning, and on-line support
- Students will study in the workplace as well as participating in a HE environment
The course team
You will be taught by a combination of community development practitioners, a dedicated Lecturer in community development at Bucks New University, and academic staff with expertise in sociology and social policy. You will also be supported in your studies by a specialist Work-based Learning Coordinator, a Study Skills Support Tutor, and IT technicians. Students will have full access to the library and Learning Resources Centre at Bucks New University.
Content
Students will address a wide range of contemporary issues including: participation, equality, diversity, citizenship, democracy, local government modernisation and social justice as well as developing practical skills relevant to the building of active and sustainable communities.
LEVEL 1
Personal and Professional Development
This module will develop a range of key learning skills including research methods, group work, presentation and communication skills, IT proficiency and so on.
The Community Development Practitioner
This module will develop an understanding of the practice, principles and values of community development.
Communities in Context
This module will provide an understanding of the context of key debates relevant to community development within areas such as policy, welfare and local government.
Engaging excluded Groups
This module will develop practical skills and relevant knowledge in the areas of equal opportunities and understanding diversity.
LEVEL 2
Partnership and Organisation
This module will develop an awareness of the characteristics and variety of organisations within the statutory, voluntary and business sectors.
New Policy Agendas
This module will provide an overview of contemporary and recent policy issues relating to the practice of community development including participation, community involvement, and related government policies.
Work Based Learning (two modules)
These modules enable students to undertake a project of their own choosing linked to their specific background within the field of community development including areas such as community safety, sustainable communities, health, local government and statutory organisations, voluntary and the Community sector.
Entry requirements
There are no formal academic entry requirements. Candidates should be able to show an interest in the course as well as being able to demonstrate that they are currently employed or carrying out voluntary work in the field of community development for at least 8-10 hours per week. In conjunction with the course team, candidates will also need to identify a work based mentor who will provide a support and advice role in the workplace.
Employment opportunities
The Foundation Degree is a vocational, Higher Education qualification providing students with the specialist technical knowledge and skills increasingly needed by those wishing to work in the field of community development such as local councils, public sector agencies and the voluntary and community sector.
On successful completion of the Foundation Degree, students would also be eligible to enrol on the conversion to honours programme at Bucks New University BA (Hons) Practice Development. This course has been developed as a work based course to develop skills in analysis and evaluation, with students being supported to undertake substantial projects in the place of work, with a focus on practice development.
How to make an application
Contact Owen Lord on 01494 603 171 or email ask@bucks.ac.uk for an application pack
Further Information and advice
Call: 01494 603 171
Key Contact: Pat Blood
We hope to have a fully on-line application system shortly, but in the meantime, to apply for a course, please download and print these forms, completing them fully and posting back to the address below.
- Course_Enquiry_Letter (70.4 KB)
- Application_form (58.1 KB)
- Notes_for_Guidance (51.6 KB)
- Fee_Authoristaion_Form (61.1 KB)
- Foundation_Degree_Reference_Form (9.6 KB)
If you are unable to view the forms, please click here to download a free version of adobe reader.
Alternatively, if you call us on 01494 603 171 or email ask@bucks.ac.uk we can post you a hard copy application pack.
Students funded by the NHS or other employer
If the cost of your course is being funded by your employer, please contact your education lead or manager for guidance as to how they would prefer you to make an application.