Community Work (Foundation degree - FdA)

Overview

The course is designed for those with relevant work experience (paid or unpaid). Students should be or have been actively involved in ways which help make a difference to people's lives (for example in community work, housing, welfare advocacy and or other areas of development). This course provides you with the necessary skills and formal knowledge to support and complement your practical experience and take your career forward. The course is endorsed by the England Standards Board for Community Development Work. Students are encouraged to seek further national and international work experience through the International Centre for Community Development. Following successful completion of this degree students are offered a place on the third year of the BSc Community Development and Leadership course, so only need to complete one more year to gain an honours degree.

The FdA Community Work will be the course for you if:

• You wish to progress your career in community-related fields. The course includes a significant element of employability skills, so that you can be confident in your application and interview skills;
• You want a value-for-money route to being a graduate. Foundation Degrees at London Metropolitan University are significantly less expensive than honours degrees- but you can still graduate in the same time;
• You are looking for a course which is delivered flexibly. The full-time degree is delivered on one day and one evening per week.

Faculty of Social and Humanities


www.londonmet.ac.uk/depts/fass/

Course contents

Course structure*

Two levels, each of 120 credits.

Level 1 topics include:

• Action Learning
• Cultures, Community and Difference
• Principles of Community Work
• Community Organisations and Change

Level 2 topics include:

• Professional Practice in Community Work
• Human Rights, Social Justice and Diversity
• Researching Cultures and Communities
• Leadership in Community Organisations

*Subject to validation

Assessment

You are assessed via individual and group research projects, learning how to write well for the public, to present reports to colleagues and presentation skills.

Careers

Professional accreditation

Endorsed by the England Standards Board.

Collaborative and international links

The course is linked to the International Centre for Community Development and its associated international projects.

Career opportunities

There is an increasing range of careers for front-line field workers, researchers or managers for organisations in the community and voluntary sectors. These include Community Centre Managers, Community Development Workers; Fundraising Managers; Volunteer Co-ordinators. The course will equip you to work in organisations concerned with regeneration, housing, community development as well as in community trusts and charitable organisations. You can also progress to the final year of a degree, such as the BSc in Community Development and Leadership. Graduates have found work as Community Development Officers and Project Managers.

A student taking part in employability skills training

Student profiles

What our students say

Hear the views of a former student.

Applying and entry

Sept full-time: apply through UCAS
Sept part-time, Feb 2013 full/part-time: apply direct to the University - contact Admissions for an application form .

Entry requirements

Those already working in the community, expected to be mature students with at least two years previous relevant experience and who have the ability to succeed on the course. Students who have completed the pre HE Programmes of the Tower Hamlets College's Community Development Course, and Community College Hackney's Working in Your Community Course. Applicants who are under the age of 21 with/without prior experience in community work but who possess an appropriate academic background. In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have at least 260 UCAS points from A level (or equivalent) or have completed an appropriate Access certificate. In addition, you must hold GCSE English (Grade C or Key Skills level 2).

To talk informally about the course, contact the course leader Patrick Mulrenan on p.mulrenan@londonmet.ac.uk

Follow Patrick Mulrenan’s blog.

Further information

Please contact the Admissions Office:
Tel: +44(0)20 7133 4202
Fax: +44(0)20 7133 2677
Email: admissions@londonmet.ac.uk
or for further academic questions, contact socialscience@londonmet.ac.uk