Part-time HE Certificate and Foundation Degree in Community Development

In Bangor we have developed this award in partnership with some of Wales’ best known practitioner groups such as TJB Associates, Sylfaen Cyf, Tai Eryri and Communities First. We build on other formal and informal learning opportunities in the community as well as the expertise based within the University.

The partnership has consulted with and is supported by employers, sector leaders, funding and educational providers across Wales, the UK and Ireland. The course has been developed to reflect the updated National Occupational Standards for Community Development.

You will have the opportunity to apply what you are learning to your daily work / volunteering and for your work activities to influence your learning process.

Who is it for?
Those involved with communities – you might be working in the community as paid staff or as a volunteer or activist; you may work for your local government or a public body involved with community projects or the voluntary sector or you may just be serious about changing your community.

What will I study?
Everything you would expect of a vocationally oriented learning programme designed in partnership with employers, practitioners and voluntary agencies, including areas such as:

• understanding community
• community development worker skills
• project management
• community finance and enterprise
• work based learning and research
• partnership working and networking
• community analysis
• study visits
• optional modules

Where will I study?
A Welsh medium version is delivered in north west Wales and an English medium version is usually delivered in north east Wales - please contact us to find out locations for the academic year you wish to study. There will also be a series of day visits to a range of communities and projects in the region and residential study visits to south Wales and either Ireland/Scotland or England.

When and how will I study?
A range of delivery methods will be used appropriate to each group being delivered to and normally includes:

• Weekly class based sessions: 9.30 - 12.30 and 1.30 - 4.30
• Tutor-directed study at home and in the workplace
• Work-based experience, study and application
• Day and residential study visits
• Occasional Saturday day schools

(There is an additional cost for study visits.)

There are NO exams but work will be assessed through various means including written work, mentored work place record, real time project work and practice records.

Entry requirments
• You need to be employed in, or an active volunteer in the community sector
• If you have no formal qualifications you will need a minimum of 2 years active experience in the community or your workplace sector.
• If you have limited experience you will need qualifications such as relevant OCN or HNC
• You will need 2 references from your community / organisation / employer
• All candidates will be interviewed informally

How long will it take?
The programme is flexible, designed to allow you to fit study around your life. You could, for example, complete the HE Certificate in anything from 18 months to 3 years and the Foundation Degree in a further 18 months to 3 years – a total of 3 to 6 years.

How much will it cost?
The Foundation Degree consists of 240 credits. There is an additional cost for study visits. Please contact us or see our Finance & Funding pages for current fees and information about funding opportunities.

Progression Routes
You may progress to BA Honours level courses with Lifelong Learning or go on to the Postgraduate Certificate in Community Development.

For further information or to enrol call 01248 382475 or e-mail ll@bangor.ac.uk

Download an application form here.