Work with Communities and Young People Foundation Degree (FdA)

About the course

The Work with Communities and Young People degree appeals to a wide range of people working or volunteering in organisations providing services for young people and communities, including both experienced practitioners and those looking to establish themselves within the sector; ensuring that those who work with vulnerable groups are sufficiently trained and qualified.

It offers an opportunity to understand and develop practice underpinned with relevant theory, and will engage you in relevant current debate where you will discuss analyse and explore issues relating to these groups.

Reasons why you should choose to study a degree in Work with Communities and Young People at DMU

• Upon successful completion you will have the opportunity to top-up to a full degree
• Our Youth and Community Division is one of the UK’s leading providers, and our established reputation of academic expertise and professional training spans more than 50 years
• Our strong links with industry and flexible teaching methods ensure your skills and knowledge are directly transferable in to the workplace upon graduation

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Key facts

UCAS course code: L590

Duration: Two years full-time, three-six years part-time

Institution code: D26

Location: Only available at North Warwickshire and Hinckley College. For more information visit www.nwhc.ac.uk|

Entry and admission criteria

2013/2014 UCAS Points Minimum of 180 points

GCSEs

• 5 GCSEs at grade C or above including English. Plus one of the following:

Alevels

• From a minimum of 1 a level. NB - NVQs can be considered in conjunction with other qualifications and as part of an applicant's overall profile

BTEC

• BTEC National Diploma - BTEC with Merit/Merit/Pass (200)
• BTEC National Certificate - Distinction/Merit
• BTEC National Award - only in combination with other accepted qualifications
• BTEC Extended Diploma (3 A2s) - BTEC with Merit/Merit/Pass (200)
• BTEC Diploma (2 A2s) - Distinction/Merit (200)
• BTEC 90 credit Diploma - only in combination with other accepted qualifications
• BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (1 A2) - only in combination with other accepted qualifications
• BTEC certificate (1 A1) - only in combination with other accepted qualifications

Access Course Pass. English GCSE equivalency required, 12 level 2 credits.

Interview: Yes

Work Experience:
one year's practical experience in a youth-related environment either statutory or voluntary. Must be working/ volunteering in a youth/ community setting for at least six hours per week by the start of the course and for its duration, with a reference provided to confirm this placement. Work experience is an important criteria for selection.

International Baccalaureate: 26+

This course welcomes mature students and values their experience. In some cases an alternative experiential and academic profile may be accepted for entry.

You must complete a declaration form and enhanced CRB disclosure application form before starting the course, which needs to be cleared in accordance with DMU’s admissions policy. Contact us for up-to-date information.

Interview Required: Yes

International Students:
If English is not your first language, we require an English language level of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

Personal Statement selection criteria

• Clear communication skills, including good grammar and spelling

• Information relevant to the course applied for

• Interest in the course demonstrated with explanation and evidence

• If relevant for the course - work and life experience

Teaching and assessment

You will be allocated a personal tutor and assessment is carried out through coursework, presentations, case studies and practical experience.

Timetabled, taught study involves one six hour day each week for part-time students, and two days for full-time students. You are expected to be working or volunteering for at least six hours a week and will carry out your own independent study.

Course modules

Work with Communities and Young People offers an opportunity to understand and develop practice underpinned with relevant theory. It will engage you in current debate in relation to community development, work with young people and the widening participation agenda. You will discuss, analyse and explore issues relating to young people within community settings.

First year

• Policy, Principle and Values
• Perspectives of Practice
• Professional Context
• Applied Social Sciences

Second year

• Community in Context
• Managing
• Negotiated Module
• Research Methods

Academic expertise

Our experienced, practitioner-based academics are in regular contact with professional colleagues; informing and enhancing our teaching to ensure it is directly applicable to the working environment.

Industry links and professional accreditation

The high quality of our teaching is being reviewed and currently seeking Integrated Youth Support endorsement to ensure the course content, delivery and teaching meets the high standards set by this professional body.

Work experience and placements

You are required and supported to engage in a minimum of six hours per week in a paid or voluntary role in a youth or community setting, including;

• Youth and community centres
• Hostels
• Charitable Organisations
• Schools
• Probation Services
• Drug and alcohol services
• Sexual health teams

Students will be expected to apply the theory learnt in the classroom with practical skills acquired in voluntary placements.

Students keep a reflective diary about their learning from working in the field and have access to a range of organisations to help with references, CVs and future job opportunities.

Graduate careers

Successful graduates can top-up into the final year of Work with Communities and Young People BA (Hons), or progress on to the second year of Youth and Community Development BA (Hons)|.

Recent graduates have found employment in a range of settings, including;

• The youth workforce
• Hostels
• Education
• Youth Justice
• The Voluntary Sector

Fees and funding

UK/EU Full-time £9000 Part Time 2013/14 4 Year Course £5925 6 Year Course £3950 Per Module (15 Credits) £988 International
Full-time Band 1 £10,750 Band 2 £11,250

Learn more about fees and funding information|.

Scholarships

Learn more about our Undergraduate scholarships| and awards information.

Facilities

You will benefit from the facilities at North Warwickshire and Hinckley College as well as accessing what facilities DMU have.

At DMU you will benefit from 24 hour access to our fully equipped library and Learning Zone for focussed group and independent study.

Investment of £8 million in our first-class teaching and learning facilities helps develop your practical experience and enhances your employability.

Learn more about our first-class study facilities|