Course summary
OVERVIEW The BA Community Education degree will enable you to become a professionally qualified Community Educator. This degree is perfect for anyone interested in working with young people, adults and communities, to engage in learning about how to live the best life possible and to challenge discrimination and all forms of injustice. Throughout the course, teaching, learning and assessment are underpinned by theories and practices relating to youth and community work, equality and social justice, wellbeing and community empowerment. Guiding Principles The BA (Hons) in Community Education provides a range of social and psychological theories and practices that help students take a critical stance in contemporary policy, social economics and in the transformative capabilities of communities. It prepares you to work in Community Education (CEd) and Community Learning and Development (CLD) at local, national and international levels. The values and principles of CLD: self-determination, inclusion, empowerment, working collaboratively and promotion of learning as a lifelong activity, underpin the overall ethos of this course. There are three themes running through the course: // the dynamic nature of theory and practice and the importance of critical reflection and research in relation to community education, formal and informal practices and educational perspectives. // the development of anti-discriminatory professional practice in the context of changing cultural, social, political and economic conditions // the concept of ‘community’ and how this links to processes of globalisation and new communication practices and social relationships PRACTICAL FOCUS This a very practical degree and 40% of learning is achieved in practice-based placements that provide experiential learning in community education settings. PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION This degree is professionally recognised and approved by the Community Learning and Development Standards Council for Scotland and is recognised as a lead practitioner qualification. CAREER PROSPECTS Jobs As a qualifying degree approved by CLD Standards Council you'll find employment opportunities in urban, rural and international locations. As a practitioner or manager within youth work, adult education and community development you will find interesting jobs in the community, voluntary and statutory sectors. Graduates from this degree have gone on to work in: // Community and school-based youth work // Lifelong and family learning // Literacy work and TESOL // Faith-based and rural work // Employability // Community development and capacity building // Issue-based practice on climate change and health/wellbeing // Charitable trusts // FE Colleges // Campaigning for human rights, equality and social justice
Modules
In Year 1, you will be introduced to key theories in education, sociology and psychology. You are also introduced to the CLD competences as a foundation for Personal and Professional Development Planning (PDP). You will develop an understanding of social theory in relation to power and community contexts and will be introduced to critical pedagogy. You will explore ideas that can be used to enhance competence in group work and communication skills. Academic practice is embedded in all modules and students will learn one language and also take a practice learning module that is focused on building and maintaining relationships. In Year 2, you will research the core domains of practice and strategies for participation and inclusion at local and international levels. You will examine and consider how these can be applied in a range of contexts. You will also undertake a practice learning module focussing on project and community leadership. In Year 3, you will continue your studies of critical pedagogy and its purpose in creating emancipatory practice for equality and social justice. You will develop an understanding of the tensions in managing people and resources and will learn about practice-based research. You will further develop your CLD competences by completing a capstone project within a practice learning placement. The capstone project will involve you developing and evaluating a specific piece of practice through an artefact (such as a film, training pack or weblog). This will be used to show how the capstone project impacted on (a) your development of competences and (b) the CEd/CLD context of the practice project. In the final year, you will develop your emerging professional identity further by studying the implications of social policy on CLD practice. You will develop a more nuanced and critical understanding of your professional roles and practices. You will also carry out a research dissertation through professional enquiry linked to practice learning.
Assessment method
Our learning and teaching approaches model CLD values and practices by applying an ethical and emancipatory purpose to a range of contemporary, historical and theoretical perspectives and teaching methods. Our use of alternative, visual and participatory methods engages students in the kind of informal and critical practices that students will use to engage learners in their own practice situations. Over 50% of our assessments involve practical or practice based tasks (40% of learning is achieved in practice-based placements that provide experiential learning in community education settings) and there are no formal exams in this degree.
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
31Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- L540
- Institution code:
- U40
- Campus name:
- Lanarkshire Campus
- Campus code:
- I
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
Year 2 Entry: Scottish Advanced Highers: BCC A Levels: BBB SQA HNC/BTEC Level 4 HNC: Working in/with Communities; Social Care; Sport in Communities; Community Arts; Additional Support Needs; Social Sciences; Childhood Practice; Social Services with B in Graded Unit
International applicants
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. These are shown below.
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - 108 points
A level - BBC
Scottish Higher - BBBB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H1, H2, H2, H2
Scottish HNC - Pass
Scottish HND - Pass
T Level - M
Entry to Year 1 with SWAP (BBB) in Access to Humanities. Applicants who do not have formal qualifications but who have a minimum of two years, full-time experience, may be eligible to make a claim for Recognition of Previous Learning. Anyone thinking of this should contact the Programme Leader to discuss.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - 102 points
A level - BCC
Scottish Higher - BBBC
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H1, H2, H2, H2
Additional entry requirements
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Interview
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill / component. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests |
| PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with no element below 51 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 78 | no sub-test less than: Reading: 17; Listening: 17; Speaking: 17; Writing: 17 |
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The reason for this is that it’s essential that you are able to read, speak and understand the English language to get the most out of your time at UWS. All international applicants are required to meet minimum English language standards, with the exception of: // Native speakers of English // Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise) // non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification) The qualifications above must have been gained within two years prior to the start of your course at UWS.
UWS's English language requirements
https://www.uws.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements/
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Scotland | £1820* | Year 1 |
| England | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| EU | £15250* | Year 1 |
| International | £15250* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Additional fee information
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - SCOTTISH STUDENTS:
Eligible Scottish domiciled students can usually apply to have their tuition fees paid for them each year of their studies by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). If you're not sure about your eligibility, you should contact SAAS. You need to apply to SAAS each year of study to have your tuition fees paid directly to UWS.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - UK, IRISH & GIBRALTARIAN STUDENTS:
Eligible students who are domiciled in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland as well as from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar or the Republic of Ireland will qualify for tuition fees of £9,250 per academic session of study to a maximum of three years if you are studying on a four year bachelor degree course (eg. BAcc (Hons) / BA (Hons) / BEng (Hons) / BSc (Hons)). So, if your degree is four years' duration, you will only be charged tuition fees for three years. Similarly, if you are studying a five year integrated master's degree course (eg. MEng (Hons)) the you will only be charged tuition fees for four years.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - INTERNATIONAL (NON-EU) & EU STUDENTS:
These tuition fees apply to all non-EU, EEA, and all other EU students (excluding those from Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar, whose fee level is as per UK (non-Scottish) students - see section above for more details).
ADDITIONAL COSTS:
The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career.
In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs such as consumable study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms. You may also want to purchase some core texts and technology such as a new laptop etc. Some of these additional costs are optional, some, such as uniforms or safety equipment may be mandatory.
Check the course entry on our website for more more information.
Sponsorship information
Visit www.uws.ac.uk/scholarships
Provider information
University of the West of Scotland
Paisley Campus
High Street
Paisley
PA1 2BE