Course summary
OVERVIEW Discover what it means to become a professionally qualified community educator with UWS’s BA (Hons) community education degree. This programme 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.Teaching, learning and assessment are underpinned by theories and practices relating to youth and community work, equality and social justice, wellbeing and community empowerment. PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS • This programme is designed for those already involved or interested in working with people in communities to promote learning for life and social change. • 40% of learning is achieved in practice based placements that provide experiential learning in community education settings. • This programme is approved by the Community Learning and Development Standards Council for Scotland and is recognised as a lead practitioner qualification. CAREERS As a BA (Hons) Community Education graduate, you’ll find employment opportunities in urban, rural and international locations. As a practitioner or manager within youth work, adulteducation and community development you will find interesting jobs in the community, voluntary and statutory sectors. Graduates from this programme 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 such as climate change and health/ wellbeing • Charitable trusts • FE Colleges and Higher Education • Campaigning for human rights, equality and social justice
Modules
Year one 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. Year two 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 focusing on project and community leadership. Year three 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. In trimester two, you will further develop your CLD competences by completing a capstone project within a practice learning placement.Completion of the capstone project will involve developing and evaluating a specific piece of practice. You will evaluate your capstone project and present an artefact (such as a film, training pack or weblog) that can 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. Year four In the final year, you will develop your emerging professional identity further by studying the implications of social policy on CLD practice. Alongside Childhood Studies, you will develop more nuanced and critical understanding of inter-professional practices. You will also carry out a research dissertation through professional enquiry linked to practice learning.Learn a Language (optional) This course also gives you the option of taking a language module, which can count towards your degree. These modules cover multiple languages and range from absolute beginner to near-native speaker level.
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
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
- Year 3
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
Year 2 Entry: Scottish Advanced Highers: BCC T Level: Full T Level with Grade M (120 UCAS Tariff points) 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 - BCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMM
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 - 63 points
A level - BCC
Scottish Higher - CCC
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
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 | £15500* | Year 1 |
International | £15500* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Sponsorship information
Visit www.uws.ac.uk/scholarships
Provider information
University of the West of Scotland
Paisley Campus
High Street
Paisley
PA1 2BE