Working with Communities HNC

What is special about this course?

This course is suited to anyone working or volunteering with community-based groups, giving you the opportunity to gain a professional qualification in Community Learning and Development (CLD). 

You will learn about: the principles which underpin effective community practice; social science approaches supporting theories of community change; how to adopt and support a range of learning approaches; how to work with community groups (adults and young people); and how to support the development of community capacity.

Providing a local, national, and global view of factors which affect our communities, the course links theory with practice, encouraging you to discuss and share your own experiences through classroom debates. You will gain valuable practical experience by undertaking a placement in a setting relevant to your studies, in either the statutory or the voluntary sector. This will link up to the theory you have learnt, enabling you to share and discuss your hands on experience with your fellow students and deepen your understanding of community practice in action. 

You will explore issues commonly faced by communities, and discover approaches designed to overcome those barriers, supporting community groups to make a positive impact in their local areas. In addition, you will study a wide range of relevant subjects including group work, sociology, principles of community learning and development, approaches to learning, youth work, and managing resources, ensuring that you will be well prepared for degree-level study or further employment in CLD. 

Special features

• Course structure allows you to fit your studies around other work and life commitments
• Delivered using our online learning environment so you can study from home or on campus
• The CLD Standards Council has identified certain values of CLD. These values are integral to your learning and are as follows:
  • Self-determination - respecting the individual and valuing the right of people to make their own choices
  • Inclusion - valuing equality of both opportunity and outcome, and challenging discriminatory practice
  • Empowerment - increasing the ability of individuals and groups to influence issues that affect them and their communities through individual and/ or collective action
  • Working collaboratively - maximising collaborative working relationships in partnerships between the many agencies which contribute to CLD, including collaborative work with participants, learners and communities
  • Promotion of learning as a lifelong activity - ensuring that individuals are aware of a range of learning opportunities and are able to access relevant options at any stage of their life. For more information, please visit the CLD Standards Council website
     

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

• 2 Scottish Highers at grade C or above, preferably including English or English based subjects OR
• 2 A levels at grade D or above, preferably including English or English based subjects
• Alternatively, a relevant NC pass at SCQF Level 6
• Mature students without formal qualifications but with relevant experience may be considered
• This is a Category 1 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required to successfully achieve target qualification, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in key elements of the course. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage

Year 1 - HNC

You will study the following core modules:

•    CLD principles and practice
•    Social science approaches
•    Group work
•    Personal development planning
•    Workplace practice
•    CLD learning approaches
•    Graded unit
•    Additional support needs: lifelong learning
•    Additional support needs: adult learning

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK, including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

Additional costs

You will be expected to meet the travel costs for your work placement.