About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: K45047
- Award type: Certificate
- Applications: Direct to University
- Level: Professional/Short Course
- Department: Construction and Property
- Campus: Frenchay Campus and through distance learning
- Duration: Normally completed in one year
- Delivery: Distance learning with some optional workshops to attend
- Programme leader: Ceri Victory
Introduction
This is an online distance learning programme that we have designed at the request of and in partnership with the Devon Strategic Housing Managers Group and other housing employers in the South West. It is a part-time training programme that will be appropriate for beginners or experienced individuals who are involved in providing housing options and advice in the public and private sectors, such as;
- 'Frontline' housing advice workers
- People involved in homelessness prevention
- Local authority and RSL housing officers and managers
- Voluntary sector housing and homelessness workers
- Homeless hostel and support workers
The course entitles you to Practitioner Membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing upon completion.
Careers / Further study
Upon completion of the Certificate you may wish to continue your studies. In particular, UWE offers a FdA (foundation degree) in Housing. Students who successfully complete the Certificate in Housing Options and Advice would only need to take a further 20 credit 'reflective practice' module to have completed the first year (of three in total) of the Foundation Degree in Housing. The Foundation Degree entitles students to Corporate Membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing (MCIH) upon completion.
If you wish, you can 'top-up' the foundation degree to a full BA Honours degree in Housing Development and Management with a further two years of study.
A formal qualification in Housing shows employers that you are capable of advanced study, and have gained skills and knowledge that will directly benefit their organisation. Together with your work experience, these qualifications should enable you to develop your career and move to higher levels of responsibility.
Advice on typical offers
Applicants normally have at least one A level, but we will also consider applicants who are working in housing or who have significant relevant experience.
Typical offers
- GCSE: English
- Tariff points: 100-160
- Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; achievement of level 2 credits in English Language.
Course content
There are three 20 credit core modules and an optional fourth module for those wishing to progress on to the Foundation Degree in Housing:
Housing needs and housing options
This module is taught by a series of online learning topics, which are completed individually and allow you to work at your own pace. It looks at practical issues arising in homelessness prevention work and meeting the housing needs of specific client groups, including;
- Factors contributing to homelessness
- Preventing homelessness of particular groups
- Creating more housing options
- Working with private landlords
- Inter-agency working and protocols
Although there are ten topics in total, the assessment for this module will be based on six of them: five mandatory topics and one optional topic which you choose from the six other topics. However, you are free to complete any or all of the non-assessed topics, should you wish to explore other subject areas. They will all be available on the module website.
Problem-Solving in Housing Law
This module allows you to develop the skill of information-gathering for problem-solving. It covers aspects of the law that are of greatest relevance to housing options workers, and sets problems that you are then required to solve in small study groups. This module is designed to be studied at a distance, and the groups 'meet' in an online learning environment. It is delivered during the course of the academic year, beginning in September and ending in May, when all assessments for this module are due to be handed in.
Skills Development for Housing Practitioners
This module is designed to encourage you to become a reflective practitioner whilst enhancing skills for advice provision and case work, eg
- Presentation skills
- Negotiation skills
- Communication skills
- Conflict resolution
- Working in groups
- Motivational interviewing
- Reflective learning skills
Together with your employer and tutor, you will assess your training needs and identify and agree a programme of training to meet those needs. Following the training, you will submit reflective reports in your experiences for assessment at UWE. Should you wish to attend UWE for training workshops, you will be able to do so, but otherwise the practical training is to be provided by your employer.
Teaching and learning
The course uses technology to enable you to study at a distance in an interactive and stimulating way, so access to a computer and broadband are essential.
Efforts have been made to incorporate a full range of learning styles, so that you get the most out of the course.
This course is designed so that it can be taken completely by distance learning, with the exception of the compulsory one day induction course. If you prefer, you can opt to take the modules as a 'blended learning' course combining distance learning with limited attendance.
Study time
The course will normaly take one year to complete. It can also be completed over a longer period of time if required. You can also sign up for individual components for professional development.
Prices and dates
Fees
The fee for the certificate is £3150. There are additional fees to pay if you chose to progress to the Foundation Degree or BA(Hons).
How to apply
Please see the general information about applications.
Applications for all part-time undergraduate programmes are made direct to the University. Application forms are available from Admissions and International Development.
We welcome applications from students without the conventional entrance requirements but who do have substantial relevant work or other experience and whose motivation and skills would enable them to succeed on the course.
We also welcome applications from people with disabilities, and we are happy to arrange visits for disabled applicants to find out whether the course is suitable, and discuss what support is appropriate.
Students with disabilities
Following is some information about the types of activities that the course normally involves. We are committed to supporting students with disabilities, and wherever possible we will make reasonable adjustments to these activities to enable students with disabilities to successfully complete the course. We encourage applicants to disclose any disabilities or support needs in their applications forms, so that we can offer information, advice and support. There is a Disability Service at UWE Bristol and a Disability Support Co-ordinator in the Faculty.
Use a computer
- Read and produce drawings, plans and maps
- Visually inspect buildings and locations, including physical movement around and through buildings and locations
- Visually inspect construction sites, including physical movement around and through construction sites
- Participate in field courses or activities away from the University
- Measure distances and sizes of buildings, materials or sites
- Team working and negotiation
- Laboratory work involving observations and physical manipulation
- Take part in discussions and presentations
Open days
We run open days throughout the year, when you can meet lecturers and current students, see the facilities and resources that we offer, and visit the student accommodation. Please ask for details. For further information regarding the course, you are welcome to contact: Nancy Carlton (Programme Leader) Nancy.Carlton@uwe.ac.uk or Julian Spicer (Admissions) , +44 (0)117 32 33333
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011