About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: K47047
- Award type: Certificate
- Applications: University
- Level: Professional/Short Course
- Department: Construction and Property
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: The course takes one year to study by 'blended' learning - i.e. a combination of distance learning and attendance at UWE. If you wish you can progress to a Foundation Degree (three years) or BA(Hons) Degree (five years).
- Delivery: Part-time day release
- Study Abroad: No
- Programme leader: Bryony Stevens
Introduction
Part-time courses in Housing
The Department of Construction and Property has run undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Housing for nearly 30 years. During the last few years the Department has invested in the development of new methods of course delivery. For many practitioners, frequent attendance at university is not always a practical option and we have therefore designed a range of flexible and innovative housing courses which deliver professional qualifications.
Completion of the (one year) Certificate in Housing and Neighbourhoods entitles students to Practitioner Membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
The Certificate in Housing and Neighbourhoods, which can be studied in one year of part-time study, provides a broad introduction to housing management, finance and law as follows:
- Community Participation (10 credit module)
- Neighbourhood Management (10 credit module)
- Skills Development for Housing Practitioners (20 credit module)
- Reflective Study for Housing and Community Participation (20 credit module)
The course is aimed at those who work in the housing profession and those, including tenants and residents, who are interested in this subject and wish to gain a qualification through part-time study. There is a strong emphasis on skills development as well as the acquisition of knowledge.
Upon successful completion of the Certificate you should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of how housing policy is made and identify key contemporary issues in housing policy.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the range of ways in which housing organisations might engage with their stakeholders, including tenants.
- Plan the implementation of a participation strategy and demonstrate an understanding of how to ensure participation is sustained.
- Recognise the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants with regard to a range of tenancy types, including allocations, housing need and sustainability.
- Describe different categories of repair and appreciate tenants' rights with regard to repair services.
- Demonstrate a broad understanding of housing finance.
- Explain what is meant by the term neighbourhood management and identify some of the actions and processes that it can encompass.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the different roles played by a variety of agencies in neighbourhood renewal.
- Demonstrate an awareness of skills required for success in multi-agency working such as challenging, persuading, influencing and involving people.
The course will also develop your ability to:
- Plan and manage time, and work independently
- Define, analyse and solve problems
- Communicate effectively
- Resolve conflict
- Collaborate with others
- Critically reflect on your own performance and identify your personal and on-going training needs
Upon completion of the Certificate you may wish to continue your studies. A Foundation Degree with a total of three years part-time study (including the Certificate year). Once the Foundation Degree has been completed a further two years of part-time study are required to achieve the BA(Hons) Degree in Housing Development and Management (meaning that this takes five years in total).
Initially some students will want to enrol for just the Certificate, with the option to progress onto the later courses if they wish. Other students will want to enrol onto the Foundation Degree or BA(Hons) Degree, knowing that if they decide not to complete a longer course, they may still be awarded the Certificate. The award of the HNC may be gained as an interim award after two years part-time study.
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 and Neighbourhoods would only need to take a further 20 credit 'Housing with Care and Support' 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.
Entry Requirements
Each application is considered on its individual merits. You may join these courses having taken an Access course or with A levels, but we also consider applicants without the usual entry qualifications if they are over 21 and have the necessary motivation and potential to successfully complete the course.
Typical offers
- Tariff points: 160-200
- Access: The award of the Access to HE Diploma.
Course content
Year 1
Whether you are just studying for the Certificate, or want to go on to the Foundation Degree or BA(Hons) Degree, you will study the same online topics during the first year. These comprise the 'Community Participation' and 'Neighbourhood Management' modules of the Certificate in Housing and Neighbourhoods and are as follow:
- The concept of participation and the history of user involvement in housing;
- Current issues in housing policy and the context within which housing policy is formed;
- Mapping community needs and resources;
- The governance of social housing organisations;
- Tenant participation strategy;
- An introduction to housing management and Best Value;
- The housing role of local authorities;
- An introduction to housing finance;
- Tenant participation in repairs and maintenance;
- Partnership and Collaboration;
- Researching and assessing community needs.
Two further modules - 'Skills Development for Housing Practitioners' and 'Reflective Study for Housing and Community Participation' - are also studied during the first year. Through these modules a particular focus will be placed upon the development of skills such as team-working, communication, conflict resolution and collaboration. You will also be encouraged and supported to reflect upon your experience of study and how what you learn can be applied either in the workplace or in the way in which you engage with housing organisations.
Year 2
In the second year, you will study elements of house construction and development and gain an understanding of housing law and housing practice. If you want to continue to the Foundation Degree an additional module is studied over the summer.
How the course is taught
In response to feedback from employers and students, we have addressed concerns about the difficulties of obtaining day release from work, and at the same time have acknowledged student concerns about coping with pure distance learning. The result is a blend of web-based learning, guided study and attendance at UWE Bristol approximately once a month.
Web-based learning
Students study at home, using web-based materials developed by UWE Bristol. The learning is divided into 'topics' and each topic involves about one day of study. The web based materials include everything you need for each topic, including tasks, questions and feedback. This means that you do not need to access any other books or materials - everything is provided. Any students who do not have easy access to the internet can obtain the same materials on CD. Each month, you will have up to three topics to cover, which are also discussed at the tutorial you will attend at UWE Bristol that month.
Attendance at UWE Bristol
Following an initial introductory session which will ensure you understand how to access and use the web-based material, you will attend the University roughly once a month, six times in total over a year. On these days, you will take part in practical workshops to build essential skills, and also tutorial sessions to reinforce information covered in the web-based learning. This ensures that you have understood all information covered, and also enables you to explore issues more deeply with fellow students and lecturers.
Teaching and learning
Even though you will be learning from home much of the time, you will not be without support. You can contact staff with questions that you have as you work through the web-based topics: you will not have to wait until the next attendance day to resolve any queries. There is a tutor who is dedicated to this course, and a student adviser who can be contacted at any time during the day by phone or e-mail.
When you attend UWE Bristol you have access to a range of facilities. A suite of computer rooms supports software for word processing and data analysis, as well as providing access to e-mail and the internet. From home, Blackboard, the University's virtual learning environment, enables you to access a range of electronic journals, publications and other resources provided by lecturers to support your learning.
Staff are very conscious of the challenges posed by this form of learning, particularly for those who have not participated in any formal education for some time. As a result, they are always prepared to spend time with students who have concerns, and are committed to ensuring that all students, whatever difficulties they may have to overcome, are able to benefit from the course.
Assessment
The Certificate in Housing and Neighbourhoods is assessed using essays, reflective writing and short written tasks. Considerable support with planning and undertaking assessed work is provided through attendance days. This includes taught sessions on essay writing and reflective writing.
Prices and dates
Fees
There will be a basic fee of £3150 for the Certificate. If you wish to progress on the Foundation Degree or BA Honours Degree you will need to pay an additional fee.
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
We welcome applications from people with disabilities.
Following is a list of the types of activities that the course normally involves.
- Use a computer
- Read and produce drawings, plans and maps
- Participate in field courses or activities away from the University
- Team working and negotiation
- Take part in discussions and presentations
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 application 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.
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: Bryony Stevens (Programme Leader) Bryony.Stevens@uwe.ac.uk or Julian Spicer (Admissions) fet.admissions@uwe.ac.uk, +44 (0)117 32 84242
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011