Who is this course for?
- For those interested in working within Community Learning and Development and also wishing to progress with their studies.
What skills will I learn?
- The practice placement is an essential part of the course which is assessed through a range of practical activities undertaken in a community-based organisation.The programme provides a local, national and global view of factors which affect our communities.
- The course links theory with practice, and you are encouraged to discuss and share your own experiences through classroom debates based on ‘hands on’ experience.
- In this course you will explore what action people can take to tackle issues commonly faced by their communities, and you will discover approaches designed to overcome those barriers which support community groups to have a positive impact in their own areas.
What will I study?
You will study a range of topics, including:- The principles and values which underpin effective community practice
- The social science approaches supporting theories of community change
- How to facilitate and develop community groups; How to adopt and support a range of learning approaches
- How to build capacity of people and the communities in which they live
- How to use digital skills to enhance your practice
- How to work with young people
- The social model of health and how it impacts the communities in which we work
- The course is designed to support you to develop an understanding of the theories which support change in communities and the opportunity to link the theories with practice. You might be involved in paid or voluntary community work and would like to gain a nationally recognised advanced qualification: to support better understanding of the role of community learning and development in different settings, to improve your work or to support you in opportunities for promotion or finding work with other agencies. If you are not currently engaged in community learning and development work, then the placement element of the course will support you to build on and enhance previous practical experience.
- The course is delivered in a vibrant and dynamic learning environment, supporting learners to identify and tackle issues of inequality, which they will take into fieldwork practice through an extensive Community Development work practice placement. The practice element is an essential and significant part of the course (40% - at least one day or two evenings per week) involving engagement with groups of people in community settings, supporting them to effect changes they want.
- The course suits a wide range of people including those with adult life experience who are looking to return to learning. This course changes lives for the better – both those of the students, those of the people they work with and those they go on to work with. At Fife College, we are aware that this course is not delivered in the north of Scotland and would like to open this course to those out with the local area with the ability to join classes online.
Application Information
What further study options are available?
- BA Community Learning and Development at Dundee University.
- MA Learning in Communities at Edinburgh University.
What career opportunities are there?
- You can progress from this course to employment in the field of Community Learning and Development, working with young people, working with adults, supporting community capacity development or a combination of these.
- CLD workers can be based in a range of settings including local authorities, colleges, third sector and voluntary organisations, policy teams, prisons, social work settings, religious organisations and more.