Community Engagement and Governance 2011 Entry

Foundation Degree (with Top Up to Honours)

This course develops the skills, knowledge and confidence you need for working with local communities. The aim is to promote sustainable communities, effective governance and service delivery, responding to local needs through citizen empowerment and partnership working.

Complementing the UK government’s emphasis on citizen engagement, it encourages you to learn from real experiences of community governance with voluntary and community sector organisations, the police and local councils. By studying with practitioners from a variety of backgrounds, you have an exciting opportunity to exchange ideas and see the world from different perspectives.

The course is taught using a blend of distance learning, face-to-face events, online support and mentoring by practitioners. The good news is that you learn actively in the workplace, using ‘live’ work issues as the basis for assignments that gain you academic credit. You will gain important insights about the practice and theory of working with and for communities.

Some of our modules

Community Governance
Achieving Sustainable Communities
Learning at Work
Projects and Services
Managing Organisations
Local Council Administration

Benefits

it is highly practical, flexible and tailored to your needs
you can make a difference in local communities as you study
fellow students represent other stakeholders — and you find out what makes them tick

Career paths

Police Community Support Officer
community development worker with a neighbourhood organisation
officers of principal authorities and town and parish councils

Are there any placements for this course?

This course is work-based throughout and if you are not already working with a relevant organisation, placements will be arranged.

How will the course be assessed?

Work-based project reports, presentations, reflective diaries, online discussions and action plans.

Entry requirements

points for foundation degree: 120 using the UCAS tariff system

Applications

All full-time applications should be made through UCAS.

We welcome applications from students from non-traditional backgrounds and from overseas.

Profile: Hayley Townsend

"The course has given me confidence and has instilled me with a sense of discipline in learning to juggle work, life and study."

BA (Hons) Community Engagement and Governance

The University of Gloucestershire offers the highest, most recognised professional qualification for Town and Parish clerks within the local council sector.

The Francis Close Hall campus is big enough for students to feel anonymous, but at the same time, is small enough to maintain a distinct feeling of community which is reassuring. Cheltenham is a great university town with plenty of shops and bars for a great social scene.

So far, my high points have been forming some great friendships amongst university colleagues and also, achieving good marks to reflect the hours I have put into my studies. (I have been awarded the Aon prize twice - at Cert HE level and also at Diploma level).

The course has given me confidence and has instilled me with a sense of discipline in learning to juggle work, life and study. I’m not saying it’s easy but I would highly recommend other town and parish council clerks to enrol upon the course. It has been a life-changing experience as I have learnt so much, both professionally and personally. I also feel the fact I have achieved the Cert HE and the Diploma gives me greater clout as a young female clerk in a traditional (older) male sector.

I am hoping to continue to expand upon my knowledge gained through the course by joining the Institute of Local Council Management (which advocates ongoing study) and by attending summer school seminars, conferences and training events.

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