The BA (Hons) Education and Community Development is studied by distance learning explores and examines how individuals are formally and informally prepared for their different roles in our technological society.

Entry to Level 1 or the Full Programme

To enrol on the first Level or the Full Programme you must normally hold 200 UCAS tariff points or equivalent.

Entry on a Modular Basis

If you do not hold the required tariff points for Level 1 or Full Programme entry, studies will be permitted on a modular basis, following a guidance interview with a student advisor.

In order to be able to complete this programme, a good level of English is required. The IELTS requirements for all distance-learning programmes are a minimum of 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in both reading & writing (and a minimum of 5.0 in listening & speaking). Where English is not your first language, you may be required to provide a written example of your work in order to ensure your suitability for the programme.

Overseas students should be aware that all exams MUST be taken in the UK at one of our approved exam venues. Students should also be aware that they are expected to cover all costs in attending the exams.

Accredited Certified Learning (ACL)

You may be able to gain admission to the programme with advanced standing. If you think that you could be entitled to ACL, you will be asked to submit the following evidence:

• Programme/Module Specification or syllabus (including evidence of assessment format)
• Final certificate
• Transcript of grades.

• Equip students to undertake a career in Primary or Secondary Education; or in the Post-compulsory Education Training environment
• Enable students to understand the educational system
• To provide a foundation for employment, professional and further academic study in Education, and to produce skilful acceptable graduates

Knowledge:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how individuals are educated, influenced, informed and trained.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structural, institutional, personal and cultural systems and ideas which affect the education of individuals and groups.

Thinking skills

• Analyse practical and theoretical educational situations, and synthesise solutions showing original and creative thought.

Subject-Based Practical skills

• Plan, manage and reflect on your own learning and progression in acquiring graduate attributes appropriate either for entry to a career in education / training, or teacher training.

Skills for life and work (general skills)

• Demonstrate autonomy, self-reliance, teamwork and leadership.
• Develop transferable graduate skills in communication and interpersonal relationships
• Communication
• Computer literacy (word-processing, electronic communication, electronic databases, statistical software, internet searching)
• Numeracy and statistical competence
• Self-awareness
• Planning and time-management
• Employability skills

The expected duration of this programme is 3 years when attended in full-time mode or 4.5 years in part-time mode. Support, however, may be available for longer – up to eight years, if necessary (this is the maximum time from first enrolment that students have to complete the programme).

There are three entry points per year onto the programme: September, February and May. A student, normally registering for 6 modules in one year would do so in a full-time attendance mode of study and a student registering for up to 4 modules in one year would do so in part-time attendance mode of study.

A typical full-time student will take six 20-credit modules per year, but you may choose to take fewer than this. To graduate as an honours degree student you will need to have completed 120 credits at level one, 120 credits at level 2 and 120 credits at level 3.

It is also possible to study Education and Community Development as part of a Combined Honours Degree, either as a Major/Minor or a Joint Honours. To study Education and Community Development as a Major, at Level 1 you must study one core module and three options from a choice of five modules. At Level 2, there are two core modules and two options from a choice of five modules. Lastly, at Level 3, you will study one core module (Project module worth 40 credits) and two options from a choice of four modules.

To take Education and Community Development as part of a Joint degree you must take one core module and two option modules, unless the ‘Skills’ module is taken in the other discipline, then you must choose another option module from the remaining modules offered. At Level 2 there are two core modules and one option from a choice of four modules, or if you take the ‘Employability’ and/or ‘Research’ modules, you must choose one or two modules from the remaining options available. At Level 3 you must take one core module and one option from a choice of four modules, unless the ‘Project’ module is taken in the other discipline, you must take two option module options from the three remaining modules available.

To study Education and Community Development as a Minor route, you must study two modules from a choice of five modules. At Levels 2 and 3 two modules are studied from a choice of four modules.

In order to gain an honours degree you will need to obtain 360 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain an ordinary degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 300 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 60 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain a Diploma of Higher Education you will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher

In order to gain a Certificate of Higher Education you will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher

In order to gain an Associate Certificate you will need to obtain a minimum if 20 credits at level one or higher

In order to gain a Foundation Degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 240 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• (A Foundation degree is linked to a named Honours degree onto which a student may progress after successful completion of the Foundation degree)

Knowledge is developed through

• Guided independent study
• Group work
• Formative assessment
• Guided reading
• Knowledge-based activities with feedback
• On-line question/ answer forums

Thinking skills are developed through

• Reflective/ thinking activities with feedback
• Analytical activities with feedback
• Evaluative activities with feedback
• Problem-solving activities with feedback
• On-line question/ answer forums

Practical skills are developed through

• Practical/ physical activities with feedback
• IT activities with feedback
• Research skills-based activities with feedback
• Project work and supervision

Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through

• The study medium, i.e. distance learning
• Planning activities with feedback
• IT activities with feedback
• Formative assessment with feedback
• Project work

Knowledge is assessed by

• Coursework essays, problems and case studies
• Seen/unseen Examinations
• Project work

Thinking skills are assessed by

• Coursework
• Examinations
• Project work

Practical skills are assessed by

• Practical reports
• Portfolio compilation
• IT exercises
• Case study exercises
• Completion of Project

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

• Project work
• Group work
• IT exercises