COURSE INFORMATION

If you would like to make a real difference to communities, supporting local people to thrive and develop according to their own needs and aspirations, then this is the course for you. 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 you to identify and tackle issues of inequality, which you will take into fieldwork practice through an extensive Community Development work practice placement.  

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. The course will be available online as well as campus based. For those applying from out with the local area, it is expected that you would be working or volunteering (at least 6 hours per week) in an appropriate setting for the duration on the course.

CLD Standards Council Approved.
  • 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 learners are encouraged to discuss and share their 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. 
  • This is a part time course which will be 1 day per week over 2 academic years.
  • This course will also be offered online for those out with the local area.
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
  • 2 Highers at a grade C or above- 1 of which should be English. 
  • Successful achievement of a Level 6 programme in a Care discipline. 
  • Experience of community work will be considered as part of your application.
  • BA Community Learning and Development at Dundee University.
  • MA Learning in Communities at Edinburgh University.
  • 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.
  • Online application and interview.