This course is professionally accredited by the Chartered Institute of Housing for the Housing pathway and appropriate accreditation for the other professional pathways: community development planning and the environment, and Adult Social Care (Commissioning and Procurement) is also being explored.

Entry Requirements:

This Foundation Degree focuses strongly on work-related learning. Applicants will therefore need to demonstrate that they have access to an appropriate workplace environment before they can be accepted on the course. The workplace may be paid employment or may be a voluntary activity.

The programme takes a flexible approach to academic requirements for study. Ideally, applicants should have a BTEC National, A Level or other Level 3 qualification. However, we welcoime applications from students with a wide range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications.

About the Course

This exciting new Degree is an innovative programme that aims to develop skills and knowledge in all aspects of Sustainable Communities ranging from design, planning, professional practice and housing, right through to issues associated with governance, sustainability, regeneration, community safety, social inclusion and researching communities. The qualification has been jointly developed by The University of Northampton, The University Centre Milton Keynes and the Homes & Communities Agency.

Key Features 

• Develops high level professional skills
• Develops knowledge and critical awareness of contemporary problems and issues
• Provides a comprehensive understanding of techniques of intervention
• When you have completed 50% of the course, you may be eligible for a Certificate in Higher Education in Sustainable Communities.

Course Content 

The Degree focuses on practitioner development by adopting an approach which will allow students to strengthen and deepen their knowledge, understanding and ability in relation to all aspects of sustainable communities.

The award falls broadly into a number of areas:

• the policy context of sustainable communities - critiquing the concepts and policy context, from sustainable design and building to planning and development, and place making
• interventions and leadership - consideration of possible intervention strategies
• application of theory, knowledge and skills in practice and in work-based settings
• development of graduate and professional skills.

The following modules will be taught in the first year:

• Understanding Sustainable Communities
• Creativity & Social Innovation
• Policy Initiatives
• The Economics and Regualtion of Development
• Developing Graduate Skills
• Design for Sustainable Communities.

Assessment

There are no formal examinations for this course. Assessments will involve a range of written assignments and presentations that will require students to produce reports and strategies to a standard and style expected in the workplace. During the course, students undertake an in-depth, supervised, work-based project on an area of interest.

Next Steps

This course will enable you to further develop your professional skills in subject areas including housing, community development, planning and regeneration.