Course description
Duration
A minimum of 21 months study over two academic years for the Diploma and 24 months for the Masters.
Overview
The course is recognised by the Scottish Executive for a number of quota awards under its Postgraduate Students Allowances Scheme. This means that applicants selected for the course, who are normally resident in Scotland and without a prior postgraduate qualification may be eligible to apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for a maintenance grant and full payment of fees. It covers the educational requirements of the Chartered Institute for Housing.
The Diploma/Masters in Housing (Professional Practice) provides access to a wide range of employment opportunities with housing agencies. Students completing the course take up posts with housing associations, local authorities, housing co-operatives, consultancy companies and other private and voluntary agencies active in the field of housing.
The Diploma has a modular structure combining lecture and seminar based teaching, with an integrated programme of practical studies and work experience. Students undertake two periods of placement with different housing agencies, which provide the professional, practical experience for students aiming to complete the APEX requirements for full Chartered Institute of Housing membership. The course is assessed by essays, reports, project and group work, with only one examination in the final year. Students eligible for the Diploma may progress to the Masters subject to good performance. A Diploma Professional Report of 5,000 words is undertaken or alternatively a 12,500 – 15,000 word MSc Dissertation for the Masters.
The first year of the course provides:
* a comprehensive examination and analysis of the key functions delivered by a range of providers in the public, independent and private sectors
* an understanding of professional ethics, policy and practice relating to housing management, development, finance, legislation, governance, organisational management, research methods and evaluation
* a placement period in a housing organisation, such as a housing association or local authority.
The second year of the course includes a second placement, undertaken during the autumn term, with a different type of housing organisation, including more specialist voluntary sector providers, research or campaigning organisations. Students can also develop specific interests from specialist routes through the course, such as housing management and housing development, through option modules and in their choice of subject area for research for either the Diploma Professional Report or MSc Dissertation.
OPTIONS INCLUDE:
* Housing and Health
* Urban Regeneration
* Data Management, GIS and Statistics
* Comparative Housing Study Visit
* Participation in the Built Environment
Further choices of relevant options are also available from other postgraduate courses within the School, subject to timetabling. Key themes embedded within the course in core, specialist and option modules are: equal opportunities, sustainability and comparisons between Scotland and other parts of the UK and Europe.
