Course description
Content
The course consists of seven compulsory modules, and two optional modules.
The core modules are:
-Housing Policy
-Marketing and Customer Management
-Strategic Management
-Organisational Analysis and Change
-Financial Management for Social Businesses
-Research for Policy and Practice.
Current optional modules include:
-Housing Law
-Issues in Housing Management
-Regeneration and Community Renewal (by distance learning)
-Communities and Neighbourhoods (by distance learning)
-Housing Development and Renewal (by distance learning)
-Human Resource Management
-Managing Change
Students who wish to progress to the Master's are required to write a dissertation based on original research on an agreed and appropriate subject. Dissertation students are given personal supervision and guidance.
Modules are regularly reviewed to ensure that they remain up to date and relevant, so some of them may change before the course starts or whilst you are on it, but the overall aims and broad content of the course will remain the same.
Full-time or part-time study
We anticipate that most students will study on a part-time basis over two academic years (plus time to write the dissertation) but full-time study over one year is possible. Full time students would attend on 20 two-day blocks - roughly two each month in term time - with additional academic support sessions in between.
Part-time students will normally take two modules each semester, four each year. Attendance will normally be 10 two-day blocks each year, with students expected to devote substantial amounts of their own time to guided and structured independent study. Also possible are more extended, flexible patterns of study, and fees are charged on a per module basis.
Teaching and learning
Teaching methods are varied depending on the module; lectures, project work and tutorials all have a part. Assessment is achieved through a balance of coursework and examinations. Examinations are held in either January or May/June. Coursework will be a variety of essays, reports, surveys, design projects or teamwork.
You are encouraged to do 'formative work' to prepare for assessments: this does not count towards your marks but the feedback which you receive will help you to improve your performance. Support is available for students who have difficulties with numeracy, IT, literacy and study skills.
The teaching staff provide a friendly, enabling environment for learning. They are also actively engaged in research or professional practice, ensuring that you learn directly from the latest academic and business developments.
The Graduate School
The Faculty's Graduate School was established in 2005. Its main purpose is to foster an active graduate community, encompassing students on postgraduate taught courses and students undertaking research degrees. There are currently around 700 postgraduate students (400 attending and 300 distance learning) on taught courses, and about 40 postgraduate research students. The Graduate School has dedicated space in the Faculty's building on the main campus, with teaching accommodation, a kitchen and informal areas. The work of the Graduate School is based on the Faculty's extensive research programmes, and on the innovativeness and high quality of its teaching. Student advisers for all postgraduate courses are located in the Graduate School Office, and they are your first point of contact if you have any problems or need information. The Student Handbook is also an essential source of information.
You may also use the well equipped laboratories for concrete and environmental services, environmental physics, earth sciences, spatial analysis (including mapping and Geographical Information Systems) and surveying technology, each with specialist technicians supporting both teaching and research. An audio-visual group provides support for photography, digital imaging, filming and sound recording.
The Faculty has invested in online and offline computer-based resources to support modules, and especially those offered by distance learning. You also have access to a vast number of journals and databases online through the Bristol UWE library. The library and some computer labs on campus are open 24 hours, and the Faculty's suite of computer rooms supports software for word processing, data analysis, spatial analysis, computer aided design and other specialist software required by our students.
Entry requirements
We normally require a first degree of 2:2 or above.
We welcome applications from students without the conventional entrance requirements but who do have substantial relevant work or other experience and whose motivation and skills would enable them to succeed on the course.
