Housing Studies (Part-time)

Housing is fundamental to wellbeing, yet only a small proportion of staff have a professional qualification. Our housing programmes contribute to improving housing services and systems. Our experienced team is committed to professional education in housing.

The part-time Diploma is geared to the specific strengths and study needs of those already working in housing, who are seeking a professional qualification in Housing Studies. Students are usually sponsored by their employers.

Programme Objectives

This programme is aimed at employees working in housing who wish to move towards a professional qualification and to enhance their career prospects. It combines academic study with reflection on work experience to ensure that you gain the ability to be competent and effective housing practitioners.

You can opt to undertake one year of study for the Certificate in Housing Studies or embark on the two year Diploma programme. Either way you have options:

• If you opt for the Certificate you can decide to stay on and do the Diploma at the end of the year. You can also graduate with the Certificate and come back at some point in the future to do the Diploma year
• You can embark on the two year Diploma and decide to stop at the end of first year, take a break and complete later

On successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma you will have satisfied all academic and most of the practical requirements for corporate membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).

Entrance Requirements

Applicants for the programme should be graduates, although non-graduates with previous work experience will be considered. Students are usually working in housing and sponsored by their employers.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (minimum 6 in each skill) or TOEFL 577/233/90 (Paper/Computer/Internet).

Funding

Students are normally sponsored by their employers.

Modes of Study

Part-time: one year for the Certificate
                  two years for the Diploma

Taught via elearning to students working remotely, online. Three attendance elements are required: at induction; for mid-point review and reflection; and for project presentation and conclusion. Other days in the university are arranged to support individual modules.

Programme Start Date

Part-time (online): September

Structure and Content

The Postgraduate Diploma is taught over four academic semesters (two years), with the reflective practice element undertaken during the summer.

In year one (Certificate year) you will study:

• The Provision of Housing Services: explores the broad context for the provision and consumption of housing in the UK, with a particular emphasis on social housing
• Issues of Sustainability and Housing Development: examines the processes for housing development, design and construction in relation to the physical and social environments
• Management of Housing Organisations: explores organisation and management theory and practice for housing, its application to the work environment and the delivery of housing services
• Housing Renewal and Community Regeneration: aims to develop your understanding of the theory and practice in housing renewal, regeneration and the development of sustainable communities

In year two (Diploma year):

During the summer vacation between years one and two, you undertake a reflective practice module, drawing on your work experience to date. This reflective practice module is linked to the practical requirements of the Chartered Institute of Housing. In year two you will study:

• Paying for Housing: examines how housing is paid for in the socially rented, privately rented and home ownership sectors
• Housing Policy and Strategic Planning: examines the theory and practice of the policy process (including legislation) and strategic management for housing organisations
• Research and Information for Housing: examines the information requirements of housing organisations, the application of information in practice, and the value of research in housing
• Housing, Health and Wellbeing: aims to develop your understanding of the links between housing, health and wellbeing and the importance of inter-professional working, with particular emphasis on client groups with specific housing needs

You may also opt into a further reflective practice module and an advanced professional skills block programme on the future prospects for housing in Scotland.

Students successfully completing the Diploma may proceed to the MSc by undertaking original research on an agreed housing topic. You normally re-register for a further year and submit a dissertation by the end of year three. Students who do not complete the Diploma programme may be considered for award of the Postgraduate Certificate in Housing Studies.

Delivery and Assessment

You will attend University for an initial induction block and then study online at any suitable workstation.

For details of requirements for workstations, visit: www.is.stir.ac.uk/docs/webct/students/spec.pdf

Online learning time will be equivalent to one day per week, plus additional private study time and time for writing assignments, supported by occasional residential blocks. The summer vacation module is largely self-directed learning, with supervision.

The Postgraduate Diploma programme is continually assessed and there are no examinations. Assessment takes a variety of forms – written and oral, individual and collective, academic and professional.

The reflective practice module requires the maintenance of a reflective diary over 12 weeks and an assessment of professional skills development.

Support for the MSc, usually in a third year of study, is delivered through a combination of personal supervision and learning materials accessed through WebCT. It is assessed through a dissertation of 15,000 words.

Timetable

Contact the School for information on your timetable and reading lists.

RAE Rating

In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), 95 percent of the research in Applied Social Science at Stirling was ‘Internationally Excellent’ with the top 10 percent of that judged to be ‘World-leading’.

Career Opportunities

Stirling graduates have a strong track record of making rapid career progress on completion of the Diploma. Potential career opportunities include management in housing organisations, specialist research and policy and strategy work. Increasingly, there are opportunities linked to key government initiatives and policy areas.