Youth, Social and Community Studies

The FdSc Youth, Social and Community Studies course offers a contemporary, employer focused programme which combines core academic disciplines with practical, work-based learning. Suiting a range of career interests, this dynamic and diverse Foundation Degree aims to develop students skills to enable them to work with communities, young people and their families and associated services. Demand is growing for qualified practitioners working in children’s and young people’s services and within youth and community capacity; this course will boost employability as students will gain specialist knowledge and professional skills to progress into practice. A distinctive feature of this course is the practical, problem solving approaches nurtured in specific modules. Students develop these employability skills through health & wellbeing campaigns, reflections on leadership strategy and evaluations of inclusive working practice.

The course will be assessed through coursework and practical elements which will include: written assignments, including essays and reports, presentations, professional development portfolios and a research project. A balance between practical and academic assessment is a key feature of the programme, recognising the importance of nurturing student’s abilities in linking theory to practice, while developing practical, work-based skills, vital for employment. The assessment modes within this programme will promote self-growth, reflection and give guidance to students to develop their academic skills and ability to observe and gain the most out of their work-based learning opportunities. These skills are embedded throughout the programme, and made clear from the beginning, with the first-year module; Professional Skills and Digital Literacy.

Students completing the programme will be able to identify and evaluate key concepts in understanding human and social needs , describe and illustrate core social policy issues and critically evaluate professional, cultural and ethical aspects of leadership in relation to theoretical models, frameworks, and contemporary research.

Upon completion of the FdSc Youth, Social and Community Studies students may be suited to work in a variety of settings and these opportunities include, but are not limited to working in the following sectors:
· Community Work
· Social Care (Youth and Adult)
· Family Support Work
· Voluntary Sector
· Drug and Alcohol Services (including rehabilitation)
· Further Education & Student Services
· Social Enterprise Companies

Students who successfully compete the FdSc Youth, Social and Community Studies may progress onto the following Bachelor's Degree programmes:
• BSc (Hons) Applied Social Science top-up (University Centre Truro & Penwith)
• BA (Hons) Human Behavioural Studies top-up (University Centre Truro & Penwith)
• BSc (Hons) Sociology (University of Plymouth).