Housing Studies (Part Time, Online) MSc/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate

www.dass.stir.ac.uk

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 are 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 become professionally qualified 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. 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). The Chartered Institute of Housing is the professional body for housing and validates the Stirling housing studies programme.

Entrance Requirements

Applicants for the programme should be graduates, although non-graduates with previous work experience will be considered.

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: 2 years

Taught via e-learning to students working remotely, online. Three attendance elements are required: at induction; for mid-point review and reflection; and for project presentation and conclusion.

Programme Start Date

September

Programme Director

Dr Madhu Satsangi

Department of Applied Social Science

Structure and Content

The Postgraduate Diploma is taught over four academic semesters, with the reflective practice placement undertaken during the Summer vacation. In year one, you will study:

• The Provision of Housing Services: this modules 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: This modules examines the processes for housing development, design and construction in relation to the physical and social environments.
• Management of Housing Organisations: This module 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: This module develops your understanding of the theory and practice in housing renewal, regeneration and the development of sustainable communities.

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: This module examines how housing is paid for in the socially rented, privately rented sectors and in home ownership.
• Housing Policy and Strategic Planning: This module examines the theory and practice of the policy process (including legislation) and strategic management for housing organisations.
• Research and Information for Housing: This module examines the information requirements of housing organisations, the application of information in practice, and the value of research in housing.
• Housing, Health and Wellbeing: This module develops 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, which includes a residential field trip 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 (the University's online learning environment). It is assessed through a dissertation of 15,000 words.

Timetable

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

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.

Research Opportunities

Our researchers, including postgraduates, form a network of research connections across the Department. Much research is underpinned by study of policy formation, implementation and the evaluation of services e.g. in social work and health-related fields. We also undertake basic and strategic research, emphasising relevance to users. We have significant strength in both quantitative and qualitative research. We aim to provide you with the necessary support and supervision to complete a PhD within three years.

Our research strategy and ethos emphasise the communication of research findings to various audiences, including policy-makers in local government, practitioners and service users. The promotion of research-based policy and practice is greatly assisted by our wide-ranging and close links with policy-makers and practitioners at local, national and international levels.

We currently have more than 30 ongoing research projects, including:

• Food Practices in an Institutional Context: Children, Care and Control (ESRC)
• Coordination of Programmes in Children (Department for Education and Skills)
• Someone to talk to: Public Views and Experiences of Emotional Support in the UK (ESRC)
• The Family Life Project: A Qualitative Longitudinal
• Study of Children’s Experiences of Family Life in the Context of Parental Drug Use (Department of Health)

Find out about these projects and others at: www.dass.stir.ac.uk

Doctor of Applied Social Research (DASR)
This programme is for professionals who may need to commission, evaluate, direct, administer or design research into aspects of the applied social sciences. It is directed towards analysis of policy, practice and the development of professional practice. Taught modules focus on aspects of social science research, also emphasising the critical understanding of research and research methods.

RAE Rating

The UK-wide Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) confirmed the quality of the work being done by our researchers. 85% of the University of Stirling’s research has been judged to be internationally excellent and internationally recognised, with the top 10% of that judged to be world class.

View the full outcomes of Stirling’s RAE performance

Use the online enquiry service to find out more or to request a prospectus.

If you are ready to apply you can fill out an online application form now.