This MSc/PgDip Housing Studies (with internship) course will introduce you to the most up-to-date ideas and debates in housing and offered the opportunity to learn about the cutting edge of housing practice, including:
- providing housing services - housing intervention across tenure, accessing housing, rent arrears, welfare reform, homelessness, ethics and resilience
- sustainable communities - sustainable homes, development, fuel poverty, housing and inequality, place-making, community-led regeneration
- organisational behaviour – leadership, management, team work, organisational learning, cultural change, overcoming conflict
- finance and strategy – strategic planning, housing aspirations, needs and choices, housing finance, delivering affordable housing supply
- housing governance - housing policy analysis, legal framework for housing law, governance of housing
- healthy Housing – homelessness, ageing, health and wellbeing, social care
The Postgraduate Diploma is taught over one year full-time or 24 months part-time and you’ll study six academic modules.
Professional Practice
The course also includes a module on reflective practice, preparation for professional practice and attachment to a social landlord to facilitate workplace learning. These precede an internship of 50 days carried out over the academic year, arranged to suit both the employer and student where possible, linked to practical requirements of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
You can build up to the full Masters of 180 credits in stages, or exit at any stage and receive an award:
- six modules plus a dissertation for 180 credits (SCQF Level 11) – you’ll be awarded a Masters and will meet the requirements for corporate membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing
- six modules for 120 credits (SCQF Level 11) – you’ll be awarded Postgraduate Diploma and will meet the requirements for corporate membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing
- three modules for 60 credits (SCQF Level 11) – you’ll be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2021). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
Teaching
You’ll attend a virtual induction in September to start the course. Academic learning is then undertaken through a blend of occasional teaching sessions on campus with a significant element of online study giving you the ideal learning experience in a format which is accessible and engaging. If you are unable to join us at these live online sessions they will be recorded for you to watch at a time convenient to you.
Our blended model of delivery means you have flexibility about where and when you can study, and you do not need to travel to Stirling for online classes. Please ensure that your IT specification meets the requirements for the course. You can, however, access IT facilities on campus.
As attendance on campus is required sporadically across the year this study route is not eligible for sponsorship to study in the UK.
Assessment
Assessment takes a variety of forms including essays, reports, group work and a seminar presentation. Each module has one or two assessments rather than end of semester examinations.
Internships are assessed through a series of practice reports and a reflective practice diary.
Anyone who completes the Postgraduate Diploma requirements may register for a further period of study towards a Masters. This would require completion of either a research-based dissertation or the demonstration of advanced level reflective skills.
The research-based dissertation can be based on work undertaken as part of the internship period, simplifying the process of achieving a Masters.
Classroom hours
Classes are held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with the rest of the week for private study. Studying full-time equates to approximately 35 hours on average which includes all structured learning, personal study and assessments.
