skip to content

University of the West of Scotland


Courses

Careers Guidance and Development

COURSE NOW FULL FOR 2010 ENTRY

The provision of career guidance has become increasingly complex in the light of rapid changes in the labour market, education and training. Career practitioners are expected to provide accurate and up-to-date advice on employment, education and training opportunities to an ever-widening client group, from young people making their first career decisions, or students in tertiary education, to adults including women returners and those facing redundancy or career change.

Career practitioners are also increasingly being expected to offer extra support to clients who are experiencing additional difficulties in entering or retaining employment, education and training.

This course combines periods of University-based study with a range of work-based activities. Placements are arranged in schools, colleges, local regeneration companies, social inclusion projects and training providers. In addition to these arrangements, students on the full-time programmeundertake 6 weeks of placement (in October, November and March) in a guidance organisation, usually a Skills Development Scotland centre. The Masters degree is designed to articulate with the Postgraduate Diploma to allow guidance workers to undertake research and evaluation of their work as part of their ongoing professional development.

Throughout the course there is a strong focus on practice-based learning, personal reflection and critical analysis of practice. All of the modules in the programme are also available in e-learning mode, enabling candidates from throughout the UK to access the programme through the University’s Virtual Learning Environment, Blackboard.

Funding

Funding for full and part-time study of this programme is offered on a competitive basis by SAAS (Student Awards Agency for Scotland). You should apply for a place on the programme using the University’s postgraduate & post-experience application form (downloadable at www.uws.ac.uk/apply). Based on your qualifications, experience and your eligibility, you may be nominated by the University for SAAS funding for study and a SAAS funding application form will be sent out to you.

Course Contents

Certificate and Diploma
The Certificate consists of 3 modules and the Diploma 6. At these levels students will study a range of core topics including professional and reflective practice and the theories which underpin thinking on career choice, career development and career decision-making. Other modules cover such areas as labour market intelligence and the policy context for the development and delivery of career education and guidance.

Modules include:
• Professional Practice 1
• Professional Practice 2
• Career-related Policy
• Career Development Theory
• Reflective Guidance Practice
• Labour Market Studies

MSc

Students wishing to continue their professional development have the opportunity to undertake up to 2 years of further part-time study towards the MSc. There are 2 routes, one focusing on research, which involves the completion of a Dissertation, while the second route is based on taught modules in Advanced Professional Practice and Communities and Networks and Partnerships. Entry to the MSc is restricted to holders of the Postgraduate Diploma in Career Guidance or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Institute of Career Guidance.

Part-time and e-learning

Those who are employed in a career or educational guidance setting may wish to study for the Certificate, Diploma or MSc on a part-time or e-learning basis. The employing organisation will be required to provide a mentor and an assessor (normally another employee with guidance experience) and allow time to attend placements, including a 2-week placement in the second year of the programme.

Funding

The full-time Diploma carries SAAS funding for eligible applicants. Contact Programme Leaders for details.

Career Prospects

Students undertaking the Diploma are qualified to work as career guidance practitioners in any guidance setting in the UK, including Skills Development Scotland and Connexions services in England. Around a third to a half of students who complete the programme find work in other guidance organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Professional Recognition

The Postgraduate Diploma is professionally accredited by the Institute of Career Guidance. This professional qualification is based around completion of a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate how students have developed their knowledge and skills. It has a work-based focus, where much of the learning is achieved through a series of individual learning and assessment opportunities provided through placements.

CAMPUS

  • Paisley

QUALIFICATION & DURATION

  • PG Diploma - (FT) 1 Year
  • PG Diploma - (PT) 2 Years
  • PG Certificate - (PT) 2 Years
  • MSc - (PT) additional 2 years

LINKS

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

  • The normal entrance requirement for the Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma is a degree or similar qualification. However, applications from candidates who do not possess these may also be considered. Such applicants may have completed a workplace qualification such as an S/NVQ in Advice and Guidance, and in all cases should be able to demonstrate appropriate knowledge, skills, experience and maturity, and satisfy the University that they have the potential to reach the academic standards required of a course at postgraduate level.

    The University welcomes applications from a wide variety of backgrounds, including those groups which have been traditionally under-represented in the career guidance profession.

    Additionally, applicants for the part-time Certificate and Diploma are expected to be employed for the whole duration of their course in a career or educational guidance context, or in an organisation whose main function is to give educational or careers guidance to adults.

CONTACT

FURTHER INFORMATION