Programme Structure
You’ll learn how to work with people and groups to engage them in lifelong learning.
- Video: Introduction to MA Learning in Communities
- Programme Co-Director, Dr Gary Fraser, introduces the MA Learning in Communities, a new professionally-endorsed qualification which builds on the expertise of our former BA Community Education, enabling graduates to apply for a range of careers in community learning and development. https://www.ed.ac.uk/education/undergraduate/degree-programmes/learning-communities
In Scotland, Community Learning and Development (CLD) brings community-based adult learning, youth work and community capacity building together under a single professional rubric.
Known as the empowering profession, CLD is an informal educational practice that seeks to serve people in communities.
Drawing on a range of concepts and approaches, practitioners work alongside individuals and groups to engage them in lifelong learning. They help people think critically about their world and bring about change in their lives, communities and society. Practitioners seek to help people learn about and build vibrant democratic cultures in their communities and wider society, and to work towards social justice.
If you’re committed to social justice and want to develop your knowledge and skills in working with young people and adults in communities, this programme is ideal. You’ll leave with the skills to drive change and help people and communities achieve their full potential.
This programme provides a well-rounded, rigorous grounding in education and the social sciences. We seek to develop your understanding of the complex and dynamic relationship between theory, policy and practice. Work-based learning placements provide you with experience in the field.
Programme structure
This is a full-time, degree based at our campus in Edinburgh. Although campus-based, the programme includes some elements of blended learning.
As standard, students will enter on the four-year degree programme, graduating with an MA (Hons) degree. However, we understand that students have different needs and career and academic goals, so there is an option for students to exit at the end of year three with a BA (Ord) degree.
Find details of the programme structure for each year of study on the University's Degree Finder page:
Programme Structure / Entry requirements
We deliver four distinct learning strands focused on:
- informal educational methods and approaches
- theoretical ideas and conceptual frameworks
- research capacity
- professional practice placement experiences
Research and current practice inform all our teaching. You will graduate with a broad range of knowledge and skills to work alongside people in communities. You’ll be prepared for a range of
education and development jobs in the public, voluntary and third sectors.
Our teaching staff have extensive practice experience in diverse settings. They also contribute to both the academic literature and research knowledge in this dynamic field. Staff draw on this experience and knowledge to inform students' teaching and learning experience.
This programme has two possible exit routes leading to two qualifications:
- BA (Ordinary) SCQF 9 - exit after Year 3
- MA (Honours) SCQF 10 - exit after Year 4
The BA (Ord) Learning in Communities degree, awarded after three years of study, is professionally approved by the Community Learning and Development Standards Council for Scotland (CLDSCS). The UK-wide Joint Education and Training Standards (JETS) also recognises the degree, so it meets the standards in the rest of the UK.
Community Learning and Development Standards Council for Scotland
Joint Education and Training Standards
Students can also graduate after Year 4 with an MA (Hons) Learning in Communities degree. However, you must complete the first three years of study, leading to the BA (Ord) degree, to progress to Year 4 and graduate with the MA (Hons). This is unconditional.
All MA (Hons) Learning in Communities graduates will be professionally qualified and eligible to register with the CLDSCS.
You will undertake three practice-based learning placements in Years 1, 2 and 3 of study. There is no placement requirement in Year 4.
Placement gives you the chance to develop the skills, attitudes, competence and values you’ll need in the workplace..
Placements take place in a range of settings that represent the diverse scope of CLD practice. This will help prepare you for the roles you may take on after graduation.
You must complete 370 placement hours. You will be on placement in Semester 2 of each year and will normally attend your placement on a part-time basis three days per week, for 17 weeks. You will have access to an extensive range of appropriate placements.
Your family commitments, learning and development needs, professional interests and career aspirations will be considered as far as possible when identifying your placement.
Placement identification begins with a one-to-one meeting between you and a programme tutor. While on placement, you will work closely alongside and receive support from a placement supervisor. Supervisors are professionally qualified, experienced practitioners who have completed the University’s placement supervisor training programme.
Whilst a University tutor will offer support on placement, the crucial element of each placement is the relationship between you and your placement supervisor.