Truro and Penwith College

FdSc Youth, Social and Community Studies

Institution code T85
Duration

4 years

Course type

Part-time

Study location Truro and Penwith College
Rated Ofsted Outstanding (2016), Truro and Penwith College provides a range of quality degree courses with employer needs in mind. All students benefit from an excellent support network that helps to put them on the best footing for a successful future after graduating. Finding themselves at home in purpose-built buildings with expert lecturers and access to industry-standard equipment, students can study a quality university course right here in Cornwall.
A variety of people enter higher education with an assortment of experiences and commitments, but with the flexibility at the heart of our programmes, the College offers a compressed timetable and small class sizes to allow students to study in a relaxed and supportive environment. Whatever your background, studying University courses at Truro and Penwith College means an opportunity to study locally, the chance to fit home or part-time work around your lectures and the one thing all our students have in common – the shared experiences of a quality education right here in Cornwall.
For more information visit the Truro and Penwith College website.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • Core modules

    TRUR1226
    Professional Skills & Digital Literacy

    In accordance with current digital strategies and frameworks, this module builds the core professional, academic and digital skills required of students embarking on undergraduate studies and work-based learning. Focusing on the relationship between academic and critical thinking skills, personal and professional development, digital well-being and online identity and inclusivity and digital literacy.

    TRUR1227
    Understanding Communities and Society

    This module provides the foundations of social theory and understanding in the construction and dynamics of communities, and society. The module highlights how culture, beliefs, social, political and economic factors affect people through life courses and the communities in which they live.

    TRUR1231
    Professional Practice (Work Placement)

    This module focuses on work-placement within a social, community, youth or associated context, linking theory and practice. The principles of professional engagement and the application of codes of practice in the workplace are central to this module. The module provides an opportunity for students to evidence their personal development, professional skills and knowledge of professional practice.

  • Year 2

  • Core modules

    TRUR1228
    Working in Partnership to Support the Foundations of Mental Health

    This module offers an introduction to the knowledge necessary for people to work effectively with individuals and other practitioners to support the foundations of positive mental health. It examines the main classifications of mental illness and the organisations which deal with mental health care. The module evaluates models of mental health informing mental health practice.

    TRUR1229
    Introducing Issues in Social Policy

    This module provides students with an introduction to the development of social policy in Britain, investigating a range of social and political issues relating to social welfare. Students will develop a fundamental understanding of social policy, and how theory in relation to these policies translates into policy formation and service delivery.

    TRUR1230
    Developmental Perspectives and Youth

    This module provides a framework to explore the personal and social aspects of human development, examining continuity and change through the lens of youth. This cross-disciplinary module considers aspects of physical, mental, social and emotional development. This will include physical health, exercise, social and emotional development.

  • Year 3

  • Core modules

    TRUR2222
    Leadership in Youth, Social and Community Organisations

    This module develops an understanding of theories of leadership, and the organisation of professional practice. Students will develop key skills and understanding of youth, social and community organisations, and will have the opportunity to explore emergent theory and practical factors such as mentoring arrangements, group structures, staff development and the leadership of change.

    TRUR2224
    Culture and Identity in a Knowledge Economy

    This module examines the evolving nature of culture and identity, work and employment as knowledge economies move into the fourth industrial revolution. Focusing on the relationship between personal and collective identities and how people’s experiences of these are represented, contested and resisted, students investigate the opportunities and challenges of living in a knowledge economy.

    TRUR2225
    Critical Professional Practice (Work Placement)

    This module provides students an opportunity to use and develop practice skills, analysing their own practice in relation to workplace strategies centred around empowerment, equality, anti-discriminatory practice, and informal learning. Students are expected to critically reflect on their learning and identify areas for further developing professional practice.

  • Final year

  • Core modules

    TRUR2220
    Applied Research Practice in the Community

    This module develops an understanding of research methods to enable you, as students and practitioners to undertake a small-scale research project within your practice context. It introduces research methods and methodologies and requires students to undertake a piece of primary research on a topic of their choice.

    TRUR2221
    Developing Wellbeing in the Community

    This module critically analyses the theory and practice of how supporting health and wellbeing transitions can be built into practice. This module explores differing ideological perceptions in relation to the concept of community then, through these theoretical insights, examines the key practical imperatives within community work management and practice.

    TRUR2223
    Contemporary Social Problems & Social Policy

    This module extends key contexts and practices of social policy, focusing on how and why specific social issues, such as poverty, youth unemployment and environmental justice, become identified as ‘social problems’ and the evaluation of contemporary social policy. Theoretical notions of inequality, conflict and power are explored, unpacking the links between contemporary theory and social policy.

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Fees, costs and funding

As this course is delivered by one of our partner colleges, please contact the college directly for information on fees and funding.

* UK Government announcement on tuition fees

On Monday 4 November 2024, the UK Government announced a proposal to increase tuition fees for home undergraduate students from £9,250 to £9,535 per annum from September 2025 onwards. The University of Plymouth intends to apply this new fee from September 2025. However, implementation of this increase will be subject to parliamentary procedure. This change applies to new students starting their studies in September 2025. For current and returning students, the University is reviewing fees and will update you as soon as possible.

How to apply

For further information and to apply for this course, please contact the college's admissions team directly using the contact details below. 

Progression routes

Completing this course enables you to progress onto these related courses and programmes with the University of Plymouth at level 5 or level 6, as specifically defined by this programme’s progression agreement.

For further information, including the progression from foundation degree form, please visit https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/business-partners/partnerships/academic-partnerships/study-guide/progression-to-honours-degree

Our partnership with Truro and Penwith College

The University of Plymouth has developed partnerships with institutions around the world with the sole purpose of making higher education more accessible to those people who need something just a little different.

Our Academic Partnerships enable students to enrol for a degree at a partnership institution closer to home, or engage in distance learning – even when they’re in the middle of the ocean. They are there for those people looking to return to education, or enhance their professional development. Full- or part-time; foundation degree to masters-level – we cater for a huge variety of needs and aspirations.

Many of our partners offer specialist degrees, unique facilities, and smaller class sizes at a competitive price. And as a student of two institutions, you get the best of both worlds; a supportive learning environment as part of a close-knit community, and a university-level qualification awarded by the University of Plymouth. You’ll enjoy not only the facilities and services your partnership institution provides, but also all of the additional support and resources you need from us, and you’ll automatically become a member of our Students’ Union, too.

We are continuing to grow the number of partner institutions and expand our academic community to new locations around the UK and overseas. Why not visit the Academic Partnerships page on our website for a full list of partners and for more details on studying with us?

One of our partners delivers this particular course – so please visit their website for full course details, entry requirements, tuition fees and information on what student life is like there. 

Please contact Truro and Penwith College to apply for this course:

Truro and Penwith College
College Road
Truro
TR1 3XX

Tel: +441872267000
Email: enquiry@truro-penwith.ac.uk

Open days

Partner college open days

This course is run at one of our partner colleges. Open days are held at the college and more details of these can be found on the college website. You'll find contact details below, on this page.

University of Plymouth open days

You are also very welcome to attend a University of Plymouth open day, to get a flavour of the courses you can progress to from a partner college. There will however be limited information on this specific course and college.

Studying with Truro and Penwith College

We’re one of the leading colleges in the country, delivering teaching and learning to the highest level. With three modern campuses at Truro, Penwith (at Penzance) and Tregye, we provide you with a unique university experience.
Plymouth students working on a group project