Adults Support, Protection and Safeguarding.

A Postgraduate / Post Qualification distance-learning course, to be studied part-time by people working in supervisory or professional positions in services for older people and adults with learning disabilities or mental health problems.

For further information on the course please contact Dr. Martin Campbell.

Course brochure (pdf)
Application form

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the programme?
What qualificiations are required for entry?
What level is the certificate qualification?
What is studied in the programme?

How long will it take to complete the programme?
Is it possible to take individual modules?

What assessment methods will be used?
What materials will be supplied, and what facilities will I need?
What Internet access will I have to resources?
When do the courses start?

How much will it cost?
Summary comparison table.

This is a postgraduate Certificate programme which is to be completed within one calendar year, either March-February or October-September.

Entry Qualifications

• a relevant first degree from a recognised University or other HEI OR
• an appropriate professional qualification (e.g. Social Work, Teaching, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy) OR
• substantial relevant work experience in a cognate discipline, together with at least three years' practical experience in the field, including staff supervisory or management experience.

What is the programme?

This is a distance learning course at Postgraduate Certificate level (SCQF 11) for people working in supervisory or professional positions in services for older people and adults with learning disabilities or mental health problems. The online open learning materials are written in an interactive style and are designed to encourage students to use their own workplace experiences as a basis for new learning and development of research skills. The programme is intended to be studied as a part-time qualification, over a period of 1 calendar year.

What qualificiations are required for entry?

For course entry, normally a degree from a recognised Higher Education Institution, acceptable to the University of St Andrews, or a professional qualification in social work, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, other professions allied to medicine, teaching, nursing, etc. or substantial relevant work experience in a cognate discipline, together with at least three years’ practical experience in the field in a supervisory or management position.

What level is the certificate qualification?

You will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate. This qualification will be at SCQF level 11/ SVQ5. For the Postgraduate Certificate, you will need to attain 60 postgraduate credits.

What is studied in the programme?

At Postgraduate Certificate level there are six modules as follows; each module is rated at 10 postgraduate credits.

Module 1: The Evidence on the Harm of Adults
Module 2: The Ecological Model of Adult Protection
Module 3: The Individual at Risk and Significant Others
Module 4: Protective Service Designs: The Setting and Service Agency
Module 5: Legislation, Policy, Culture and International Influences
Module 6: Case Study Analysis and Assessment

Further module details

How long will it take to complete the programme?

The Postgraduate Certificate programme is to be completed within one calendar year. The rate of progress through individual modules will depend on each student’s aptitude, and the amount of time available for study. As a rough guide, we estimate that each module in the Postgraduate Certificate course will need around 100 hours of total study time, including completion of assessments, i.e. 600 hours overall for the 6 modules.

Is it possible to take individual modules?

It is not possible to take individual modules on the Postgraduate Certificate course; all modules must be completed in the sequence described and no part credit will be available.

What assessment methods will be used?

There is no final exam in this course. There are a number of assessments in each module, to be completed online through the University of St Andrews Dynamic Learning Environment. Assessments for each module takes a number of forms - multiple choice questions, short answer assignments, reference searches, analysis of published research, case studies, etc.. Assessments are related to the main module materials, also delivered online, and additional reference materials to which students will be given access.

There is also a 4000 word written analysis of a case study to be completed. This is set against the background of research presented in the course material and requires additional research and related referencing.

What materials will be supplied, and what facilities will I need?

At Postgraduate Certificate level, modules will be available online via the University of St Andrews Dynamic Learning Environment. This will include research publications available as web-based resources. Password protected access to electronic databases will also be supplied. Students will also have full electronic access to the University of St Andrews library resources and access to other UK university libraries. You will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection, and a University of St Andrews email address will be supplied.

What Internet access will I have to resources?

You will be supplied with a personalised password and given Internet access to electronic resources via the library at University of St Andrews. These resources include electronic databases of published research journals, books, e-journals, exam papers and newspapers, national and international Library catalogues, search engines and subject resources.

When do the courses start?

There are two intakes per year; at the beginning of March and at the beginning of October. The final date for applications is 31st January for the March intake and 31st August for the October intake. Please note that there are a limited number of places on this course. All applications are processed on a first-come-first-served basis, and early application is recommended.

How much will it cost?

For UK and EU students, the cost for the one-year part-time Postgraduate Certificate programme will be £1,920, payable in advance. The cost for overseas students is available on request.

Summary table