Course information

Course highlights

• 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.
• Students choose 4 modules from 6, depending on areas of interest, and can complete these modules in any order.
• Students have full electronic access to the University of St Andrews library resources, including full text access to relevant academic journals and other online resources.
  

Teaching format

The Postgraduate Certificate in Adults with Learning Disabilities is a part-time distance learning course run by the School of Psychology and Neuroscience. The programme is intended to be studied within one calendar year from October to September.

The course is delivered via online modules through the University of St Andrews' online electronic platform. Students will have access to research publications, electronic databases, relevant research and good practice and the University's library resources.

Over the course of the programme, students will take four optional modules. It is possible to enrol for individual modules as stand-alone courses, or as a way of finding out whether the content and format of this distance learning programme is suitable for students' employment or career purposes. Typically, each module is completed within two months and requires between 90 and 120 hours of study time, including completion of assessments. Module teaching materials are delivered online where students will have access to additional reference materials.

Students complete assessments online. Assessment methods include multiple choice questions, short answer assignments, reference searches, analysis of published research and longer written pieces. There is no final exam for the course.

University tutors are available for support via email and telephone.

Further particulars regarding curriculum development.

Modules

Each module typically comprises:

• an introductory briefing day
• guided online teaching and learning materials
• 100% coursework assessment.

For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue.

Optional modules

Students choose four out of the following six modules:

• Challenging Behaviour: considers definitions of challenging behaviour and how such behaviour is conceptualised in modern theories.
• Mental Health: investigates how mental health difficulties reveal themselves in people with intellectual disabilities and how they may be diagnosed.
• Offenders with Learning Disabilities: investigates how services support people who have an intellectual disability and/or mental health condition and who have either been convicted of an offence indicating a risk to the public or have exhibited behaviour indicating pro-active management is required.
• Profound and Multiple Disabilities: aims to increase understanding of the complex social and health care needs of adults with profound and multiple intellectual disabilities.
• Adult Support and Protection (formerly Vulnerability, Victimisation and Abuse): investigates the history of and settings for victimisation and abuse of vulnerable individuals, in the context of adult support and protection.
• Older People with Learning Disabilities: investigates knowledge and skills needed to support people with intellectual disabilities as they get older and in their later years with respect to their social and health needs (including dementia).

The modules listed ran in the academic year 2015-2016 and are indicative of this course. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2016 entry.

Take a look at the most up to date modules in the module catalogue.

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).