BA Community Education
University of the West of Scotland
About this course
BA (Hons) Community Education is a social work degree centred on professional practice in community learning and development, youth work, and adult education. Approximately forty percent of learning is undertaken in practice settings. The course is professionally accredited with the CLD Standards Council and aligns with the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Youth and Community Work, offering specialisms in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
An offer of a place on the BA (Hons) Community Education is made on the basis of: your application; you successfully passing the BA (Hons) Community Education study interview for all Year 3 applicants; you possessing current membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme (which includes a criminal records check by Disclosure Scotland) Applicants who do not meet the entry criteria but hold similar childcare qualifications, together with relevant work experience, are encouraged to contact us for advice on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for entry to second and third year of the course. Find out more about RPL by viewing our Handbook on the page linked to below: View UWS's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Handbook (pdf) | Year 1 -- Scottish Highers: Standard Entry Requirements: BBBB (108 UCAS Tariff points) including English; Minimum Entry Requirements: CCC (63 UCAS Tariff points) including English; Alternative Minimum Entry Requirements: CC (42 UCAS Tariff points), including English, PLUS successful completion of one of the following: UWS Foundation Academy Foundation Apprenticeship UWS Next Steps to University module Top-Up LEAPS; A Levels: BCC (112 UCAS Tariff points) including English; Irish Leaving Certificate: H1 H2 H2 H2 including English; International Baccalaureate: 24 points; Scottish Wider Access Programme: Access to Humanities; Access to Social Work; Both with Grades BBB; SQA HNC / BTEC Level 4 HNC: Social Services; Counselling | Year 2 -- Scottish Advanced Highers: BCC (128 UCAS Tariff points); A Levels: BBB (120 UCAS Tariff points); T Level: Full T-Level with Grade M (120 UCAS Tariff points); SQA HNC / BTEC Level 4 HNC: Additional Support Needs; Childhood Practice; Community Arts; Social Care; Social Sciences †; Social Services; Sport in Communities; Working in/with Communities; all with Grade B in Graded Unit; † application will be considered with suitable practical experience | Year 3 -- All applicants to Year 3 will be interviewed by the Programme Leader.; SQA HND:: Additional Support Needs; Community Arts; Social Care; Social Science; Sport in Communities; Working in/with Communities; All with Grade B in the Graded Unit | Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme (PVG) -- Successful applicants who gain a place on this course will need to register on the PVG Scheme, managed and delivered by Disclosure Scotland. An application form will be sent from the University once you have accepted your offer. The fee for joining the scheme is £59.; Visit the Disclosure Scotland website for more information on the PVG scheme.
What students say
Based on about 11 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 88%
- Assessment and feedback: 77%
- Academic support: 54%
- Organisation and management: 23%
- Learning resources: 72%
- Student voice: 51%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started
- Continued on course: 70%
- Gained a higher qualification: 5%
- Left higher education: 25%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 12 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 5%
Most common jobs
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 60%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 80%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 125 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- South East: 1%
- Scotland: 99%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started
- A levels: 40%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 50%
- Other qualifications: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Approved by the Standards Council for Community Learning and Development for Scotland.
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Community Education at University of the West of Scotland earn?
The median salary is £38,500 after 15 months, £30,500 after 3 years, £33,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,500 and £39,000. The £33,500 median after five years is £3,500 more than the UK median for Social work.
What do graduates of BA Community Education at University of the West of Scotland do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Community Education at University of the West of Scotland?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Community Education at University of the West of Scotland?
The typical offer is BCC at A level, or 24 points in the IB. The average entrant had 96 UCAS points.
Is BA Community Education at University of the West of Scotland accredited?
Yes. Approved by the Standards Council for Community Learning and Development for Scotland.
How many students continue on BA Community Education at University of the West of Scotland?
70% of students continued into their second year, and 25% left higher education.