FdSc Managing in Public Sector Services

Awarding Institution: University of Plymouth

Teaching Institution: Strode College (find in course list)

Accrediting Body: University of Plymouth

Final Award: FdSc

Intermediate Awards: Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE), Short Course Award, Certificate in Professional Development

Programme Title: Managing in Public Sector Services

The Public Sector is fundamental to the success of the economy in the south-west and is one of the largest employers. The sector is wide ranging in the career paths it offers which include:

• Uniformed services
• Regional and local government
• Health Service administration
• Social or Youth Work

There is a regional priority to upskill entrants to the public services and this qualification provides an ideal route into a number of careers.

This FdA can also be studied on a part-time basis and modular basis. For example students can complete the course in three or four years instead of two. Students gaining 120 Level 1 credits will be awarded a Cert HE qualification. It is also possible to take single modules without necessarily aiming to complete either the Cert HE or the FdA qualifications. A short course award may be available for 40 credits and a Certificate in Professional Development for 60 credits of learning.

This Foundation Degree is equivalent to the first two years of a full Honours degree. It is a full qualification in its own right but on completion it can be used to transfer to the third year of a full-time BSc course.This course will enable you to study the public services and the environment within which they operate. As well as increasing your knowledge you will be able to develop your critical, analytical and evaluative skills. This course is suitable for those wanting to enter work in a wide range of public service areas such as social work, youth work, victim support, teaching etc. or the uniformed public services.

Modules

Criminology and Community Safety
The focus of this module is to develop an awareness of situational and social approaches to crime prevention and reduction. It also provides an opportunity to examine recent developments in crime and disorder policy.

Major Incidents and Emergency Planning
The module provides an overview of the range of issues in Emergency Planning post 9/11 and its impact on the Public Services.

Media and Public Awareness
This module will develop your understanding of the impact that the media has on British Society and the implications for the public services.

Health and Fitness
The key focus of this module is the investigation of the theoretical principles of planning in order to implement and evaluate an individually tailored exercise plan in order to prepare physically for the public services.

Applied Psychology for the Public Services
Building on the individual, group and organisational behaviour modules this unit introduces the application of specific aspects of psychology such as memory, anti social behaviour and stress in the Public Services.

Managing People
This module provides students with the opportunity to focus on the principles of management and relate this to the management of people in the public services. It will explore team leadership and the skills and techniques required to work effectively within the public services sector.

Constitutional and Administrative Law
This module develops an understanding of the Constitution of Great Britain and how it regulates society and the administration of law. It will develop an understanding of the institutions of state and the relationships between the citizen and the state.

Organisational Behaviour
This unit introduces management practices in organisations, examines the internal nature of organisations from both a theoretical and practical viewpoint. It aspires to promote understanding of organisational behaviour and the significance of organisational designs and characteristics.

Individual and Group Behaviour
During this module an understanding of human resource management and the behaviour of individuals within an organisation is developed. This includes an understanding of individual and team motivation and leadership.

Society, Government and Politics
This module explores the relationship between society, government and the Public Services

Financial Resources
Financial planning, budgeting and understanding financial indicators are the focus of this unit which is designed to develop an understanding of the main sources of finance available to the public services.

Independent Research Project
This is an opportunity to plan, research, produce and reflect upon the findings of a research project relevant to the public services.

Research Methods
Research is an important skill, different research methods, ethical considerations, research design and interpreting data are considered in this module.

Progression Opportunities

The approved Honours degree progression route for this course is admission onto the third year of the BSc (Hons) Public Services course at Plymouth University.

Apply through UCAS or, for more information, please contact: