Professional Studies (Deafblind Studies) - CPS / DPS
Currently viewing course to start in 2023/24 Entry. Switch to 2024/25 Entry
The Certificate in Professional Studies (Deafblind Studies) course is based on the belief that all people living with deafblindness have a right to be supported by professionals who have the requisite knowledge and skills to provide high quality service....
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Part Time
- Location Online Learning
- Award CPS / DPS
- Start date March 2024
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Education and Social Work
- Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
The Certificate in Professional Studies (Deafblind Studies) course is based on the belief that all people living with deafblindness have a right to be supported by professionals who have the requisite knowledge and skills to provide high quality service. It has been designed and developed by some of the most experienced practitioners and academics in the field of deafblindness, and is enhanced by the inclusion of teaching materials created by those with lived experience of deafblindness.
The course aims to meet the requirements relating to the care and support of deafblind people under the Care Act 2014 (England) and the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014 (Wales).
What's covered in this course?
The course will cultivate your knowledge and skills to be able to develop, challenge and question contemporary practice in the context of supporting deafblind children and adults. You will develop an in-depth yet foundational knowledge of both congenital and acquired deafblindness. You will cover the definitions of the condition, its causes and the impact of the impairment, paying particular attention to the substantial diversity of the deafblind population. You will explore the impact of deafblindness on communication, movement, mobility and orientation, and consider how an understanding of this impact informs care and support provision. The course also covers relevant law and public policy, as it applies to deafblind people, their rights and their needs.
Helen Keller, author, disability rights advocate, political activist and perhaps one of the world’s most well-known deafblind people described life as either a daring adventure or nothing at all. The Certificate and Diploma in Professional Studies (Deafblind Studies) play an important role in equipping the workforce with the knowledge and skills to support deafblind people to enjoy this daring adventure
Dr Peter Simcock, Course Lead.
Why Choose Us?
- The most experienced practitioners and academics in the field of deafblindness have pooled knowledge and resources to produce the best materials and teaching the field can offer, enhanced by the inclusion of material from those with lived experience of deafblindness.
- You will gain the knowledge and skills required to meet statutory requirements and duties in England and Wales in relation to those with deafblindness.
- The course draws on research material from across the world, especially the Nordic countries, USA and Canada, recognising the contributions these particular countries have made to the knowledge and evidence base in the field.
- You will consider the particular needs of diverse groups of deafblind people, a population known to be highly heterogeneous.
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2023/24.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
Essential requirements
UK students
| CERTIFICATE APPLICANTS need evidence of one of: |
|---|
|
GCSE at grade 4 or above in English Language (or equivalent e.g. GCSE grade C, key skills level 2, adult literacy level 2 or CSE grade 1 will be accepted). |
| PLUS ONE of the following |
|
| OR |
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For applicants with relevant and significant work experience in the deafblind sector: students can be admitted to a particular undergraduate or postgraduate course through the formal recognition of prior certificated learning (RPCL) or prior experiential learning (RPEL). |
| DIPLOMA APPLICANTS |
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For the Diploma in Professional Studies, it is also a requirement to have passed the Certificate in Professional Studies (Deafblind Studies). |
| Additional entry requirements: |
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| Additional requirements for international students: |
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If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall (or equivalent) is required. |
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: CPS
Starting: Mar 2024
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Part Time
- 38 weeks
- £783 per 20 credit module
Award: DPS
Starting: Mar 2024
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Part Time
- 38 weeks
- £783 per 20 credit module
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: CPS
Starting: Mar 2024
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Part Time
- 38 weeks
- £783 per 20 credit module
Award: DPS
Starting: Mar 2024
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Part Time
- 38 weeks
- £783 per 20 credit module
The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
Guidance for International students
There are three ways to apply:
1) Direct to the University
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
2) Through a country representative
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
3) Through UCAS
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
All applicants must have access to, and be able to use broadband internet and e-mail facilities, as this course is delivered through these media.
Course in Depth
Diploma
This module aims to consolidate and build upon knowledge obtained in the understanding deafblindness module in the Certificate in Professional Studies (Deafblind Studies). You will have opportunity to explore the functional and clinical assessments used in the investigation of sensory function and sensory integration and demonstrate ability to interpret audiometric and ophthalmic reports. In turn, you will extend your knowledge of how outcomes of such assessments inform the design of strategies to support a deafblind person’s access to communication, mobility and information.
This module aims to develop your ability to evaluate and critically analyse information including, the impact of progressive and changing sensory impairment on those who are deafblind; the psycho-social impact of deafblindness on the individual, their families and support network and how the effectiveness of support strategies can be measured and prioritised.
This module has been designed to consolidate knowledge obtained in the Certificate in Professional Studies (Deafblind Studies) ‘Understanding communication, movement and mobility’ module. The module will equip you with knowledge of human communication, linguistics, interaction, mobility, movement and orientation. Furthermore, you will consider how these factors are impacted by deafblindness and the support available to maintain a deafblind person’s communication, movement, mobility and orientation. This will include a consideration of the impact of sensory, social and educational histories on a deafblind person.
It is expected that you will evaluate and critically consider the appropriateness of chosen communication methods and how assessment of linguistic and communication needs of deafblind people informs effective intervention. More specifically, you will critically analyse the movement, mobility and orientation needs of deafblind people and evaluate the impact of the nature of the deafblindness, and other relevant circumstances. In turn, you will explore how to encourage ownership of chosen communication methods, the use of resources, training, technology, and Language Service Professionals by a deafblind person.
The module requires you to demonstrate the application of your learning over the course of your studies within your own work setting thus ensuring that deafblind people have the recognition and support necessary to be equal citizens.
You will explore models of reflection, reflective and critically reflective writing, and research and evidence informed approaches to professional practice.
In the module, you will focus on your own practice, and draw upon relevant evidence to inform a project or piece of development work for the benefit of deafblind people, within which you will reflect upon the impact of the programme on your professional competence and capability. This includes reflection upon the rationale for the work, what happened and evaluation of the impact of the work upon deafblind people.
Certificate
This module has been designed to equip you with knowledge about human communication and interaction, movement, mobility and orientation, how these are impacted by deafblindness, and the support that may be needed to develop and maintain deafblind people’s communication, movement, mobility and orientation. This includes the components of human communication, processes of language development and the impact of deafblindness on existing and established communication methods, and the impact of both multiple conditions and the environment on deafblind people’s movement, mobility and orientation skills.
You will cover the impact of deafblindness on socialisation, and explore wider factors impacting upon deafblind people’s communication, including motivation, fatigue and physical ability. The module also covers the important role that touch plays in deafblind people’s communication. You will explore both the impact of congenital deafblindness on the acquisition of movement, mobility and orientation skills, and the impact of acquired deafblindness on these skills.
The module will also cover the function and application of a range of communication methods that deafblind people may adopt, and the various methods used to support the development or maintenance of movement, mobility and orientation skills. This will enable you to explain the approaches practitioners need to take in order to support deafblind people to participate as full citizens, in the context of their communication and mobility.
This module has been designed to equip you with the necessary knowledge of societal factors, values and civil rights agenda as they apply to the full and active citizenship of deafblind people. This includes personal and social attitudes, and consideration of the tensions that may emerge from a rights based approach, particularly in the context of limited resources and political agendas.
You will cover aspects of citizenship, and health, education and social care legislation and guidance, exploring how this may impact on the lives of deafblind individuals, their families and carers, and how values and attitudes influence the development and use of such legislation and guidance.
The module will also explore the range of services and mechanisms that enable deafblind people, their families and carers to maximise opportunities for participation, achievement of entitlements and access of appropriate resources and support. This will enable you to describe the key features of available support and to analyse how different support services, and their legal underpinning, are apposite to diverse groups of deafblind people.
This module has been designed to provide knowledge of the categories, characteristics, main causes and terminology associated with deafblindness. This includes a requirement to learn about the structures and functions of near and distance senses and the factors that can adversely affect these senses.
This module also aims to develop your ability to evaluate and analyse the key factors which impact on deafblind people and apply these skills to a practice scenario. Moreover, you will analyse how internal and external factors such as the environment, ongoing changes in condition, communication, mobility, access to information and assumptions about deafblindness can enable and or disable an individual living with deafblindness. In turn, knowledge will be used to evaluate the sensory similarities and differences between how sighted / hearing and deafblind individuals access, perceive and interact with the world.
How you learn
The Certificate and Diploma in Professional Studies (Deafblind Studies) are delivered online, though you can of course visit the campus in person to make use of the library or meet for tutorials with your personal tutor. The platforms used for online delivery are:
Moodle (Virtual Learning Environment): course information and documents, module information and documents, module learning materials, module online course activities, module summative assessment submission links, feedback on summative assessments.
Microsoft Teams: synchronous online sessions, assignment workshops, personal tutorials.
Both the Certificate and Diploma consist of three 20 credit modules, each of which is completed over a period of ten weeks. Each module commences with a live online synchronous Module Launch, in which the learning outcomes and summative assessment are explained and explored. The module content is aligned to both the learning outcomes and summative assessment. Each module also includes a live online synchronous assignment workshop, in which your progress can be reviewed and any questions about the assignment addressed. The tenth and final week of the module is reserved for private study as you complete your assignment ready for submission.
Certificate
42% of time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activities:
Scheduled Learning: 12 hours
Directed Learning: 240 hours
Private Study: 348 hours
Total: 600 hours
All three modules have a summative assessment allowing you to demonstrate that you have met all the learning outcomes for that module. All learning outcomes must be met in order to pass the module, and all three modules must be passed to gain the award.
In order to take into account that learners have different styles and also need to develop a range of capabilities you will undertake a variety of different types of assessment. This includes:
- written assignments
- open book examination
- case study based assignments
Full details of the assessment task for each module, including how, where and when to submit will be provided to you during the launch of each module.
Diploma
42% of time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activities:
Scheduled Learning: 14 hours
Directed Learning: 238 hours
Private Study: 348 hours
Total: 600 hours
All three modules have a summative assessment allowing you to demonstrate that you have met all the learning outcomes for that module. All learning outcomes must be met in order to pass the module, and all three modules must be passed to gain the award.
In order to take into account that learners have different styles and also need to develop a range of capabilities you will undertake a variety of different types of assessment. This includes:
- written assignments
- evidence-informed project work
- case study based assignments
Full details of the assessment task for each module, including how, where and when to submit will be provided to you during the launch of each module.
Employability
Enhancing employability skills
Generating knowledge and promoting excellence in the field of deafblindness are key features of the course. A further aim is to support the social work and social care workforce to meet the statutory requirements relating to the care and support of deafblind people under the Care Act 2014 (England) and the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014 (Wales).
The course provides CPD opportunities to those with existing qualifications in deafblindness at Level 2 and 3 enabling you to undertake more complex assessments and care and support planning. The course supports people currently in practice to develop a range of transferable skills enhancing employability within the sector: specialist assessment; professional reflection; professional and academic writing; ICT skills; independent research skills.
International
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies.
Facilities & Staff
Library
Our Mary Seacole Library is a large library with a vast collection of books, journals, and teaching materials, as well as specialist subject support. This includes the specialist deafblind library, which was formerly held by Sense and then Deafblind UK. There are also numerous eBooks available online, which the library will help you access.
The library offers a range of support services for students completing online courses, including online resources, 24/7 virtual support, MS Teams tutorials, information on referencing and IT support. Further information can be found here: https://www.bcu.ac.uk/library/services-and-support/support-off-campus
Academic Development Department (ADD)
The Faculty has a designated team – ADD – that can support your academic skills during your time at the University, enabling you to reach your full potential: https://icity.bcu.ac.uk/hels/Learning-and-Teaching-Development-Team-LTDT/HELS-ADD/index
For students completing courses delivered online, ADD offers MS Teams tutorials and has a range of study support materials on its Moodle Page which you will be able to access once you enrol: https://moodle.bcu.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=61804
Centre for Academic Success (CAS)
The Centre for Academic Success (CAS) is the University’s central learning development service, and can support you to improve your academic skills. CAS offers workshops, one-to-one and group tutorials and provides a range of online resources. For students completing courses online, tutorials are available via email or MS Teams and can be booked using the online booking system.
IT Support
The IT HelpDesk can be contacted via telephone, email or an App (online self-service portal). IT HelpDesk can offer remote support and cover a range of matters, including email, Office 365, Moodle, MS Teams, saving work and IT Security. More information can be found here: https://icity.bcu.ac.uk/it
Our staff
Dr Peter Simcock
Senior Lecturer in Social Work
Peter began working in social work education in 2010 and joined the Department of Social Work at BCU in January 2018. Prior to working in academia, Peter worked for Age Concern, Hull, before moving to the West Midlands and from 2001 to 2008 worked for Wolverhampton City Council in various social work roles including social worker within a...
More about PeterMichael Greenhouse
Michael Greenhouse is Lecturer in Social Work. Prior to working in education, he has worked as a supervising social worker, fostering assessment social worker, and in child protection teams. He has expertise in direct work with children, relationship based practice and social work skills, and holds academic qualifications in psychology and social...
More about Michael