Undergraduate Higher Diploma in Social Entrepreneurship

The Undergraduate Higher Diploma in Social Entrepreneurship is a programme developed by Advenio eAcademy collaboration with the following European Universities:-

• University of Ioannina, Greece (https://www.uoi.gr/)
• Universita’ Politecnica delle Marche, Italy (https://www.univpm.it/)
• Boğaziçi University (BU), Turkey (http://www.boun.edu.tr/)

and established NGOs:-

• Solidarity Overseas Service (SOS), Malta (https://www.sosmalta.org/)
• Academy of Entrepreneurship (AKEP), Greece (https://akep.eu/)
• Forum AIC, Italy (https://www.forumaic.org/)
• Imece, Turkey (https://imece.com/)

This programme will include THREE components.

Stage 1 will include 4 Core modules OR the ARPEL Process for recognition of prior learning and experience

Stage 2 requires students to complete  8 specialist modules

These subject modules provide students with a broad exposure to the challenges of running an NGO and in transforming an NGO into a Social Enterprise.

Stage 2: Specialist Modules (4 ECTS Credits each)

• Award in Creativity & Thinking Skills for Social Enterprises
• Award in Project Management for Social Enterprises
• Award in Legal Frameworks for Social Enterprises
• Award in Working with Apprentices/Volunteers for Social Enterprises
• Award in Social Enterprise Development
• Award in Fund Raising for Social Enterprises
• Award in Risk Management for Social Enterprises
• Award in Good Governance for Social Enterprises

Stage 3 of the programme is a research project  OR an Internship & Embedded Project Report

Stage 3: Research Project (26 ECTS Credits)

The Research Project is a research-based activity to be undertaken after successful completion of Stages 1 and 2 of the programme. Students will work independently to identify research interests, gaps in knowledge, explore hypotheses and develop a research plan. The Research Project will allow students to hone their analytical and investigative skills by participating in an active research project under a faculty advisor to produce usable data sets, public presentations, and abstracts suitable for publication.

OR

Stage 3: Internship & Embedded Project Report (26 ECTS Credits)

Alternatively, students may opt for an internship within the organisation that they are involved with, OR a suitable organisation. Within this internship they are expected to carry out an embedded research project based on the data and information to be made available by the host organisation. Students would be able to utilise internal data to research and report on management issues that are of particular concern to the organisation. The focus of the embedded report would be its implementation within the organisation.

The Internship Programme provides an opportunity to combine theoretical education with applied work experience. Internships are distinguished from independent study in that interns will be working directly with a professional, rather than on their own. Through journal writing, mentor support, a midterm check-in, and a final analytical paper, interns will have the opportunity to gain perspectives on their internship that might otherwise miss in the rush of work. This final paper is to be completed within a period of 12 weeks after the completion of the internship period and is to focus on a business development within the host organisation. This final report is to provide full details on the planned development and its implementation.

This course is aimed to equip participants with the necessary management skills, tools and techniques to advance their own enterprises and to more reliably inform and guide the development of their organisation.

For any students that complete the Undergraduate Diploma in Social Enterprises without completion of Stage 1 have the option to complete Stage 2, Stage 3 and the supplementary module in Stage 3. This works out at  Stage 2 – Specialist modules X 8 (32 ECTS) and the Stage 3 – Research Project/Internship X 1 (26 ECTS) and supplementary module X 1 (4 ECTS ). The supplementary module is  Award in Practical Applications of Business Simulation.

Hours of Total Learning:

Contact Hours: 466

Self-study hours: 1646 Supervised placement and practice hours: 24

Assessment hours: 114

Total Learning Hours: 2,250

Target Group:

The target groups for this programme are as follows:

1) Level 4 and Level 5 students from a non-business related field who recognise the impact that Social Enterprise concepts will have on their careers and therefore wish to further develop their competences in order to prepare them for their continued progression in their careers.

2) Management staff within NGOs and Social Enterprises that wish to build on their practical knowledge with comprehensive, specialised and theoretical knowledge based current research in the field and international best practices

3) Management staff with relevant work experience that may not be employed within Social Enterprises but wish to develop skills and competencies that will facilitate their move to Social Enterprises.

Language of Instruction: English 

Entry Requirements:

Eligibility for the full programme or component stages is based on:

• Pass in a Level 5 Diploma or higher

OR

• Grade C or better in a Level 4 Diploma (e.g. Advanced Level certificates) and a minimum of 2 years work experience

AND

• Students whose first language is not English and whose previous qualifications were in a language other than English will be required to produce evidence of IELTS level 5 competence, or equivalent

Note 1: Prospective students over the age of 25 are eligible to apply for the full programme without a level 4 diploma, as long as they provide evidence such as a suitable CV and a work reference showing the skills and competences gained through their work experience (at least 2 years).

Note 2: Prospective students including those without formal educational qualifications but with suitable work experience (at least 2 years at middle management or higher n an SME/SE or NGO environment) may apply for the ARPEL process. This will enable them to get accreditation and recognition of their prior learning and experiences. Successful completion of the ARPEL Process will earn the student 32 ECTS credits. This will provide them with direct entry to Stage 2 of the programme, the specialised subject modules

Teaching & learning (Online):

using elearning platform from www.aea.academy (https://elearn.aea.academy/)

Assessment Methods:

Core Modules

• Assignment / Case-Study – (50% of the module grade)
• Forum Discussions – Forum Responses (30% of the module grade)
• Tutorial Participation – tutorial sessions (20% of the module grade)

Specialist Modules

• Assignment / Case-Study – (60% of the module grade)
• Forum Discussions – Forum Responses (20% of the module grade)
• Tutorial Participation – tutorial sessions (20% of the module grade)

Learning Outcomes:

The learner will be able to:

• An advanced level of understanding in the specialised area of prior learning and work experience
• An understanding of entrepreneurial / social entrepreneurial methods and tools in a complex and specialised field of work or study
• An understanding in professional practical knowledge in a specialised entrepreneurial / social entrepreneurial field of work or study

Admission Process:

• Submit the official application
• Attend the Evaluation Interview

Application Link:

Applications closed

Dates of Next Intake:

Registrations are now open. Stage 1 ARPEL process is currently ongoing. Stage 2 will commence in February 2023

Fee Structure & Scholarships:

Stage 1 Fees for the ARPEL Process: 60% partial scholarship will be offered – total reduced cost Eur197 incl VAT

AND

Erasmus+ co funded programme offers full scholarship for Stage 2 & 3 of Pilot Intake*

Stage 2 for 8 Specialist Modules Fees per module: Full Scholarship

AND

Stage 3 for final research project Fees per research module: Full Scholarship

* Students completing only Stages 2 & 3 will require an additional specialist module to earn the Undergraduate Diploma in Social Enterprises – 62 ECTS.

Supplementary specialist module Fee: Full Scholarship

 

Contact Details: admin@aea.academy / info@aea.academy

Click here to download the Programme Leaflet

*Accreditation is a form of certification in which the MFHEA will verify that an academic or vocational programme meets minimum academic and vocational standards. Accreditation ensures that the qualification a student works so hard to obtain meets quality standards, and that it will be recognized as such by other educational institutions and employers. The decisive stage of accreditation is the mapping of the programme to the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) and the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) – further information on the MFHEA and the MQF/EQF may be obtained from www.mfhea.mt.

The programme includes different stages and modules: