UWTSD Home - The University - Campuses, Centres and Locations - Outreach Development Centres
We are committed to making higher education opportunities available to all those who have the ability and desire to study a university course.
For many, being able to take that opportunity depends on its location being very close to home. Enrolling onto our range of distance learning and online programmes may be an option for some students; for others the experience of working alongside fellow students within the community, whilst avoiding time consuming travel to study, may be central to the first step on the higher education journey.
The University has responded to the needs of those students by extending our programmes to a range of outreach centres by working in partnership with community-focussed organisations such as the YMCA. By utilising the premises of such organisations we are able to offer equivalent learning opportunities to those available at our main campuses.
We ensure that the programme of study, the method of academic teaching delivery, student support and the administration of the programme is similar to the campus based alternative, albeit customised to the needs of our community-based student. In addition, the facilities offered at our main campuses are also available to all students should they wish to take advantage of them.
Certificate of Higher Education: Skills for the Workplace
One of our most popular community-based programmes is the Certificate of Higher Education: Skills for the Workplace.
It was launched in 2012 as a flexible programme to enable students to balance their work and family commitments, while also being able to study for a university qualification.
The programme provides students with the tools to transfer their personal skills and experience into the working environment. It develops their confidence to anticipate problems and find solutions, to work independently and with other people at all levels within the workplace.
Successful completion of the certificate programme can assist career progression and lead onto the degree programme: ‘Leadership and Management Skills for the Workplace’.
The University has identified demand for the programme within a range of communities and locations and has established Outreach Development Centres to deliver the programme with our community-based partners.
What Our Staff and Students Say
"This programme supports the mission of the University because it’s about working in collaboration with partners to enable students from all backgrounds to reach their potential.
Studying on traditional university campuses doesn’t suit everybody, particularly adult learners coming back into education or people who gain confidence from studying in their local community where they feel more comfortable."
Roger Maidment, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Management
"We’ve been working with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David for a number of years and I’m really pleased that our collaboration has grown over that period and that we are now delivering regionally in both Cardiff and Newport.
These collaborations are great as they are bringing new students into our centres and we are engaging new learners in a community setting which is marvellous for the University and the YMCA because from there we get users coming into our centre and being able to see the wider variety of activities that we have not only for young people but for the community in general.
I hope our collaboration will continue to grow from strength to strength."
Andrew Templeton, Chief Executive of YMCA Cardiff and Newport Group
"I find it very friendly. When I heard about the course, I thought it would be in a big university and it might be a bit intimidating; but the locality is great, it’s just round the corner from my house, I can walk here and I’m with one or two people that I already knew.
The teachers are great and there’s a nice friendly atmosphere in the classroom”
Mohammad Sahed, YMCA Plas, Cardiff
