Diploma in Professional Studies (Deafblind Studies) at Birmingham City University

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.

Faculty: Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences  |  Department: Social Work and Community Studies  |  Duration: 38 weeks part-time  |  Study mode: part-time  |  Intake: March 2028  |  Location: Birmingham, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

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. Modules include Understanding & Assessing Deafblindness / Dual Sensory Loss, Understanding & Assessing Communication, Movement and Mobility, Deafblindness: Independent Study, Understanding Communication, Movement and Mobility, Law, Public Policy and Deafblindness, Understanding Deafblindness / Dual Sensory Loss.

Career pathways

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).

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