Scots uni responds to social enterprise course demand

A Scottish university has launched its first course dedicated to social enterprise following demand from the sector.

Glasgow Caledonian University now offers a postgraduate certificate in social enterprise in collaboration with the Scottish Social Enterprise Academy.

The qualification is available in universities in England, including Brighton, but this is the first time the course has been available in Scotland.

The university has prided itself on connections with social enterprises both in Scotland and around the world, including strong links with Grameen founder and Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus.

Course leader Dr John Connell said: ‘Social entrepreneurs are often dynamic, savvy and extremely passionate individuals so it's no surprise that they are demanding the same type of qualifications and networks as colleagues in traditional businesses.

‘We have tried to meet their very specific needs with a course that marries cutting-edge academic theory with the real life experience and expertise of Scotland's best practitioners so students can build their knowledge of policy issues and business planning processes and techniques.

‘The mode of delivery of the course is considered innovative and unique and so has generated a lot of interest and excitement among existing social enterprise networks in Scotland.'

Jackie Scutt, former director of the Social Enterprise Academy, helped develop the programme.

She said: ‘This course will be incredibly useful in creating a sustainable, innovative and strategically focused sector which is able to maximise its strengths and maximise its impact.'

The year-long, part-time course has been designed to meet the needs of busy professionals and has been designed around three intensive study weekends, which provide the basis for independent study and a business expansion based project.

Twenty people are signed up to the first cohort.