The Department of Voluntary Sector Studies

This is our 'About Us' page. It includes our values and a brief history of the Department. If you would like to know more then please contact us.

Our Values:

Affordable
We aim to provide high quality education at exceptional value for money. Tuition fees for our undergraduate degree (UK or EU citizens) vary, depending on circumstances (see our finance page for more information). There are no other costs involved, as our entire programme is distance learning – you study from home – we'll even lend you books from our library. Paying students pay for a course at a time.

Flexible
Our study programme is run part-time. Whilst this takes a little longer to gain a qualification, it also means that you can continue to do the other things in your life. You need to be able to dedicate about 10 hours a week to study, this includes thinking time as well as reading and preparing assignments. On average it takes 4½ to 6 years to complete a degree with us.

Accredited
Originally well known for training the clergy, the University of Wales, Lampeter is the oldest degree awarding institution in the UK, after Oxford and Cambridge. The University has been accrediting undergraduate degrees for over 175 years, and is well respected.

Convenient
Many of our new students have little or no academic experience, but our professional and friendly tutors are here to help. Phone and email support is available, and if we can’t help immediately we will arrange to get in touch – usually within 24 hours. Most of our tutors have experience working or volunteering in the not-for-profit sector, and many have also experienced distance learning as students. They are understanding and sympathetic to student needs.

Our History:

The University of Wales, Lampeter, is a modern university with a long history. Founded by Thomas Burgess in 1822, it has the distinction of being the oldest degree-awarding institution in England and Wales after Oxford and Cambridge.

The Department of Voluntary Sector Studies started life in 1996: this page is a timeline of some of the key moments in its evolution.

1996 - The 'Personal Development Unit' is born and the Certificate in Interpersonal Skills for Volunteers course is first published. Staff have a difficult time keeping up with demand as over 450 students sign up to do the course when it is first published.

1997 - The first students complete the Certificate in Interpersonal Skills for Volunteers course and the first 'Presentation Day' is held in Lampeter. The Certificate in Interpersonal Skills for Volunteers wins a NIACE (National Institute of Adult Continuing Education) ‘New Learning Opportunities Award’. Three new courses are published, the Advanced Certificate, Research Methods and Structures in Organisations.

1998 - The Certificate in Interpersonal Skills for Volunteers wins a Queen’s Anniversary Prize. An extract from the citation reads:

"By recognising and accrediting the experience and work of voluntary workers, the University is making a leading contribution to the development of professional skills in the voluntary sector. Its pioneering approach in a growing series of qualifications is exemplary"

Staff members and students are invited to Buckingham Palace to collect the award from the Queen. The celebrations that followed are now departmental legend! Managing Volunteers, course number five, is published.

1999 - The Personal Development Unit becomes the Centre for Educational Development, "The Centre was set up to provide innovation and development in distance learning courses for the voluntary sector with the eventual provision of a BA Degree in Voluntary Sector Studies." Four new courses are also published: Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, Organisational Change and Research Methods.

2000 - Anthropology, Interpersonal Skills in Practice and Experiencing Disability are published in the year 2000, bringing the total number of courses to 12. The Centre expands to cope with demand.

2001 - The Virtual University for Voluntary Sector Studies is launched (www.volstudy.ac.uk), giving students the opportunity to communicate with each other more easily and providing online course packs. Two new courses are published, Sociology of Deviance and Crime and Towards Social Psychology

2002 - The Centre is upgraded to a full blown academic Department, ‘The Department of Voluntary Sector Studies’. The Department has its degree programme ratified by the University of Wales and for the first time can offer a full undergraduate honours degree in Voluntary Sector Studies. The Information Technology 1 and Anthropology in Practice courses become part of the degree programme.

2003 - Seven new courses are published: Supervision of Group Workers, Training in the Voluntary Sector, Positive Education for Children with Learning Disabilities, Working with the Family, Working with the Homeless and Religion: An Anthropological Perspective.

2004 - A busy Presentation Day with more certificates awarded than ever before. Five new courses are published bringing the total number to 30. New courses are The Voluntary Sector and the Law, Addiction, Ageing: A New Agenda for the 21st Century and Managing in Voluntary Organisations.

2005 - 2005 was the ‘Year of The Volunteer’ and also the year that our first students graduated with degrees in Voluntary Sector Studies. Congratulations, Irene, Liz, Marie and Margaret. The first issue of the departmental newsletter, ‘Going the Distance’ is published in May. The annual Presentation Day is the biggest ever and alternative arrangements have to be made to accommodate all the students. Information Technology II and Facing the Challenges of HIV/AIDS are published.

Staff and students at Presentation Day 2005

2006 - Marked the ten year anniversary of the Certificate in Interpersonal Skills for Volunteers. The Department celebrated its students’ achievements at its second Degree Day and the tenth annual Presentation Day. Study Skills is launched and the Certificate in Interpersonal Skills for Volunteers undergoes a major revision.

2007 - Saw the launch of the 'Lampeter Certificate in Intergenerational Practice' module at the UK Intergenerational Conference 'Across the Divide'. The course was written in collaboration with the Beth Johnson Foundation, Centre for Intergenerational Practice.

2008 - February saw the launch of the new look www.volstudy.ac.uk (you're looking at it now)! This year the Department will launch the Masters Degree in Voluntary Sector Studies and there will be a major revision of the undergraduate degree programme.

In August Voluntary Sector Studies (VSS) merged with the Department of Management and Information Technology (MIT). This merger strengthens the department and gives access to a wealth of expertise.

Where next?

Visit our Courses and Qualifications page or Apply for a course.
View our Frequently Asked Questions or learn more about our Volunteer Training.