Thousands of housing practitioners across the UK have gone through these programmes and actively contributed to the many innovative developments in housing service delivery over the past three decades. This would not have been possible if university and college course teams were not working closely with housing organisations to deliver programmes which are relevant, up-to-date, applied and responsive to the needs of the sector and its customers.

In our case, Birmingham City University is developing blended learning routes through our programmes which incorporate effective practical experience and support with academic learning. For example, one such route through the postgraduate course has been developed in partnership with Regen WM, supported by several housing associations in the region who offer varied practical experience across a wide range of service areas.

Another example of our growing flexibility is a partnership with Staffordshire University to deliver the foundation degree in sustainable communities on a part-blended learning basis.

It would be a retrograde step if in five to 10 years’ time the only way housing staff could achieve corporate professional membership would be through distance learning provision supported by in-house training packages.

Veronica Coatham, head of division of housing and community studies and programme director, MA Housing, Birmingham City University

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