Qualification Information
It will take two years to complete the Level 4, Certificate of Higher Education in Community Governance. The SLCC academic year runs from February – November each year. Community Governance is a distance learning programme – you study at home or at work and we will provide course materials and lots of pointers to help you study.
- Attend three, 24-hour study days during your study year to learn from other students and experienced tutors
- Join the online space to access resource and discussion forums
- Benefit from access to local tutorials and webinars
- Complete your coursework – usually one or two projects per module. Each module involves an average of 150 hours of study over the year (or approximately 3 hours a week). This includes private study time, attendance at teaching events and time spent learning from what you do in the workplace
- 120 CPD points per Level or 60 CPD points per year of study
The two year course will cover the following modules:
| Community Governance |
| Local Council Finance |
| Community-led Planning or The Planning System |
| Organisational Governance |
| Local Council Law and Procedures |
| Building Communities |
| Managing People or Managing Projects |
More information on the modules can be found in the Community Governance Prospectus 2024
Community Governance students are required to complete a dissertation as part of their degree. Click here to view previous students research and findings in a specific area of parish and town council work.
The Certificate of Higher Education in Community Governance is £6,500 (£3,250 per year)*. The fee can be paid in instalments over two years with an initial deposit of £375 which is due at the time of application. Student finance is not available. In undertaking this course, you may incur further costs that are not included in the tuition fee.
- Course materials
- Teaching from highly experienced and qualified tutors
- An online learning environment – online meeting and tutorial platform
- Virtual induction and study skills sessions
- Study days depending on delivery: Face-to-face includes accommodation at up to two 24-hour residential study days / Virtual study days delivered across a week up to three times a year or a combination of face-to-face and virtual study days
- Tutorials by mutual agreement
- Administration and record keeping
- University registration as you will be an official student at DMU
- Student support services – full access to a university library and its resources online, as well as learning guides, support and a specific librarian contact.
A fee to the university
Click here to view the additional costs.
*Fees usually increase annually
For further queries please email [email protected]
SLCC’s educational offerings provide quality assurance, backed by the esteemed reputation of De Montfort University (DMU). As the only provider in England and Wales of sector-specific qualifications for local council clerks, SLCC continues to uphold its commitment to tailored, practical, and relevant learning. Each programme offers a unique blend of theoretical understanding and applied knowledge, matching directly with the needs of the sector.
By arming council clerks with a deeper and broader set of skills, SLCC enhances their professional standing and employability, thus fostering their commitment to their roles and the communities they serve.
The SLCC teaching team consists of educators who are dedicated, knowledgeable, and committed to providing high-quality education in a supportive and student-centred environment.
New Benefit for Community Governance Students!
We are thrilled to announce a fantastic new benefit exclusively for our valued Community Governance students. All students studying for a Community Governance qualification are now entitled to a 50% discount on any SLCC webinar and Themed Summit.
At SLCC, we understand the importance of improving the sector by advancing skills and expanding knowledge and we hope this discount will further empower our students on their educational journey.
This discount is applicable solely for the duration of a student’s study year.
To find out more email [email protected]
“I started Level 4 with trepidation in 2021 when unfortunately COVID-19 put an end to the face-to-face study days which reverted, like everything else, to on-line sessions. Despite this, the tutors were great, and help was only an email or phone call away. Year 2 soon came around and we were able to meet in person helping friendships develop and making learning easier (for me at least). My confidence has increased and I have developed as a clerk during the last two years. Level 5 was never originally in my plan, but I find myself a Year 1 student, embarking on the next phase!”
Emma James PSLCC, Clerk & RFO to Okehampton Town Council
“If you think Level 4 will be too academic and not for you, think again. Everything this level covers relates to actual issues you will encounter in your job even if your council is not very large. At times the learning did feel a little daunting but the assignments were carefully structured and you are supported throughout by a personal tutor, so it never felt overwhelming. There were opportunities for in-depth study of practical topics such as laws & procedures, the planning system, finance and audit, which helped me develop fresh approaches to my day-to-day work. Larger themes were woven across the whole course which allowed time to develop a deeper and broader understanding of topics ranging from community engagement to governance. My learning journey and the friendships I made with fellow students were so worthwhile and I’m still learning at Level 6. I have loved the experience which has opened my eyes to new ideas and made me a more thoughtful, reflective and hopefully effective officer.”
Daphne Dunning, Clerk to Pucklechurch Parish Council
