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FdA Understanding Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse

A foundation degree covering the core duties of Independent Sexual Violence Advisors, Independent Domestic Violence Advisors and Children and Young People Domestic Abuse Support Workers.

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Overview

This two-year full-time or four-year part time course, validated by Sheffield Hallam University, has been designed to cover content and modules related to the core duties of an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA), Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) or Children and Young People Domestic Abuse Support Worker (CYPDASW). This course cleverly connects the knowledge, skills and behaviours with the necessary competencies associated with the three career pathways. The course has also been designed in consultation with external stakeholders and employers to ensure that the indicative content and respective employability skills meets the needs of the sector.

What you’ll study, year by year

12 modules

  1. Year 1 Certificate stage

    • Module 1 Foundations of Domestic Abuse and Sexual violence Practice
    • Module 2 Ethics, Legislation, safeguarding and Rish Assessment
    • Module 3 Communication, Engagement and Survivor Empowerment
    • Module 4 Crisis Response and Safety planning
    • Module 5 Casework, Recording and Professional Practice
    • Module 6 Equality, Anti- Oppressive & Intersectional Practice

  2. Year 2 Diploma stage

    • Module 7 Children, Young People and Families in Practice
    • Module 8 Trauma Informed Practice and Recovery Pathways
    • Module 9 Advocacy, Courts and Accountability
    • Module 10 Multi-Agency working and Service Navigation
    • Module 11 Sexual Violence & Specialist Practice
    • Module 12 Research Proposal

    All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time

Then: where it leads

Occasional changes to modules and course content may take place. Students will be notified when applicable.

How you’ll learn

You’ll learn through lectures, seminars and workshops.

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Workshops
  • Group projects
  • Guest speakers
Read more about how you’ll learn

The primary way of delivering this course is on campus. On campus teaching includes a combination of lectures, group seminars, workshops, guest lectures and one to one discussions with your tutor.

Typically, students can expect to receive 6-hours of teaching over one day per week.

Meet us at an open event.

Next: Thursday 7 January 2027, 4:30pm to 6:30pm

Book an open event

What you need and where it leads

  1. Entry requirements
  2. This course Level 5
  3. Further study

Entry requirements

Don’t have the standard qualifications? You may still be able to apply.

48UCAS points

Prospective students must have one of the following:

Entry requirements will usually be:

  • 48 UCAS Tariff Points: Level 3 qualifications, these may include: A Level or BTEC National Diploma (PPP) or a Foundation Diploma, in a relevant subject area
  • Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at Level 3

Taken a different path?

We are committed to creating educational opportunities for people from a variety of backgrounds and situations. If you have been out of formal education for some time, and/or you do not have the qualifications stated, we might still be able to consider your application and offer you a range of support. We are here to help. Please get in touch to find out more.

Ask a question

Further study

Talk to us about where you could study after this course.

Careers it can lead to

  • Youth and Community Workers £28,000 a year
  • Prison Service Officers (Below Principal Officer) £30,500 a year
  • Police Officers (Sergeant and Below) £46,500 a year
  • With further study or experience Youth Work Professionals £30,100 a year
See all 9 careers

With further study or experience

  • Social and Humanities Scientists £35,200 a year
  • Probation Officers £33,100 a year
  • Welfare Professionals £29,000 a year
  • Actuaries, Economists and Statisticians £34,900 a year
  • Generalist Medical Practitioners £61,000 a year

Job titles to look out for: ISVA- IDVA roles, Support roles, GP practices, Criminal Justice System, Youth services.

Read more about careers and progression

Foundation degree graduates will have the opportunity to access top-up programmes in Criminology and/or Criminal Justice, and there are several universities that offer top programmes. Nottingham Trent University offers a BA (Hons) Criminal Justice (top-up) and the University Centre of Blackburn College and UCEN Manchester both offer a BA (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice (top-up).

Graduates will also have the skill set to move straight into industry and may undertake ISVA- IDVA roles, work within support roles, work in GP practices or within the Criminal Justice System and youth services.

Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).

Your UCAS points

This course asks for 48 UCAS points.

UCAS points are an estimate. Each university course sets its own entry requirements, and points can change from year to year. Please enquire for full details about a specific course. Points from the UCAS Tariff tables for 2027 entry. About UCAS Tariff points

Fees and funding

£8,190

a year for UK students

Financial support

UK students can take out a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of their course and a maintenance loan to cover living costs.

We also have a range of other financial support available.

Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE)

If your course starts on or after 1 January 2027, you may need to apply for student finance through the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). It’s loan funding you could use across your working life, and applications are now open.

Find out more on our Lifelong Learning Entitlement page.

How to apply and who is eligible

Additional costs

Your Tuition fees cover the majority of costs associated with your course (including registration, tuition and assessment.)

There may be some extra costs that you might need to make, or choose to pay, for example:

  • Books (you will have access to an extensive range of electronic books and journals from your module reading lists in the LRC, but you may want to buy your own copies)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Trips and enhancement opportunities

If your course includes a work placement, you may be required to pay for a Basic or Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Questions about funding?

Ask a question

or call 01724 281111, option 2

Your next step

Apply now, come and see us first, or ask us anything.

Ready to apply?

Apply direct to us, online.

Want to visit first?

Open Event – 7th January 2027Thursday 7 January 2027, 4:30pm to 6:30pm

Book your place

What happens after you apply

1

You apply

Apply direct to us online, and we’ll reply by email.

2

You hear back

You’ll get an unconditional offer, a conditional offer, or an unsuccessful application.

3

You get ready to start

Before you enrol we’ll need photo ID and copies of your certificates. Apply for Student Finance early.

Read our full guide to applying

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