Level 1 Personal and Social Development Skills Course in Paignton. Classes run at South Devon College, part-time during the day. The course runs over 10 months, giving you time to study alongside other commitments. You'll explore topics drawn from psychology, criminology, and sociology, including mental health and wellbeing, hate crime, social justice, and homelessness. These personal and social development skills classes build your understanding of human behaviour and how society works. The level 1 personal and social development skills qualification is awarded by AIM Qualifications.
Who this course is for
Are you curious about people, society, and the world around you? The Level 1 Certificate in Social Sciences is the perfect starting point if you're interested in understanding human behaviour and exploring big questions about how society works. This engaging course introduces you to key subjects within the field of social science, including Psychology, Criminology, and Sociology. You’ll explore thought-provoking topics such as: Mental health and wellbeing Hate crime and social justice Homelessness and poverty Stereotyping, discrimination, and inequality Through a mix of classroom discussions, interactive activities, and reflective work, you’ll build a strong foundation in the knowledge and skills needed to progress to further study in this exciting subject area. Alongside your core learning, you’ll take part in personal development sessions designed to help you grow in confidence, improve your employability skills, and develop transferable abilities such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. If you haven’t yet achieved your GCSEs in English or Maths, you’ll be supported to retake them alongside your main course as part of your timetable. At South Devon College, we offer a full progression pathway in Social Science, from Level 1 through to Level 3, with many students choosing to go on to degree-level study at University Centre South Devon. Here, you could progress into subjects such as: Psychology and Criminology Psychology and Counselling Education and Childhood Studies.
What you will learn
You'll explore key ideas in psychology, including mental health and wellbeing.
You'll examine criminology topics such as hate crime and social justice.
You'll study sociological concepts and how society is structured.
You'll investigate real social issues, including homelessness and inequality.
You'll develop your ability to think critically about human behaviour.
You'll build skills in reading, discussing, and presenting ideas on social topics.
How you will learn
You'll learn through classroom-based sessions at South Devon College. Teaching covers psychology, criminology, and sociology through discussion, guided study, and topic-based activities. Assessment is based on coursework and assignments completed during the course. There is no formal written exam. Your tutor will support you throughout and give feedback on your work.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. South Devon College will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Support worker: helping people in community or residential settings.
Healthcare assistant: supporting patients in care or clinical environments.
Youth worker: working with young people in community programmes.
Community outreach worker: connecting people with local support services.
Teaching assistant: supporting learning in schools or colleges.
Advice and guidance worker: helping people access information and services.
What you could study next
Level 2 Certificate in Health and Social Care: a natural next step if you want to move into care or support work.
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills: builds on your understanding of mental health and human behaviour.
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Social Sciences: a deeper study of psychology, criminology, and sociology, and a route toward university.
