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PDA in Service Design
The Professional Development Award in Service Design covers the core skills, tools and mindsets you need to service design powerful interventions for complex issues. You’ll be taken on a journey, a process spanning four learning units over six months with 17 live sessions and interactive content on a virtual learning environment. We connect theory and practical applications through a mix of experiences, live classrooms, watch anytime videos, teamwork, mentoring and case studies.
You will
Develop a knowledge of the fundamental tools and methods used throughout the service design process and the ability to apply these in your own professional domain.
Build skills in user research by implementing methods to identify the needs of service users and undertaking a small-scale user research project.
Explore how co-design can be developed as an approach that involves service users collaboratively in the service design process.
Communicate and reflect on a service design project process and outcomes.
What to expect
Expert Facilitation
Learn from educators accredited to Master and Professional Trainer levels by the Service Design Network, who use a wide range of creative methods to embed a design mindset in individuals and organisations.
Creative Learning
Engage in innovative learning experiences designed to empower those who drive change.
Practical, Hands-On Learning
You will be encouraged to question and challenge ideas while you learn tools and techniques.
Storytelling Skills
Develop the ability to tell compelling service design stories to gain support in your workplace or community.
Networking and Membership
Gain connections, networking opportunities, and a one-year membership to the Service Design Network, providing access to industry-led content in service design.
Accredited Certification
Receive learning accredited and certificated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority and the Service Design Network.
Timetable
August 2024 cohort
Weeks commencing 13 August 2024 – 10 March 2025
Coffee shop
Tuesday 13 August 2024
15:15 – 16:45 (90 mins)
Learning labs
- Tuesday 20 August 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours) - Wednesday 21 August 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours) - Tuesday 27 August 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours) - Wednesday 28 August 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours)
Drop-in
Tuesday 3 September 2024
10:00 – 11:00 (60 minutes)
Assessment
Due Monday 23 September 2024
by 09:30
Coffee shop
Monday 23 September 2024
15:45 – 16:45 (60 minutes)
Learning labs
- Tuesday 24 September 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours) - Wednesday 25 September 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours) - Tuesday 1 October 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours) - Wednesday 2 October 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours)
Assessment
Due Monday 28 October 2024
by 09:30
Coffee shop
Monday 28 October 2024
15:45 – 16:45 (60 minutes)
Learning labs
- Tuesday 29 October 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours) - Wednesday 30 October 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours) - Tuesday 5 November 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours) - Wednesday 6 November 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours)
Assessment
Due Monday 2 December 2024
by 09:30
Coffee shop
Tuesday 3 December 2024
15:45 – 16:45 (60 minutes)
Assessment – Part 1 (Proposal)
Due Monday 16 December 2024
by 09:30
Learning lab
Wednesday 4 December 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours)
Assessment – Part 2 (Portfolio)
Due Monday 10 March 2025
by 09:30
January 2025 cohort
Weeks commencing 27 January – 18 August 2025
Coffee shop
Tuesday 28 January 2025
15:15 – 16:45 (90 minutes)
Learning labs
- Tuesday 4 February 2025
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours) - Wednesday 5 February 2025
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours) - Tuesday 11 February 2025
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours) - Wednesday 12 February 2025
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours)
Drop-in
Tuesday 19 February 2025
10:00 – 11:00 (60 minutes)
Assessment
Due Monday 10 March 2025
by 09:30
Coffee shop
Monday 10 March 2025
15:45 – 16:45 (60 minutes)
Learning labs
- Tuesday 11 March 2025
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours) - Wednesday 12 March 2025
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours) - Tuesday 18 March 2025
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours) - Wednesday 19 March 2025
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours)
Assessment
Due Monday 14 April 2025
by 09:30
Coffee shop
Monday 21 April 2025
15:45 – 16:45 (60 minutes)
Learning labs
- Tuesday 22 April 2025
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours) - Wednesday 23 April 2025
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours) - Tuesday 29 April 2025
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours) - Wednesday 30 April 2025
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours)
Assessment
Due Monday 26 May 2025
by 09:30
Coffee shop
Tuesday 27 May 2025
15:45 – 16:45 (60 minutes)
Assessment – Part 1 (Proposal)
Due Monday 9 June 2025
by 09:30
Learning lab
Wednesday 28 May 2025
09:15 – 13:30 (4.15 hours)
Assessment – Part 2 (Portfolio)
Due Monday 18 August 2025
by 09:30
August Dates coming soon....
Weeks commencing 4 March 2024 – 19 August 2024
Coffee shop
Monday 4 March 2024
15:15 – 16:45 (90 minutes)
Learning labs
- Tuesday 5 March 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.25 hours) - Wednesday 6 March 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.25 hours) - Tuesday 12 March 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.25 hours) - Wednesday 13 March 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.25 hours)
Drop-in
Wednesday 20 March 2024
10:00 – 11:00 (60 minutes)
Assessment
Due Monday 8 April 2024
by 09:30
Coffee shop
Monday 15 April 2024
15:45 – 16:45 (60 minutes)
Learning labs
- Tuesday 16 April 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.25 hours) - Wednesday 17 April 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.25 hours) - Tuesday 23 April 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.25 hours) - Wednesday 24 April 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.25 hours)
Assessment
Due Monday 20 May 2024
by 09:30
Coffee shop
Monday 20 May 2024
15:45 – 16:45 (60 minutes)
Learning labs
- Tuesday 21 May 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.25 hours) - Wednesday 22 May 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.25 hours) - Tuesday 28 May 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.25 hours) - Wednesday 29 May 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.25 hours)
Assessment
Due Monday 24 June 2024
by 09:30
Coffee shop
Monday 24 June 2024
15:45 – 16:45 (60 minutes)
Assessment – Part 1 (Proposal)
Due Monday 17 June 2024
by 09:30
Learning lab
Tuesday25 June 2024
09:15 – 13:30 (4.25 hours)
Assessment – Part 2 (Portfolio)
Due Monday 19 August 2024
by 09:30
How much will it cost?
The fee for the PDA in Service Design is £4,200
Entry Requirements
Entry to this qualification is at the discretion of the Academy. However, it is recommended that the candidate has a standard of communication skills in English equivalent to SCQF level 5.
Things you need to know
Learning Labs are delivered on Microsoft Team/Zoom
We use a variety of safe, online platforms to connect with you – Teams, Zoom, Miro, Slack, Rise (VLE)
All learning is in English
The PDA in Service Design is made up of 4 SQA Units with 32 credits at SCQF Level 7
Each Unit equates to approximately 40 hours of study
Learners must complete four units to achieve the PDA in Service Design. These are:
- Service Design : Tools & Methods
- Service Design : User Research
- Service Design : Co-Design
- Service Design : Project
Next course coming soon...
How to apply
To reserve your place, simply click the “Book Now” button for your desired course. This will take you to the Dundee & Angus College website, where you can select the “Apply Now” button.
Once you have completed your enrolment we will contact you to arrange a chat with one of our consultants to discuss the course and what to expect.
If you are interested in our next course please get in touch.





