Existing learners

Thank you for choosing the CIH Housing Academy to deliver your housing qualification. Here you'll find practical support and guidance to help ensure you settle into your studies.

Below are a range of resources and information for all our existing learners to help support your studies. If you're an organisation looking to support multiple learners you'll find more tips further down this page for how you can implement a culture of learning in your workplace.

By choosing to study with CIH's direct study centre, the Housing Academy, you could benefit from our offer of free standard membership for eligible HA learners.

Although not an essential requirement to complete your qualification, CIH membership provides a wealth of resources, services and networking opportunities that will enhance your learning experience and benefit your professional development long into the future.

If you aren't eligible for the free membership offer, CIH offers a concessionary rate for all learners, which you can read about on their website.

Once you have your membership, make sure you make the most of those benefits. CIH has a guide on how to make the most of your first 100 days.

Make the most of my CIH membership

Study skills workshops

The Housing Academy has developed a series of workshops to support you through your learner journey. The workshops will be delivered by Housing Academy tutors, Martin Haddelsey, Louise Togneri and Jacklyn Williams, and will include an opportunity for you to ask questions and take part in any discussions. The workshops include:

• Critical thinking and writing - this session highlights the importance, and key aspects, of evidence-informed critical thinking, writing, and decision-making. It outlines techniques for effective gathering, analysis, and use of information
• Referencing - this session outlines how to reference in line with the Harvard System and what is expected of you as a learner across the different qualifications/ levels
• Returning to study - this session aims to address any concerns you may have about returning to study, common themes include work/ life balance and developing academic skills
• Time management - this session outlines techniques about managing your time whilst working and studying
• Writing assignments - this session will identify and explain key skills and techniques for researching and writing effective assignments in a range of different formats.

The workshops are presented via Zoom and can be booked via your MyHA account.

There are a range of ways your organisation can support colleagues to succeed on their course and get the most from their studies. The outcome of a learner’s success is a reflection on all the people supporting them as well as the learner’s own commitment. The below guidance aims to provide advice on how to do this. 

• Give them time: Allow colleagues time to attend one of the monthly live online introductory webinars and additional workshops that the we offer to support learners. For Online Plus learners, allow them the time to attend and engage in all tutor-led classes, finding a quiet space without work distractions.
• Provide a study mentor: Find them a mentor who can provide support, guidance and advice during their studies from a workplace perspective who can check in on their progress to encourage, motivate and help them relate study to the organisation’s work.
• Help keep them organised: Ensure they keep on top of assignment submission dates and support them to meet these.
• Understand the qualification requirements and policies: Familiarise yourself with the requirements and policies to ensure you can fully support your learners in their studies.