Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Creating inclusive workplaces is increasingly recognised as a key driver of organisational success. This course is designed for professionals who want to develop the knowledge and practical skills to embed equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within their organisation. Participants will explore the legal, social and organisational drivers for EDI, alongside the policies, practices and behaviours that help create fair, inclusive and high-performing workplaces.

Through practical application and critical discussion, participants will learn how to evaluate organisational approaches to EDI, identify and address barriers to inclusion, and contribute to workplace cultures that support people, strengthen organisational performance and enable sustainable business success.

To view the module descriptor (HURM10008), please visit Programme Specifications and Module Descriptors.

 

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for professionals who want to develop their understanding of EDI and apply inclusive practices within organisational settings. It is particularly relevant for:

• Business owners, directors and senior leaders seeking to create more inclusive workplace cultures
• HR and people professionals responsible for equality, diversity and inclusion, recruitment, talent management or organisational development
• Managers and team leaders who want to build inclusive teams and support positive workplace behaviours
• Professionals involved in developing, implementing or reviewing organisational policies and people practices
• Individuals with responsibility for employee engagement, wellbeing or workforce development
• Professionals looking to strengthen their understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion as part of their continuing professional development

 

Why take this course?

Equality, diversity and inclusion are increasingly recognised as essential to building successful organisations. Creating an inclusive workplace can strengthen employee engagement, attract and retain diverse talent, encourage innovation and help organisations respond more effectively to changing workforce expectations. At the same time, employers must understand their legal responsibilities and develop policies and practices that promote fairness and reduce barriers to participation.

This course provides the knowledge and practical insight needed to understand the principles of EDI within an organisational context. You will explore how organisations can develop inclusive approaches to recruitment, talent management and workplace culture, while evaluating the legal, social and organisational drivers that shape effective EDI practice.

By the end of the course, you will be better equipped to contribute to inclusive workplaces, support positive organisational change and promote practices that benefit both people and organisational performance.

 

What you will learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the key concepts and principles that underpin equality, diversity and inclusion within organisational settings
• Evaluate the legal, social and organisational drivers that shape inclusive workplace practice
• Assess how organisational policies, recruitment practices and talent management approaches can support more inclusive workplaces
• Identify barriers that may affect equality, diversity and inclusion, and evaluate practical approaches to addressing them
• Critically evaluate organisational strategies and initiatives that promote fairness, inclusion and equal opportunity
• Reflect on your own behaviours, perspectives and professional practice, identifying opportunities to foster more inclusive working environments
• Apply your understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion to support positive organisational change and contribute to inclusive workplace cultures

 

How you will learn

This course is delivered fully online, providing the flexibility to study around work and personal commitments while benefiting from structured tutor support and live online engagement. Learning combines self-directed study with scheduled online sessions, enabling you to explore key concepts, reflect on professional practice and apply your learning within your own organisational context.

You will learn through a combination of:

• Structured online learning materials available through the University's virtual learning environment
• Live online sessions to explore key concepts, discuss practical applications and ask questions
• Guided reading, short videos and interactive learning activities that reinforce understanding
• Workplace-focused scenarios and reflective exercises that encourage you to apply learning within your own organisation
• Independent study supported by tutor guidance and online resources throughout the course

The course comprises approximately 200 hours of learning, combining live online sessions, self-directed study and assessment. This flexible delivery model enables participants to progress their learning while balancing professional and personal commitments.

 

Course content

The course explores the principles, practices and organisational approaches that underpin equality, diversity and inclusion in today's workplace. Participants will develop an understanding of why EDI matters, how inclusive organisations create positive workplace cultures, and the practical actions that support fair and effective people management.

• Understanding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Explore the core concepts, terminology and principles that shape equality, diversity and inclusion, building a strong foundation for understanding inclusive workplace practice.

• The Case for Inclusive Organisations

Examine the legal, social and organisational drivers for EDI, considering how inclusive practices support organisational performance, employee wellbeing and sustainable business success.

• Creating Inclusive Workplace Practices

Evaluate how organisational policies, procedures and leadership approaches can promote fairness, remove barriers and create environments where individuals can thrive.

• Recruitment, Talent and Organisational Development

Explore how inclusive approaches to recruitment, talent management and workforce development can strengthen organisational capability and support diverse, high-performing teams.

• Reflecting on Professional Practice

Develop greater awareness of your own behaviours and professional responsibilities, identifying practical actions that contribute to more inclusive workplaces and positive organisational change.

 

Assessment

Assessment is designed to help you apply EDI principles to organisational practice while encouraging critical reflection on your own professional development. The assessment combines organisational analysis with personal reflection, enabling you to demonstrate both practical application and individual learning.

You will complete an individually written report comprising two complementary elements:

• Organisational EDI Review – You will evaluate how equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded within an organisation, ideally drawing on your own workplace, to critically examine current approaches, identify strengths and opportunities for improvement, and consider how inclusive practices can be strengthened.
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Portfolio – You will critically reflect on your own behaviours, knowledge and professional practice, identifying how you can contribute to advancing the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda within your organisation and support positive organisational change.

Together, these assessment components develop your ability to analyse organisational practice, reflect critically on your own leadership and behaviours, and apply EDI principles to support more inclusive workplaces.

 

Applying your learning

Throughout the course, you will:

• Evaluate workplace policies, practices and behaviours through an equality, diversity and inclusion lens
• Apply learning to organisational scenarios, identifying practical ways to promote inclusion and reduce barriers
• Reflect on your own professional practice and consider opportunities to create more inclusive workplaces
• Share perspectives with fellow participants, broadening your understanding of inclusive practice across different organisational contexts

You will leave with:

• A practical understanding of how equality, diversity and inclusion can strengthen workplace culture and organisational performance
• Greater confidence in evaluating and supporting inclusive workplace practices
• Enhanced awareness of your role in promoting fairness, inclusion and positive organisational change
• Transferable knowledge that can be applied across a wide range of professional and organisational settings

 

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this course.

The course is suitable for professionals who wish to develop their understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion within organisational settings. It may be particularly relevant for those with responsibilities for leading people, developing workplace policies or supporting organisational change, although prior experience in these areas is not essential.

Participants should be prepared to engage with study at SCQF Level 10, including independent learning, critical reflection and the application of learning to organisational contexts.

 

Certification

Upon successful completion, participants will be awarded 20 credits at SCQF Level 10.

These credits may contribute towards further undergraduate study at the University of the West of Scotland, where appropriate and in accordance with University regulations.

 

Meet the course presenter

This module is taught by Dr Silvio Hofmann, Lecturer in Human Resource Management at the University of the West of Scotland. Dr Hofmann has a particular interest in and passion for equality, diversity & inclusion (EDI) research and education and is the Network Lead for the LGBTQIA+ community at UWS. Silvio is an Academic Associate of the CIPD and acts as the Chair for the Special Interest Group for Students & Early Careers at the CIPD Branch in the West of Scotland.

 

Sector and workforce relevance

Creating inclusive workplaces is increasingly recognised as a key driver of organisational success. Organisations across the private, public and third sectors are placing greater emphasis on equality, diversity and inclusion to attract and retain talent, strengthen workplace culture, support employee wellbeing and meet evolving legal and societal expectations.

This course reflects these workforce priorities by helping participants understand the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion and how they can be applied within organisational settings. Participants will explore the legal, social and organisational drivers for EDI, evaluate workplace policies and practices, and develop the confidence to contribute to more inclusive organisations through informed decision-making and professional practice.

The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), reinforcing its alignment with recognised professional standards in people management and organisational development.

 

NOTE: This is a university module and upon approval of your application, you will be invited to register and then supported to complete enrolment. To enrol on the university system, the first step involves security set-up using the Microsoft Authenticator app; you will need to ensure that you have a compatible smartphone.

Further enrolment information is available at the Student Information Portal.

To access this module via the CPD route, individuals should be ordinarily resident in Scotland.