Short Courses
Introduction
There are more than 30 Short Courses available, covering a wide variety of curriculum areas, offering accreditation for between 10 and 60 hours of activity.
They are multi-level, which means that completing challenges and skills development according to individual ability are the requirements, rather than attaining a particular level.
Who is this programme for?
Young people, mainly aged between 13 and 19, of all abilities in a variety of learning situations, e.g. schools, colleges and training provision.
Key Point
6 Categories
38 Courses
6 Skill-based Learning
10-60 Hours Work
High-quality Portfolio
Evaluation System
Authorized Certificate
Courses
![]() Beliefs and Values Short CourseThis course aims to encourage a deeper understanding of beliefs and values, helping young people to engage positively with the National Curriculum for RE, where appropriate. This Short Course comprises ¬five modules: Values, Beliefs and Decision-making; Environment; Crime and Punishment; Peace and Conflict; Creed; Inspiration. |
![]() Personal Finance Short CourseThis course is aimed at increasing learner's ¬financial awareness and economic wellbeing. The fi¬ve modules cover: managing fi¬nances; income and expenditure; planning for the future; making ¬financial choices; and international issues. |
![]() RSA Opening Minds Short CourseThis course has been designed to accredit the RSA Opening Minds programme.A good Opening Minds curriculum will equip students with the skills and self-awareness that will enable them to achieve their full potential at school, in FE and HE and eventually to be successful in the workplace. This Short Course is an important step on that path, comprising modules in: Citizenship; Learning; Managing Information; Relating to People; and Managing Situations. |
![]() Living Independently Short CourseThis course involved Bristol City Council, North Somerset Council and The Boulevard Centre, Hull in the development and pilot. With modules in: Earning and Spending Money; Keeping Track of your Money; Making Financial Choices; A Place of your Own; Health and Wellbeing; Cooking on a Budget; Practical Cooking Skills; Career Management; Preparing for the World of Work. |
![]() Citizenship Short CourseThis course accredits Citizenship activity and offers a complete programme to meet the statutory requirements for Citizenship within the National Curriculum at Key Stages 3 and 4. This Short Course is divided into six modules: Rights and Responsibilities; Individuals and Communities; Government and Democracy; Laws and the Courts; Finance, Work and the Media; Global Citizenship. |
![]() PSHE Short CourseThis course can support the delivery of Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education in a range of settings. It accredits PSHE activity within seven modules: Healthy Eating and Living; Conflict Resolution; Drugs Awareness; Personal Wellbeing; Economic Wellbeing; Sex and Relationships Education; and Becoming a Parent. |
![]() Sex and Relationships Education Short CourseWith modules in: Body Knowledge; Relationships; Sexual Activity and Behaviour; Contraception and Sexual Health; Personal Skills; Culture and Society. |
![]() Mathematics Short CourseDeveloped in association with MEI (Mathematics in Education and Industry) this course accredits activities within the following areas of study: Probability and Statistics; Money; Number; Shape and Space; Algebra; Mathematical Discovery. It offers additional activities to develop understanding of the main topics in GCSE Mathematics and apply the key attributes of functional mathematics-representing, analysing and interpreting. Recommend activities: |
![]() English Language Short CourseThis course accredits activities in the following topic areas: Developing Communication Skills; Speaking and Listening; Reading and Writing Styles; Writing for a Purpose; Reading for a Purpose. The challenges contained in each section can be seen as preparation for employment. They can also underpin study of pre-release material and preparation for some elements of GCSE English Language examinations. |
![]() Languages Short CourseDeveloped in partnership with the Association for Language Learning (ALL), this course accredits foreign language studies and activities. Language- themed activities are grouped into seven modules: It's my life (my world, the world around me); Just getting in touch (communication, interaction); The perfect host (hosts, visitors, local knowledge); What's it like over there? (lifestyles); My language (sounds, spelling, pronunciation, intonation); What's going on? (contemporary culture); and Imagine (creativity, open topics). |
![]() Science Short CourseDeveloped in association with the Centre for Science Education at Sheffield Hallam University, this course is designed to support learners working towards Science GCSEs while maintaining their curiosity about the subject. It can accredit science studies and activities within six modules: Human Machine; Forces and Motion; Chemical Change; Biological Challenges; Space Physics; and Performance in Sport. Recommend activities: |
![]() History Short CourseThis course has been developed in partnership with the Historical Association. It contains activities designed to help young people develop excellent history skills at Key Stage 3, in preparation for GCSE History and the English Baccalaureate. This Short Course accredits the following areas of study: Local History; British History-Our Island Stories; Britain, the Empire and the World; History from Below; European History; World History. |
![]() Geography Short CourseThis course has been produced in partnership with the Geographical Association and can accredit geography activities and studies, while encouraging students to develop their skills in this area. It is about real places, the student and their place in the world. The challenges have been designed to broaden their horizons so they get a sense of seeing the bigger picture through social, economic and environmental lenses. |
![]() Leadership Short CourseThis course accredits leadership activities and provides opportunities for learners to develop leadership skills and demonstrate how they perform in a leadership role. The course is based on four curriculum modules: Develop Leadership Skills; Be a Leader; Review your Leadership; Support New Leaders. |
![]() Peer Mentoring Short CourseThis course accredits peer mentoring activity, providing recognition for those who are learning, developing, practising and passing on their skills by mentoring and 'buddying' younger people. This course contains four modules: Peer Mentoring Training; Peer Mentoring Practice; Peer Mentoring Review; and Peer Mentoring Leadership. |
![]() Volunteering and Volunteering as an Adult Short CoursesThese courses provide a convenient way to capture, record and recognise the work of volunteers. They contain challenges to help plan and review volunteering activity. Many employers recognise the value of volunteering as a way to develop the skills required in the work and these courses provide clear evidence of regular participation. The Volunteering as an Adult Short Course has been adapted to meet the needs of adult learners. |
![]() Activities and Peer Tutoring Short CoursesThe Activities Short Course accredits up to 60 hours of mixed activity. It can be used in most situations, but is particularly suitable for accrediting activities taking place in youth projects that do not fit easily into set challenges and activity-driven work. The Peer Tutoring Short Course is a second award, which offers additional recognition for learners who are supporting others through the Activities Short Course, or who are taking on a leadership role for a group of young people engaged in a specific activity. |
![]() Animal Care Short CourseWith modules in: Animal Investigation; Safety Around Animals; Looking After Animals; Animals in Trouble; Animals in the Media; Animals and the Law; Careers in Working with Animals. |
![]() Expressive Arts Short CourseThis course accredits expressive and creative arts activities, including music, theatre, circus skills, writing, DJ-ing, dance, photography, art, advertising and puppeteering. This Short Course comprises five modules: Explore; Create, Perform, Present; Arts in Action; Working in the Arts; Appreciate, Applaud, Review. |
![]() RoadWise Short CourseThis course has been developed in partnership with Cheshire and Warrington Connexions. This Short Course accredits activity within the following areas: Getting from A to B; Transport and the Environment; Responsibility and Consequence; Danger on the Road; The Law and Antisocial Behaviour; Vehicle Maintenance and Repair; and Vulnerable People. |
![]() Adventure and Residential Short CourseThis course accredits out-of-centre activities, such as: outward bound, adventure, sports-based or youth centre residential, geography field trips, arts visits, history trips, museums and galleries, heritage sites, foreign language trips and exchanges, urban or rural visits, citizenship courses, workshops on nature or environment and summer schools. This Short Course comprises four modules: Off on a Trip: Planning and Going; Aspects of Trips and Visits; Museums, Galleries and Heritage; Evaluation. Recommend activities: |
![]() Environmental Short CourseThis course has been developed in partnership with Eco-Schools (www.keepbritaintidy.org/ecoschools)and accredits involvement in various environmental activities, whether through Eco-Schools or other environmental initiatives and projects. This Short Course comprises the following sections: Environmental Review; Raising Awareness; Planning and Doing; Managing and Monitoring. |
![]() FoodWise Short CourseThis course gives learners the opportunity to develop and accredit their practical cooking skills, as well as build their knowledge of a variety of food- related issues. This Short Course accredits up to 60 hours of activities in the following areas: Healthy Eating; Basic Food Safety; Food Preparation and Presentation; Cooking on a Budget; Entertaining; The Food Industry; and Practical Cooking Skills. |
![]() Gardening Short CourseThe Gardening Short Course offers exciting and rewarding activities to develop skills and knowledge through gardening. This course helps learners develop practical gardening skills, as well as personal, social and work-related skills. Certification is available for 10–60 hours of work. |
![]() Sports and Fitness Short CourseThis course accredits involvement in various sporting activities, within the following areas: Skills and Participation; Coaching and Officiating; Fitness; Sports Study. Many learners are motivated and engaged by sports and leisure, and there are a wide range of employment opportunities in this multimillion-pound vocational sector. This is an appropriate course for those unable to follow a full PE curriculum. |
![]() Football Short CourseThis course, produced in collaboration with the Football League Trust, offers the opportunity to accredit activity in the following areas: Football Participation; Health, Fitness and Nutrition; Coaching and Officiating; Working in Football. It can be used to provide a framework for activities running as part of football club community programmes but will also be suitable for education settings, such as summer schools, offender learning and after-school clubs. |
![]() Disability and Sports Awareness (DaSA) Short CourseThe DaSA Short Course, developed in consultation with Riding for the Disabled Association, accredits up to 60 hours of activity. It encourages learners to think about disability and raises awareness of the achievements of disabled sports men, women and young people, appreciating that disability does not mean inability. The course is split into three modules: Disability Awareness; Sport for All and Celebrating Sporting Achievements. |
![]() Careers and Experiencing Work Short CourseThis course has been produced to support the delivery of Careers and work-related education, and to help with planning and undertaking work experience. Helping schools and colleges to meet the new statutory requirements for Careers Education, this Short Course is made up of seven modules: Self-Development; Career Exploration; Career Management; Considering Higher Education; Considering Apprenticeships; Preparing for the Workplace; Being at Work. This Short Course links with the CASCAiD online careers resources. |
![]() Hair and Beauty Vocational TasterWith modules in: Customer Service; Nail Services; Basic Hairdressing Techniques; Basic Facial Treatments; Health and Safety; Careers. |
![]() Land-based Sector Vocational TasterWith modules in: Agriculture; Animal Care; Horticulture; Environment and Land Management; Health and Safety; Careers. |
![]() Uniformed Services Vocational TasterWith modules in: Military-Army, Navy, Air Force; Policing and Public Order; Fire and Rescue Service; Prison Service and Security Work; Health and Safety; Careers. |
![]() Construction Vocational TasterWith modules in: general construction operations; bricklaying; carpentry and joinery; painting and decorative nishing; health and safety in the construction sector; and careers in the construction sector. |
![]() Enterprise Short CourseThis course has been endorsed by the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IoEE) and accredits Enterprise activity. This Short Course is divided into six modules: Your Entrepreneurial Skills; Generating Enterprising Ideas; Enterprise Planning; Your Enterprise Evaluation; Enterprise and Business; Your Enterprise in Action. Recommend activities: |
![]() Computing Vocational TasterWith modules in: Infrastructure; Digital Media and Content; Web Development; Programming; Health and Safety; Careers. |
![]() Hospitality Vocational TasterWith modules in: Hospitality Services; Food and Beverage Service; Housekeeping and Front Office Services; Events; Food Safety and Health and Safety; Careers. |
![]() Manufacturing Vocational TasterWith modules in: Understanding Manufacturing; Product Design; Manufacturing Logistics; Making Stuff; Health and Safety; Careers. Developed in partnership with NAC group. |
![]() Module United Nations Short CourseThis course gives learners the opportunity to develop and accredit their six skills related to Module United Nations conference, as well as build their knowledge of a variety of MUN rules. This Short Course accredits up to 30 hours of activities that students could participant in school. |
Participation Process

Teacher Tranining
ASDAN CHINA will provide the FREE Training Session in the Teachers’ Conference. It aims to cultivate teachers’ planning and design ability in the Short Course teaching process. Also, for the Teachers who are outstanding in the whole process of Short Course, they can receive the certificate of “Outstanding Quality Education Tutor” from ASDAN.
Training Hours: 5-6 Hours
Training place: See below
Contact Us
Northern China:Ms.Hong 18543482199
Southern China:Ms.Fang 13424049890
Central West:Ms.Pu 18883255512
Eastern China:Ms.Guo 18521505623

Past Trainings
Xiamen
November 11st, 2018.
Beijing
March 24th, 2018.
Suzhou
December 14th, 2017
Beijing
November 24th, 2018.
Shenzhen
March 24th, 2018
Dalian
December 2nd, 2017
Shenzhen (Elementary school)
November 17th, 2018.
Chongqing
March 24th, 2018
Shanghai
November 18th, 2017
Shenzhen (Secondary school)
November 25th, 2018.
Shanghai
March 31st, 2018
ShenZhen
October 29th, 2017
Guangzhou
April 1st, 2018
Shanghai
October 21st, 2017
Co-operating Agencies
NAC group
Rotherham Titans
RSA “Opening Minds” programme
Personal Finance Education Group
Eco-Schools
Historical Association
IoEE(Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs)
MEI(Mathematics in Education and Industry)
FSYTA
Center for Science Education at Shaffield Hallam University
Football League Trust
Geographical Association
Sports Leaders
Association for Language Learning
Skill Structure

Review Process
Certificate
This Certificate can prove the students take the considerable time and effort, and accumulated a certain amount of knowledge and skills to improve the quality ability in a specific area such as Mathematics, Computing Vocational Taster, Enterprise, Careers and Experiencing Work and so on.

FAQ
The short course is well placed to meet the needs of many different types of learners, providing a flexible framework and used in all kinds of settings, including secondary schools, training provision and non-formal contexts.
Currently the level of extra-curricular activities differs hugely from school to school. Short Courses can help schools to set up a systematic extra- curriculum and assessment with specific credit system along with improving teachers' abilities to develop extra-curricular activities. Furthermore, it can improve the quality of current activities and provide visible outcomes for learners' parents and principals.
It offers 38 different topics which can help the new school to form a basis of their extra curriculars by using the Short Courses activities as its framework.
Short Courses are a good way to demonstrate that subject entitlements have been met in a way that is appropriate to the needs of individual learners:
To help learners develop and demonstrate a range of skills through their activities and studies;
To help learners develop and demonstrate understanding on a specific area;
To recognize and reward learners’ personal achievement on a specific area.
ASDAN Short Courses are available for aged 13-19+ learners. Each learner is required to participate activities, collect evidence and complete their course portfolio.
- The responsible teacher can be accredited with an "ASDAN Outstanding Teacher Award"
- Evidence to approve their outcome in tutoring activities
- Help to enrich schools extra curricular activities
Good English is helpful to run Short Courses but it's not required. And it's not necessary for teachers to be an expert on one topic to carry it out. As long as the responsible teacher is dedicated, we believe that the teachers and students will both have a positive experience when exploring the course together.
ASDAN Short Courses are different from our traditional classes. We encourage learner-centred education which means that teachers will act only as a guide to their learners, so that they can learn and carry activities out more independently.
We suggest a group of over 15 students for each course due to some specific requirements that involve team work and classmate participation.
Short Courses are a 10 to 60 hours based programme which means it will last one semester.
In order to ensure the quality of courses, we suggest that one teacher takes one course at at time. It is possible to run another one when he/she completes the previous one.
Short Courses aim at engaging students' learning progress and reflection of their work. We recognize those who complete their challenges and demonstrate their knowledge and skill on that course. Generally, the passing rate is very high as there is different level of credits awarded and the award is focused on participation.