Programme summary for PGDip/MA Youth and Community Work

About the programme

The programme provides graduates in relevant fields and with experience of working with young people and community groups an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the field of youth and community at both the theoretical and the practical levels. The programme leads to a Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) professional qualification in youth work. The programme is designed to allow you to study full-time or part-time in order to follow a flexible study timetable to suit your personal and professional circumstances.

Programme structure

The PGDip in Youth and Community Work consists of four modules. Students who enrol for the MA in Youth and Community Work will complete a dissertation in addition to the four modules. The programme has a strong action research focus, which will enable students to carry out youth work related research projects in their own fieldwork contexts. It is aimed at graduates with relevant youth work experience and has a strong practical focus. The programme structure allows for flexibility, both in terms of meeting the professional needs of youth workers in formation and in terms of maintaining student dialogue and critical engagement with government policy responses to youth in society.

Career opportunities

On completing this programme, you will gain professional recognition as a qualified youth and community worker under the terms of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC). This will enable you to work within Children and Young People’s Services or in the third sector in the UK. The award and work undertaken can contribute to academic progression towards a PhD or professional development and the opportunity of subject specialism in the field.

Support

Students are supported through an initial induction which introduces them to the teaching and learning environment, particularly UELPlus as it will be used extensively by the programme team to provide learning resources and sign posts to further material to complement lectures, seminars and tutorials. Module group tutorials enable students to discuss any problems they may be experiencing, discuss assessed work, present written work for feedback and make presentations based on group activities.

Additionally, the regular contact with the Youth and Community Work students will come through regular individual tutorials with the field work module tutors to discuss academic and professional development issues. A minimum of two will be offered per semester and attendance will count as part of the learning hours for the module. Field work tutors will also undertake a minimum of one field work visit per semester to maintain contact with the student whilst on placement. This will take place alongside regular practice workshops through each semester.

Admission

Application form and two supporting references
An undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) in the Social Sciences or Humanities area (e.g. Sociology, Education, Psychology, etc.), minimum 2 :2 classification or equivalent.
Evidence of experience of working with young people between 13 and 19 years of age ( A minimum of 140 hrs).
Interview
Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (DBS) check

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required, applicants should have a minimum score of 6 in the writing component. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.

Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.

Youth and Community Work is professionally validated by the NYA on behalf of the Joint Negotiating Committee