MA Youth and Community Work
Course overview
Start date
September 2021
Subject area
Social Work and Community
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Learning
On campus, dual delivery
Course summary
This established course opens the door for you to step straight into youth work. Only one other provider in London offers a postgraduate JNC qualification as part of a master’s course.
With 600 mandatory hours of practice learning to add to UEL-based learning, it is a demanding, but rewarding, commitment.
You will develop the ability to build confidence and trust in others, to deal with challenging behaviour and to engage, support and mentor young people in London – a dynamic environment for youth and community work.
Our former students often supervise our current students in a professional capacity and you will be taught by experienced people who share your passion. The UEL tutors are locally based. They have strong links with and are active within the sector.
Tracie Trimmer-Platman has just set up a new community youth project in Hackney Wick in a voluntary capacity, while Paul Adams is a member of the youth committee of Y Care International, a relief and development agency which works in partnership with YMCAs worldwide.
Return to campus: dual delivery
In a Covid-secure environment, enjoy learning on our state-of-the-art campuses and flex between online delivery
Find out moreValidated by the National Youth Agency
The PGDip programme is professionally validated by the National Youth Agency – the national agency for youth work in the UK – so as well as a Master’s qualification, you will leave us with accredited Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) youth work status.
50
years' experience in youth an community work
You will learn from UEL tutors who are professionally qualified in youth work. Between them, course tutors Paul Adams and Tracie Trimmer-Platman have over 50 years of experience working with communities and young people.
100%
graduate employability
Our employment rate in youth and community work is second to none. Our students find jobs – 100 per cent of those who finished their PGDip or MA at the University of East London in 2014 secured youth-work-related posts.
What we're researching
Paul Adams, Course Leader of the MA Youth and Community Work course, is involved with a number of youth work organisations, including national government working groups.
He is also a trustee of Y Care International - an international relief and development agency working in partnership with YMCAs throughout the world to help them respond better to the needs of the most disadvantaged young people.
Our Centre for Social Work Research (CSWR) generates knowledge in social work thinking and methods. It also helps and encourages more social workers to become involved in research to improve shared knowledge.
Our founding goal is to shed light on underlying processes in practice and policy-making. We also work to strengthen the evidence base for ‘relationship-based social work’. This places the client-practitioner relationship at the heart of practice.
Current research themes include relational approaches to people at risk of self-harm or suicide, safeguarding and child protection, social work and education as well as the transformation of welfare in the UK.
Dr Jo Finch, Course Leader of the Social Work MA, is deputy director of the CSWR and a research specialist in the field of practice education (practice learning, assessment and suitability) with a focus on struggling or failing students. Her work has been published in the British Journal of Social Work and the European Journal of Social Work in Practice.
Making a difference
UEL is one of the UK’s leading modern research universities. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF), 17 per cent of our overall research submission was classified as ‘world-leading’ for its quality and impact – almost double our previous REF score. A further 45 per cent of our work was considered ‘internationally excellent’.
Fees and funding
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,906 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
The scholarship is open to full-time and part-time UK and EU students of taught postgraduate courses. *Exclusions apply.
Find out more about full eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Terms and conditions apply.How we can help you
Did you know that with a postgraduate qualification you can expect to earn more than someone who only holds an undergraduate degree?If you want to build new skills, change career paths, or further your career prospects, a postgraduate degree can help you. Our range of scholarships and bursaries will make financing your education that much easier. Below is some of the funding available to support you in your studies:
- Alumni Discount – up to 15% fee waiver *exclusions apply. Please see Alumni Discount page for information.
- Early Payment Discount – 5% fee waiver
- Asylum Seekers scholarship – 100% fee waiver
- Civic Engagement – £1,000
- Hardship Bursary – up to £2,000
- Sport Scholarships – Up to £6,000
Terms and conditions apply.
• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer
- Apply for a Postgraduate Loan
- Take advantage of UEL scholarships and bursaries
- Ask your employer to sponsor your study
- Study part-time so you can work at the same time (applicable to courses that have a part-time mode)
- Look at UK Research and Innovation funding options
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,906 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
The scholarship is open to full-time and part-time UK and EU students of taught postgraduate courses. *Exclusions apply.
Find out more about full eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Terms and conditions apply.How we can help you
Did you know that with a postgraduate qualification you can expect to earn more than someone who only holds an undergraduate degree?If you want to build new skills, change career paths, or further your career prospects, a postgraduate degree can help you. Our range of scholarships and bursaries will make financing your education that much easier. Below is some of the funding available to support you in your studies:
- Alumni Discount – up to 15% fee waiver *exclusions apply. Please see Alumni Discount page for information.
- Early Payment Discount – 5% fee waiver
- Asylum Seekers scholarship – 100% fee waiver
- Civic Engagement – £1,000
- Hardship Bursary – up to £2,000
- Sport Scholarships – Up to £6,000
Terms and conditions apply.
• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
Per 30 credit module
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1,265* per month to cover your living costs. It includes expenses for accommodation, food and drink, travel within London, text books, entertainment, clothing, toiletries and laundry. Most Tier 4 students are required to show they have sufficient funds to cover the first nine months of the course before they start- a total of £11,385- in addition to the tuition fees. You can find more information about the specific requirements of the Tier 4 student visa here. The amount that you will spend can vary depending on your lifestyle. The UKCISA International Student Calculator can help you plan and manage your money.
* Please note the Immigration Rules are subject to change and this figure is likely to be increased by UKVI year on year. Please therefore check our ISA page for more information at the time of preparing your visa application.International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.
Email: international@uel.ac.uk
Per academic year
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
Entry requirements
Evidence of a minimum 140 hours of experience working with young people between 13 and 19 years.
Overall IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening (or recognised equivalent).
If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English programme. The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 11-week pre-sessional course.
Please note that some courses require applicants to meet the entry requirements outlined on the course page. Our pre-entry Information Advice and Guidance Team are able to provide further advice on entry requirements and suitability for study.
How you'll learn
Typically, you will spend Tuesdays at the University of East London working through the core modules by means of lectures and discussion-led seminars or tutorials.
There will also be an opportunity for creative experience learning with occasional field trips to see community projects in action.
The rest of your week is largely taken up with your placement. The professional validation aspect of the course specifies that you must complete 600 hours in placement practice during your course – one 300-hour placement in each semester. The placements will be undertaken in different organisations.
This practice-based learning is where theory meets practice. You will be able to bring in issues from your workplace and explore them in professional workshops with your fellow students.
On your placement, you may find yourself doing everything from outreach work to securing funding and resources for your placement organisation, from mentoring young people to completing evaluation forms.
We will support you to achieve the goals set out in your placement learning agreement.
What you'll learn
There are four core modules on the course. Two are the placement-based Fieldwork Practice modules 1 and 2.
In the university-based sessions, you will learn the principles of group work, theory, management and supervision as well as gaining insight into youth work policy.
You will then apply this knowledge in the field. You could be organising workshops in schools, putting on informally structured learning activities, developing young people’s inter-personal skills or working with partner organisations, such as the Youth Offending Service, housing associations, community organisations or schools.
The dissertation element of the course can have a tangible impact in the real world. For example, a current student is writing her dissertation on the effectiveness of anti-radicalisation programmes for Muslim youth run by a local foundation.
She is looking at the effectiveness of the foundation’s approach and has interviewed staff, volunteers and young people to gather opinions and come up with future recommendations. Her dissertation will double as a report for the foundation.
What you'll study
We consistently review and develop our courses and modules to ensure they are up-to-date with sector and industry graduate skills demands. Course structure, modules and options are subject to change.
- Policy, Theory and Practice in Youth Work (core)
- Fieldwork Practice (1) (core)
- Fieldwork Practice (2) (core)
- Community Development, theory and practice (core)
- Applied Research Project (core)
How you'll be assessed
There are certain national professional standards you have to meet and demonstrate through your placements. These will form part of the learning agreement we draw up with you and your organisation-based mentor prior to your placement.
Towards the end of your placement, a three-way meeting is set up with you, your mentor and your UEL tutor to ascertain whether you have met the goals set out in the learning agreement.
We ask the opinion of your mentor to help decide if you have passed your practice. That is a professional judgement and it is a pass or fail criterion.
Your future career
The traditional model of youth work, where you work in and later manage a youth club as the focal point of the community, is becoming less common.
The range of roles open to you now is as rewarding as it is wide. You could move into the Third Sector, a social enterprise, a housing association, a voluntary organisation or even a college.
For example, a local college has employed graduates of this course as student enrichment officers – in effect working in informal education on a college site.
Other graduates are working as youth workers, in pupil referral units and youth offending teams. You could specialise in more targeted work, whether it is around learning support, diversion from crime or working with people already in the justice system.
As your career progresses and you gain both experience and credibility in the field, you can move into more senior roles, perhaps shaping policy, working in national charities such as Barnardo’s or The Children’s Society or taking a sideways step into a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
You could also develop an international, as well as a national and local, focus to your career – for instance, taking young people abroad, supervising and supporting them to broaden their horizons on a community project overseas.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal
