Course summary

Applicants must have experience (paid, voluntary, full-time or part-time) of youth and community work and a relevant first degree. Our exciting MA Youth and Community Work course provides a career pathway for anyone who wants to work with young people and communities. You will be encouraged to explore historical and contemporary evidence and theory to develop an enhanced understanding of youth and community work. You will learn how to support inclusive practice that can inspire positive social change. The course offers a rich and culturally diverse teaching and learning environment and you will undertake two placements where you will be able to apply your knowledge and hone your practical skills. The course meets the requirements for professional validation by the National Youth Agency and is therefore recognised by the Joint Negotiating Committee conferring professional qualification status in Youth and community work in England. Career paths are varied and wide-ranging based on individual interests. Graduates find employment as Professional Youth Workers in Local Authorities or in voluntary sector organisations; as Education-based workers: a number of role titles are used to describe this type of work e.g. Youth Support, Youth Mentor, Behaviour Mentor, or as issue-based workers, working with young people who have drug / alcohol problems, poor mental health or housing issues for example. This course is the pathway to exciting, meaningful, and challenging careers in youth & community work organisations that aim to promote young people’s wellbeing and to empower them and their communities as active, critical citizens who can contribute to positive social change at local, national, and global levels. Our graduates have forged careers in the public and voluntary sectors, in schools, in housing projects and in public health-related projects. The MA Youth & Community Work programme is available by full-time (1 year) or part-time (2 years) modes of study. The teaching is delivered in 4 blocks, supported by e-learning. You will critically engage with the tensions and challenges of current practice, develop an enhanced knowledge of effective leadership approaches, critically evaluate responses to shifting government policies and develop enhanced skills in practitioner research. Throughout the course you will be encouraged to reflect on your role as a practitioner and question and critically evaluate your professional role. You will develop the skills and knowledge needed to work alongside people in communities to initiate sustainable social change.