Course summary
Professionally validated by the National Youth Agency this programme brings together community development and youth work practice with the research methods and theoretical preoccupations of anthropology. Why study MA Applied Anthropology & Community & Youth Work
- This MA is the first of its kind in the country, combining academic and professional qualifications. It is aimed at students who wish to pursue a career in youth and community work and who need a professional qualification.
- Taught jointly by the Departments of Anthropology, and Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies, the programme reflects the common concerns of lecturers in both disciplines.
- Established in 1992, it is the first of three pathways, with an additional MA in Applied Anthropology and Community Development launched in 2012 and an MA in Applied Anthropology and Community Arts launched in 2015. The three pathways entail different placements but are taught together, providing much opportunity for exchange of ideas and collaboration amongst students.
- You'll learn from leading academics and practitioners, with Goldsmiths being rated top 10 in the UK for anthropology in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.
- This programme is fully endorsed by the National Youth Agency for pay and qualification purposes and endorsed by the Endorsement and Quality Standards Board for Community Development.
Modules
The MA combines an academic programme of lectures, seminars and tutorial assignments with practical experience. Modules are taken over one academic year if you are studying full-time, and two years if you are studying part-time (part-time study only available to home/EU students). Full-time students attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays and spend the rest of the week on fieldwork placements and library studies. Part-time students attend on Thursdays in one year and Tuesdays in the other and spend some of the week on fieldwork placements and library studies Anthropology components The Department of Anthropology teaches two of the core components of your degree: Anthropological Research Methods 30 credits Contemporary Social Issues 30 credits You will also write a dissertation (60 credits). In addition we strongly encourage all students, particularly those without a background in anthropology, to sit in on the module Anthropological Theory offered by the Department of Anthropology. Fieldwork and placements The Department of Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies runs the three fieldwork modules, which involve placements that are supported by seminars, lectures, workshops and tutorials. This MA pathway entails a total of 400 hours. This is divided between 20 hours of observations and 380 hours of placements, consisting of three placements with at least two different organisations. The accompanying teaching is divided into three modules. Fieldwork Report 1: Perspectives and Approaches 15 credits Fieldwork Report 2: Critical Practice 15 credits Fieldwork Report 3: Management, Enterprise and Development 30 credits Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.
Assessment method
All three modules are currently assessed by an essay, documents completed by the student in relation to the placement and community development national occupational standards learning, a report by the placement supervisor and a fieldwork contract form. The final placement also involves an assessment of the observations. Overall, at least 200 hours of all fieldwork must be face-to-face with the 11-25 year age group.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- National Youth Agency
Entry requirements
You'll need to have: - an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in the social sciences or another appropriate subject, with some experience of community and youth work. - one year of full-time, or part-time equivalent, work experience prior to starting the MA. Experience can include paid or unpaid work; voluntary, community and youth work in organisations; and relevant informal work. - an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate from the DBS. Please note there will be a fee for all DBS applications; we will send you further information about payment with your offer. You can find more information about this on our fitness to train pages You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level. If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Additional fee information
Unless otherwise stated the annual fee for part-time students is half the full time fee quoted.
Provider information
Goldsmiths, University of London
New Cross
Lewisham
SE14 6NW