Youth and Community Studies
MA Youth and Community Studies
Postgraduate Diploma in Youth Studies (Initial Qualifying)
Postgraduate Diploma in Youth and Community Studies (Post Qualifying)
These courses help you to become an independent, autonomous practitioner with skills in critical analysis and the ability to bring about innovation in practice. You will be equipped with the skills to analyse and evaluate critical key factors in the provision of learning within communities.
Issues covered in the courses include analysing delivery agencies; the effects of social policy responses and the effectiveness of methods available; relating skills, knowledge and understanding required within youth and community studies to intervention strategies; analysing how services for young people and adults are delivered in community contexts; and applying the tools and processes available to youth workers.The programme of study consists of two postgraduate diplomas.
The Initial Qualifying route is designed to provide a route to professional qualification if you already hold a related degree and have substantial previous experience of informal education or youth work. The Post-Qualifying route offers a professional development opportunity if you are already professionally qualified in youth & community work. Successful completion of either route will enable you to progress on to the full Masters course.
Key facts
- This course is one of only three masters programmes for youth and community workers offered in Wales
- The course relates to UK policy agendas, focusing on Wales but with Europe-wide placement opportunities•• Placements and workplace learning can be undertaken within Welsh speaking organisations and communities if requested
- After completing the Youth Studies Initial Qualifying programme you will become a JNC recognised youth work professional
- The course involves flexibility through self-directed learning, negotiated learning or placements
Course duration
Full-time MA
1.5 years
Postgraduate Diploma (Initial Qualifiying)
1 year
Postgraduate Diploma (Post Qualifying)
1 year
Part-time MA
2-3 years
Postgraduate Diploma (Initial Qualifiying)
2-3 years
Postgraduate Diploma (Post Qualifying)
2-3 years
Location: Wrexham
Start month: September
Before you are offered a place on this course you will be required to complete a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) form and pay the appropriate fee, so that a check can be made on your suitability for working with children and vulnerable adults.
Course content
Postgraduate Diploma in Youth Studies (Initial Qualifying)
- Methods in Social Research
- Community Education & Development
- Youth & Community Work in Wales
- Theorising Youth Work
- Contextual Placement
- Professional Placement
Options – choice of one from the following:
- Supervision
- Social Theory
- Management of Organisations
Postgraduate Diploma in Youth and Community Studies (Post Qualifying)
- Methods in Social Research
- Negotiated Learning
- Lifelong Learning
- Management of Organisations
- Youth & Community Work in Wales
- Theorising Community Development Work
- Theorising Youth Work
Options – choice of one fromthe following:
- Supervision
- Social Theory
MA
- Dissertation
Career opportunities
Those awarded an initial qualifying postgraduate diploma are able to take up employment with local authorities, voluntary and community organisations and with education providers. With the post-qualifying diploma or the MA, you will be able to seek advanced roles within your profession. A postgraduate qualification also opens up possibilities for a role within further or higher education.
Entry requirements
If you wish to join the Postgraduate Diploma in Youth Studies (Initial Qualifying) you are required to hold a degree in a related subject (e.g. social science), as well as experience of youth and community work equivalent to 300 hours of face-to-face and supervised practice. If you wish to join the Postgraduate Diploma in Youth and Community Studies (Post Qualifying) you are required to hold a degree in youth and community work (or equivalent) as well as experience in this field. If you pass one of these postgraduate diplomas you will be invited to progress to the MA dissertation stage.assessmentA variety of methods are used that are in tune with professional practice and academic conventions. These range from assessed supervised practice to essays, reports, individual and group presentations.