BA (Hons) Youth & Community Work (JNC) (with foundation year)

• Includes a foundation year to prepare you for further years of study.
• A degree programme with professional endorsement, and course content aligned with National Occupational and Professional Standards in the sector.
• Opportunities for continuing professional development through additional training opportunities and professional networking on a course with strong links with employers and local training providers.
• Learn and gain experience with 800 hours of supervised fieldwork practice, with a placement in each year of study. This can be in a variety of settings either in the UK or internationally.
• Start the academic year with a learning experience with a partner project to see youth work skills in action.
• Develop skills in teamwork, positive communication, working with groups and individuals, reflective practice and leading others.
• Develop knowledge and core skills for youth work practice and informal education that are transferable to work with children, young people and adults in a range of different settings.
• *The course is in a subject area rated first in Wales for student satisfaction and joint 1st in the UK for graduate prospects in the Social Work subject league tables, Complete University Guide 2022.
• *This course is part of a subject area rated 1st in Wales overall and 1st in Wales for satisfaction with teaching in the Social Work subject league tables, The Guardian University Guide 2022. 

This is a course for those wanting to work within informal education, examining youth and community theory and developing your practice in working with young people through participation, empowerment and partnership.

There are opportunities to develop youth and community work skills internationally both in Europe and further afield; taking into account the impact of emerging trends in Welsh, UK, European and global youth policy and practice.

Year 1 (Foundation Year)

The Youth and Community Work Foundation year will introduce students to the theories of Youth and Community Work and how they can be applied and evidenced in practice.  Students will be given an overview of the concept of young people’s development, anti discriminatory practice, as well as 100 hours placement opportunity. You will gain the necessary skills to work with young people and communities, as well as the academic skills to progress further in Higher Education.

Modules

• The Skills You Need - This module aims to ensure that you develop key academic, personal and professional skills required for successful study at High Education. The module focuses on developing the necessary practical, intellectual and communication skills to allow you to progress through the Honours Degree and prepare students for employment and further study.
• Youth and Community Work in Practice 1 - This module aims to give youth and community work students an overview of youth work practice and theory. It is an opportunity for students to apply learning from class in a practice environment; focussing on theory of youth work and reflective practice, whilst ensuring they work towards safeguarding themselves and others. This module contains 50 hours of placement activity.
• Young People’s Development - This module explores the concepts of adolescence and young people’s physical, emotional and psychological development; analysing how this impacts on young people’s lives, and the role of the youth and community worker in supporting young people through the transition into adulthood.
• Contextual Studies - This module aims to introduce students to a broad variety of contemporary issues to stimulate discussion and debate. It will enable students to relate their area of interest to the issues presented.
• Youth and Community Work Practice 2 - Building on learning from Youth and Community Work Practice 1, students will develop more advanced knowledge and skills for youth and community work practice. This will include an understanding of the importance of conversation and dialogues in building professional relationships, the ability to plan and deliver group work activities, and recognising the causes of challenging behaviour. This module contains 50 hours of placement activity.
• Anti-Discriminatory Practice in Youth and Community Work - This module supports the student to reflect on their own values in relation to anti-discriminatory practice in youth and community work. It will explore how prejudice and discrimination impact on youth and community work delivery and the barriers that young people face in society.

Year 2 (Level 4)

In year two you will study the values and principles of youth and community work, creative skills and group work, and develop a knowledge of safeguarding and multi-agency working.

Modules

• Placement 1 - Preparation for Professional Practice, the first fieldwork placement helps students to establish the basic foundations of good youth and community work practice and embed reflective thinking skills.
• Values and Principles of Youth and Community Work - Examine the core principles of youth and community work. Understand the values of informal education, in particular recognising and understanding anti-oppressive practice.  students will start to explore and develop their professional identity.
• Working Creatively with Groups - An exciting module bringing together group work theory and creative practice.
• Working Together to Safeguard Others - Exploring the role of the youth and community worker in safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults, and how to work effectively within multi-agency settings.
  
• Theological Reflection (option) An opportunity for students to understand the central place of theological reflection in their learning and preparation for Christian youth work in a variety of settings. Whilst, developing skills in theological reflection to support practice.

Year 3 (Level 5)

In year three, you will build upon this learning, exploring politics and social policy, analysing informal education and developing skills in social research, international youth work, leadership and supervising others.

Modules

• Placement 2 - Integrating Professional Practice - The second fieldwork placement is a block placement, allowing the student to be embedded within the field of youth and community work and develop their skills in practice. This could be a placement within Europe or further afield.
• Political and Sociological Perspectives in Youth and Community Work - Identify and analyse how political agendas and social policies can shape the context of practice, and recognise different political perspectives on welfare and social policy.
• International Youth Work – An opportunity to explore the benefits of international youth work and intercultural learning for young people. Identifying different youth work practices across the world, and the role of the youth and community worker in understanding their own, and helping others to understand their own cultural identity.
• Research Methods - Identify what is meant by social research, and how it can be applied to investigate an area of practice or a social issue within youth and community work.

Year 4 (Level 6)

In your final year, you will also undertake a research project, and develop skills and values that demonstrate your ability to become a professional practitioner.

Modules

• Placement 3 – Leading in Professional Practice – an opportunity for students to put leadership and supervisory skills into practice in a youth and community work setting.
• Research Project - Supported by a research project supervisor, students will conduct a piece of unique research into an area related to youth and community work that will positively impact on practice and policy.
• Leading in Contemporary Youth and Community Work Practice - Identify and critically evaluate models of leadership in youth and community work contexts, analysing the skills required to lead in contemporary practice and the demands of working within evidence-based practice environments.
• Professional Supervision - Students will understand the importance of professional supervision in supporting and developing staff and volunteers, and develop skills to implement this in practice.
  
• Critical Analysis of Education in Youth and Community Work - Set within the current youth and community work policy context this module is an in-depth exploration of the core values and principles of informal education, critically analysing the concepts of dialogue, participation, empowerment, partnership and anti-oppressive practice. Students will complete the module having developed their professional identity as an informal educator.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

BA (Hons) Youth and Community Work (JNC)(four years including foundation year)

UCAS code: 4KWS

Our general requirement for the foundation year is UCAS tariff points of 48 but all applications are considered individually and we consider work experience, vocational training/qualifications, as well as motivation and potential to succeed.

All applicants considered suitable are interviewed, with those with disabilities or from relevant access courses or Level 3 youth work courses automatically being offered an interview.

Before you are offered an unconditional place on this course you will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance (previously known as CRB) and pay the appropriate fee, so that a check can be made on your suitability for working with children and/or vulnerable adults.

If you have studied in another European country, please check the Entry Requirements for your qualification.

Part-time applicants should apply using this form.

Assessment methods include in-practice tasks, reports, essays and presentations. You will need to undertake a dissertation as part of your final assessment.

Teaching and learning

Wrexham Glyndŵr University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

The course is delivered using a range of inclusive and interactive methods that model the values and principles of the sector, these include face-to-face as well as online learning activities, lectures, small group work, individual tutorials and supervision sessions, online and blended learning, guided independent study, and work-based placement activities.

Throughout the duration of the full degree programme you will be involved with 3600 hours of learning (1200 per academic year for a full time student), this will normally include 800 placement hours in total over three years, and remaining hours will be distributed between scheduled learning activities and guided personal study.

Typically, taught sessions will be held over two week days each trimester, with remaining days set aside for placement work and/or personal study. There will be a block placement opportunity at Level 5. Assessment methods used across modules will include: essays, reflective writing tasks, individual and group presentations, practice-based portfolios, and project reports, research reports.

Our Careers & Employability service is there to help you make decisions and plan the next steps towards a bright future. From finding work or further study to working out your interests, skills and aspirations, they can provide you with the expert information, advice and guidance you need.

Many graduates from the course go on to develop careers within local authorities, voluntary and community organisations and education providers across England, Wales and internationally.

Our graduates have gained employment in the British Council, traditional youth and community settings, playwork, work with young carers, work with young offenders, supported living settings and drug and alcohol work to name but a few.

Your employability will be enhanced by the experience, contacts and opportunities provided by undertaking three fieldwork placements in a number of employing agencies.

You do not have to pay your tuition fees upfront.

Wrexham Glyndŵr University’s tuition fees for 2022/23 for a full-time undergraduate degree course are TBC.

The fees you pay and the support available will depend on a number of different factors. Full information can be found on our fees & finance pages. You will also find information about what your fees include in the FAQs section of those pages. 

You can see the full programme specification here.