Community & Youth Work

The MSocSc in Community and Youth Work integrates advanced study in challenging issues facing society today with accredited professional education for key roles in community development, youth work, and associated equality, human rights, international development, local development, local authority, national institutions, and international agency work. The programme provides an opportunity to engage in education and training in a dialogical environment, combining research and praxis for action, policy influence and advocacy, and participation in shaping society and facilitating young people to reach their potential.



Professional Endorsement:

The MSocSc in Community and Youth Work is endorsed by the North South Education and Training Standards Board as a professional qualification in Youth Work and by the All Ireland Endorsement Body for Community Work as a professional qualification in Community Work.



The programme, in line with all postgraduate professional qualifications takes place over two years fulltime or three years part time in service. Students undertake a full time professional fieldwork placement lasting fourteen weeks in each year.

For more details on the course structure see link below:



https://apps.maynoothuniversity.ie/courses/?TARGET=QS&MODE=VIEW&TARGET_SOURCE=QUALIFICATION&QUALIFICATION_CODE=MCYW

Application for entry to the MSocSc CYW programme is open to those who:



1 - Have a primary degree in one of the social sciences (those holding other primary degrees may be also considered in light of their experience and personal studies).



2 - Have experience of / a demonstrated interest in work with communities, youth organisations or projects, minority groups, social movements or international development. Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level.



Minimum English language requirements:

IELTS: 6.5 minimum overall score

TOEFL (Paper based test): 585

TOEFL (Internet based test): 95

PTE (Pearson): 62



National University of Ireland Maynooth’s TOEFL code is 8850

Applications are open for the 2025/6 academic year. Visit our online application portal to start your application.

We are here to support you throughout the admissions process.



For queries on your postgraduate course options please contact pgstudies@mu.ie

For queries or support on your application process please contact pgadmissions@mu.ie



If you are an international (Non-EU) applicant please contact internationaladmissions@mu.ie

2 years Full-time, 3 years part-time in service

Commences: September.

Career Options

The programme creates critical thinkers who are engaged professionally to work dynamically in leadership positions in the fields of community development and youth work and a variety of areas such as development, policy analysis, organizational leadership in NGOs and statutory organisations in Ireland, Europe and internationally graduates are involved in a variety of positions at national, regional, local and international levels in youth projects, community based work and statutory and voluntary organisations.