Community Youth Work

Overview

The overall aim is to produce qualified Community Youth Workers to undertake key roles to the required professional standard.



Summary

Successful completion of the level 7 PgDip Community Youth Work equips the graduate with the professional qualification. They will have developed a critical understanding of a complex body of knowledge. The graduate will have developed reflective, analytical and problem-solving skills suitable for a range of employment opportunities in the profession. The graduate will be able to evaluate evidence, arguments and assumptions, to reach sound judgements, and to communicate effectively. Completion of the PgDip Community Youth Work enables graduates to complete the MSc by dissertation (1 year).



About

The overall aim is to produce qualified Community Youth Workers to undertake key roles to the required professional standard.



Our vision is for a shared society where young people are equal partners. Community Youth Work training aims to provide educational experiences through a purposeful, relational presence between youth workers, young people and their communities which enables young people to have meaningful opportunities, resources and support to exert influence individually and collectively in their society.



After successful completion of the level 7 PG Dip Community Youth Work graduate will have the professional qualification and graduates will have developed a critical understanding of a complex body of knowledge. The graduate will have developed reflective, analytical and problem-solving skills suitable for a range of employment opportunities in the profession. The graduate will be able to evaluate evidence, arguments and assumptions, to reach sound judgements, and to communicate effectively.

Year One

Context of Youth Work

Assessed Practice

The Pedagogy and Practice of Community Youth Work



Year Two

Power, Inequality and Anti-Oppressive Practice

Ethical Leadership, Management and Supervision

Critical Thinking and Professional Development



Year Three

Dissertation (Community Youth Work)

An Honours or non-Honours degree from a University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council for National Academic Awards, the National Council for Educational Awards, or the Higher Education and Training Awards Council or from an institution of another country which is recognized as being of an equivalent standard; or an equivalent standard in a Postgraduate Certificate, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification; and



Part-time Mode

Applicants must hold a degree or equivalent or demonstrate their ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of prior experiential learning. Specific requirements for admission are detailed below. Applicants must satisfy the University’s general entry requirements as set out in the prospectus or demonstrate their ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL).



It is a requirement of the course that students are working 16 hours per week in a Community Youth Work setting.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Attendance

One day weekly, currently Tuesday at Magee campus.

Start Date: September 2025.

Career options

There are a range of career options available to graduates and these include opportunities across the statutory and community and voluntary sectors. The following key duties for professional youth workers are identified in the JNC Report (Extract from Joint Education Services Circular (JESC) No 166 JNC Report Appendix IV, pg 56): Performing all the duties in the First and Second Levels for Youth Support Workers; Managing and developing a range of services; Developing staff and facilities; Working with other agencies to develop services across the community; Leading project development and implementation; Management responsibility for staff. The NSETS Committee will expect that all submissions for professional endorsement will build the necessary capacity to meet the requirements listed above.



A graduate should have the qualities needed for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility, and decision making in complex and unpredictable circumstances. At this exit point graduates will be qualified Community Youth Workers equipped to undertake key roles to the required standard.