Community Youth Work

Overview

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).



Work placement / study abroad

Students complete 450 hours Assessed Practice Placement in total.

300 hours in usual work setting.

150 hours outside of the usual work setting.

Year one

Youth Work in Context: Policy, Practice and Critical Perspectives

Assessed Professional Practice

The Pedagogy and Practice of Community Youth Work



Year two

Critical Perspectives on Diversity and Anti- Oppressive Practice in Youth

Leadership with Integrity: Ethics in Management and Supervision

Critical Perspectives on Youth Work in Contemporary Contexts



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.



• For English language requirements go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/english-language-requirements



• For Your country go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/country

Your Application

You can apply directly to Ulster at any time of year. We advise that you submit your application no later than two weeks prior to your course start date. This is to ensure there is sufficient time for your application to be reviewed and, should you be made an offer, time for you to complete all the necessary pre-enrolment tasks.



Some programmes will have specific deadlines as additional selection (e.g. interview, portfolio submission etc) is required, so please check the course page to ensure you have sufficient time to complete your application.

One day weekly, currently Tuesday at Magee campus.

Start Date: September 2026.

Careers and Opportunities

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.