Youth Work

Course Outline

The Postgraduate Diploma in Youth Work is ideally suited to enthusiastic, fun-loving, critical-thinking, and creative people who are motivated to impact positively young people’s lives.



Youth work encompasses a broad and diverse range of social, cultural, educational, and political activities, which are based on young people’s voluntary participation in leisure time activities that emphasise social inclusion and support civic engagement. The Postgraduate Diploma in Youth Work prepares students for exciting, meaningful, and challenging careers in youth work and related organisations that aim to promote young people’s well-being and to empower young people as active, critical citizens who can contribute to positive social change at local, national, and global levels.



This is a professionally accredited course that provides practice-based training to aspiring professional youth workers and continuing professional development for existing youth workers (who do not already hold a JNC-recognised qualification). The course may be undertaken on a full-time basis only.



Placement or Study Abroad Information

Students undertake two placements on the projects, which are located in a wide range of community-based youth organisations and students may undertake the second placement abroad in a suitable youth work agency.



Community-based learning is a very important feature of the course, which allows our students to develop their practice skills and build their confidence.



Successful completion of all modules awards a Postgraduate Diploma in Youth Work, which is professionally accredited (JNC-recognised) and endorsed by the North-South Education and Training Standards Committee for Youth Work (NSETS).

Our Youth Work course includes a variety of taught modules that focus on youth work professional training and continuing professional development in youth work. All modules are delivered through the School of Applied Social Studies.



The course comprises five taught modules and two placement modules worth 60 credits in total:



Semester 1 (35 credits)

SS6020 Principles and Practice of Youth Work (10 credits)

SS6036 Youth Work: Working with Individuals and Groups (10 credits)

SS6022 Youth, Ethics and Welfare (5 credits)

SS6037 Youth Work, Informal and Non-Formal Learning (5 credits)

SS6030 Practice Placement I (5 credits)



Semester 2 (25 credits)

SS6031 Practice Placement II (20 credits)

SS6023 Project Planning, Management and Leadership Skills (5 credits)

Applicants will normally have achieved a minimum grade of a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8). Applicants will normally be graduates from cognate disciplines, including but not limited to Social Science, Education (incl. Sports Studies), Social Work, Early Years and Childhood Studies, Social Care (NFQ, Level 8), Sociology and Psychology.



In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the approval of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, applicants who hold a primary degree (NFQ, Level 8) which is unrelated to youth work practice may also be considered if they can evidence a high level of relevant youth work practice-related experience.



In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the approval of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, applicants who hold a primary degree (NFQ, Level 8), which is lower than a Second Class Honours, Grade II standard, and who demonstrate a high level of relevant work experience, may also be eligible for entry to the course under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Applicants may be required to submit a piece of writing which demonstrates their academic ability to undertake a Level 9 postgraduate programme and this will be assessed by members of the Selection Panel.



Applicants who do not hold a primary degree will not be accepted into the programme. Applicants who hold an NFQ, Level 7 degree/qualification will not be accepted onto the programme. The School of Applied Social Studies offers a very successful undergraduate programme which allows students to access professional training in youth work. Potential applicants who do not hold an undergraduate degree are advised to apply to this programme.



All applicants for the programme will be interviewed as part of the selection process.



Garda Vetting

Please note that as part of this programme students will require Garda Vetting as they will take part in a placement or UCC-related activity where they will be working in an unsupervised capacity with children and/or vulnerable adults. For more information on this process please read the UCC Student Garda Vetting Policy.



Fitness to Practise

This programme is subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy.



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

• In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

• Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements.

Closing Date

Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

1 year full-time.

Start Date 1 September 2025

Skills and Careers Information

What can I do after I graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma in Youth Work?

On this programme you are encouraged to engage in high-level professional education through academic study and work placements, ensuring that the skills you develop will be at the forefront of professional youth work practice. Through participation in the programme, our students develop skills in critical policy analysis, youth advocacy, policy advocacy, ethical engagement with young people, individual and group work facilitation, informal and non-formal education, and reflective practice.



Occupations associated with Youth Work

Our graduates find employment in youth work and youth justice organisations, in the public sector, in the voluntary/community sector, in local authorities, and in community-based organisations where expanding youth participation is a priority.