Youth & Community Work - Master's Degrees

Our MA in Youth and Community Work offers a valuable dual pathway: you’ll graduate with a full academic master’s degree and a professionally endorsed Postgraduate Diploma in Youth and Community Work. This makes the programme ideal for graduates who are already working (or moving into work) with young people, families and communities and want to gain a recognised professional qualification alongside advanced academic study.

Designed to bridge theory and practice, the course combines inspiring teaching with real‑world experience. Alongside your studies you will complete two professionally supervised youth and community work placements, allowing you to build confidence, competence and credibility in the field. The programme can be taken full‑time or part‑time, offering flexibility to fit around work (which could be used as your placement) and other commitments.

Students consistently describe the course as challenging, supportive and collaborative. You’ll learn alongside a committed cohort of professionals, developing strong peer networks that often last well beyond graduation.

Endorsed by Education Training Standards (ETS) Cymru Wales, the MA provides a clear route into professionally recognised youth and community work roles. By the end of the programme, you’ll be equipped not only with advanced knowledge and practical skills, but also with the professional status needed to progress in this rewarding sector.

The course includes four taught modules (one optional), alongside two placement‑focused modules that run concurrently with your fieldwork. Each taught module carries 20 Level 7 credits. You’ll also complete a 60‑credit dissertation, enabling you to explore in depth a topic you’re passionate about within youth and community work.

Our Exceptional Entry route opens the MA to experienced practitioners without an undergraduate degree, you can gain both a master’s degree and the sector’s professional qualification, enabling you to qualify professionally and academically – full time in one year or part time over two.

Modules

Taught Modules (Mandatory)

• Adolescent Development and Learning
• Multi Agency Practice
• Leading and Managing Professional Practice

Fieldwork Modules (Mandatory)

• Philosophy Principles and Policy of Youth Work
• Advanced Critical Reflective Practice in Youth Work

Optional Modules

• Young People and the Internet: Information, Communication and Identity
• Mentoring and Coaching: Principles and Policy in Action
• Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion
• Youth Culture and Subculture: Sites for Radical Youth Work

Dissertation – Mandatory

The Postgraduate Diploma in Youth and Community Work is an exit point from the full MA in Youth and Community Work for students who only wish to secure their professional qualification in youth and community work. As with the full MA it is particularly suited to graduates who have found themselves working in youth and community work and who wish to gain a professional qualification in the field.

The postgraduate diploma element of the MA programme requires students to undertake two separate professionally supervised placements in the field of youth and community work, and it is possible to study the programme on either a part-time or a full-time basis, attending the university to undertake the taught modules and guided practice tutorials.

Students on this programme tend to develop into a highly supportive, friendly, and professional group. The course is endorsed by Education Training Standards (ETS) Cymru Wales for youth work and will enable you to secure a professional youth and community work role in the field of youth and community work.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Youth and Community Work as an exit point from the full MA in Youth and Community Work comprises of all modules of study on the full MA except for the dissertation module worth 60 credits.

Modules

Taught Modules (Mandatory)

• Adolescent Development and Learning
• Multi Agency Practice
• Leading and Managing Professional Practice

Fieldwork Modules (Mandatory)

• Philosophy Principles and Policy of Youth Work
• Advanced Critical Reflective Practice in Youth Work

Optional

• Young People and the Internet: Information, Communication and Identity
• Mentoring and Coaching: Principles and Policy in Action
• Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion
• Youth Culture and Subculture: Sites for Radical Youth Work

The MA in Advanced Youth and Community Practice is designed for professionals who are ready to deepen their impact and take the next step in their career. It is particularly suited to graduates in youth and community work who already hold a JNC‑endorsed professional qualification, as well as practitioners from related disciplines who want to engage with youth and community work at an advanced, strategic level as part of their continuing professional development.

This course responds directly to the realities of contemporary practice. You’ll develop the critical knowledge, confidence and leadership skills needed to navigate the complex challenges – and emerging opportunities – facing work with young people and communities today. With a strong focus on reflective, values‑driven practice, the programme supports progression into senior, managerial and developmental roles across the sector.

Teaching is delivered through six Level 7 modules, combining core learning with choice and flexibility. Four mandatory modules are complemented by two optional modules, combining on campus and online teaching and running over a semester. You’ll also complete an exciting 60‑credit dissertation, giving you the opportunity to explore in depth an area of youth and community practice that matters most to you, your organisation or your community.

By the end of the programme, you’ll graduate as a confident, critically informed professional – equipped to lead, influence and shape the future of youth and community work.

Modules

Mandatory

• Adolescent Development and Learning
• Young People and the Internet: Information, Communication, and Identity
• Leading and Managing Professional Practice
• Multi Agency Practice

Optional

• Mentoring and Coaching: Principles and Policies in Action
• Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children and Young People
• Youth Culture and Subculture: Sites for Radical Youth Work
• Developing Leadership and Management Capability through Enquiry (ILM accredited)

The Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Management is an exit point from the MA in Advanced Youth and Community Practice that entails successful completion of the two mandatory modules; and Leading and Managing Professional Practice and Developing Leadership and Management Capability through Enquiry (ILM accredited) and an optional module; Mentoring and Coaching: Principles and Policy in Action or Multi Agency Practice.

The course comprises 3 modules of study two of which are mandatory and a choice of one optional module.

Modules

Mandatory

• Leading and Managing Professional Practice
• Developing Leadership and Management Capability through Enquiry

Optional

• Mentoring and Coaching: Principles and Policy in Action
• Multi Agency Practice

MA Youth and Community Work

All modules have a focus on application to contemporary fieldwork practice contexts. The taught modules consist of lectures and group work/discussion, with the two modules attached to the placement providing more of an opportunity to develop critical reflection and analysis of context, with more of an acute focus on practice. All modules are taught by highly experienced professional youth and community workers with vast range of experience. Students will be expected to undertake a considerable amount of self-study to enhance the collective learning process. It is envisaged that students will utilise their fieldwork experience to enhance the level of analysis in all learning processes and engage in reflective learning throughout the duration of the course.

The full-time route will entail attendance of university to study a total of two tutorial modules every Tuesday evening 5-7pm over one academic year. The four taught modules are delivered as a study block; each one generally being taught intensively over three consecutive eight hour days, two per semester. The block study modules will also be supplemented with online learning materials and online Teams live seminars. Online learning materials will be uploaded to Moodle the university learning platform.

The part-time route will entail attendance of university to study a total of two tutorial modules bi-weekly on Tuesday evening 5-7pm in years 1 and 2. The four taught modules are delivered as a study block; each one generally being taught intensively over three consecutive eight hour days, one per semester. The block study modules will also be supplemented with online learning materials and online Teams live seminars. Online learning materials will be uploaded to Moodle the university learning platform.

Students on both part time and full-time routes will be allocated a Professional Tutor who will offer pastoral support throughout the programme, a Fieldwork Supervisor on each placement who will support and guide the student whilst on placement and a Professional Supervisor to support and guide the student through the dissertation process. This includes refining the question, literature review, selection of methods and analysis of data. Where possible the student will be allocated a supervisor with expertise in the research interest area of the student.

Postgraduate Diploma in Youth and Community Work

This will be delivered in the same way as the full MA as it is embedded within the MA and an exit award for those not wishing to complete a full master’s award.

Students on both part time and full-time routes as with the MA, will be allocated a Professional Tutor who will offer pastoral support throughout the programme, a Fieldwork Supervisor on each placement who will support and guide the student whilst on placement.

MA in Advanced Youth and Community Practice

All modules examine features present in contemporary youth and community work practice contexts at an advanced level and offer an opportunity for students to consider the content in relation to their own real-world experiences. Modules are taught substantively by professional youth and community worker and academics with specialism according to modules. The modules consist of lectures and group work/discussion. Students will be expected to undertake a considerable amount of self-study to enhance the collective learning process.

The full-time route will entail attendance of university to study modules that are delivered as a study block; each one generally being taught intensively over three consecutive eight hour days, three per semester. The block study modules will also be supplemented with online learning materials and online Teams live seminars. Online learning materials will be uploaded to Moodle the university learning platform.

The part-time route will entail attendance of university to study modules that are delivered as a study block; each one being generally taught intensively over three consecutive eight hour days, two per semester in year 1 and semester one of year 2, with one in semester two year 2. The block study modules will also be supplemented with online learning materials and online Teams live seminars. Online learning materials will be uploaded to Moodle the university learning platform.

Students on both part time and full-time routes will be allocated a Personal Tutor who will offer pastoral support throughout the programme. A Professional Supervisor will be allocated to support and guide the student through the dissertation process to include refining the question, literature review, selection of methods and analysis of data. Where possible the student will be allocated a supervisor with expertise in the research interest area of the student.

Students on the ETS professionally endorsed programmes will be assessed on both their youth and community work-based practice and their academic assignments through a range of assessment types, including essays, presentations, debates, blogs, group exercises, audio-visual work. Students will receive detailed annotations on all written work and audio summary feedback and detailed written and audio feedback on presentations and assessed debates and a reflective practice portfolio, to include fieldwork observations and assessment and viva voce. An assessed dissertation research study for those undertaking full master’s degrees will be assessed with detailed written feedback by two markers.

Students on the Advanced Practice master’s degree will be assessed through a range of assessment types, including essays, presentations, debates, blogs, group exercises, and audio-visual work. Students will receive detailed annotations on all written work and audio summary feedback and detailed written and audio feedback on presentations and academic debates with the dissertation assessed with detailed written feedback by two markers.

MA in Youth and Community Work

The programme leads to both an academic MA and a professional qualification in youth and community work through its endorsement for youth work by ETS Cymru Wales. The embedded post graduate diploma professional qualification significantly enhances employment opportunities in the field of youth and community work whilst the MA study significantly enhances skills of research and analysis in the field.

Postgraduate Diploma in Youth and Community Work

The Postgraduate Diploma in Youth and Community Work is an exit point from the master’s programme that leads to a professional qualification in youth and community work through its endorsement for youth work by ETS Cymru Wales. The qualification significantly enhances employment opportunities in the field of youth and community work.

MA Advanced Youth and Community Practice

The programme is aimed at practitioners and managers in the generic and expanding field of youth and community development work. It aims to develop professional understanding and skills through a supportive and challenging learning environment. The programme will be of particular interest to experienced practitioners who manage aspects of youth or community development provision as advanced practitioners or senior practitioners working in services for young people who wish to develop their analytical and professional capabilities.

Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Management of Youth Work

This programme is intended on providing an exit point from the full Master’s in Advanced Youth and Community Practice with a postgraduate certificate that has a focus on equipping leaders and managers in the contemporary and changing field of youth work with the skills and knowledge to lead and manage skilfully and effectively in practice.

MA in Youth and Community Work (qualifying route)

Applicants should have a minimum of 200 hours of direct and recent experience in the youth and community work sector or associated work with young people, families and communities.

Experience counts – whilst applicants should normally possess a degree or relevant professional qualification, practitioners who do not have an undergraduate degree but have considerable professional experience can apply for Exceptional Entry. We welcome lived experience and with our Exceptional Entry route, you can gain both a master’s degree and the sector’s professional qualification.

Please contact the Programme Director, Julia Rooney (jrooney@cardiffmet.ac.uk) to discuss this further.

We only offer conditional places for this course, subject to obtaining an enhanced DBS check prior to starting the course. Please check further DBS information here.

MA in Advanced Youth and Community Practice

Applicants will normally have substantive experience in services working with young people and communities and should normally possess a degree or a relevant professional qualification. Practitioners who do not have a first degree, but who have considerable professional experience can apply for Exceptional Entry. Please contact the Programme Director to discuss this further.

International Applicants

Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an academic IELTS 6.0 standard with no sub-score lower than 5.5 or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages.

Selection Procedure

Application form, CV and interview.

How to Apply

Applications for this course should be made direct to the University via our self-service system. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages.

If you are interested in using credit from another institution or have obtained qualifications and/or experience to study for a course at Cardiff Met, you can find further information on this as well as information on how to apply on the RPL page.

Tuition Fees and Financial Support

For up-to-date information on tuition fees and the financial support that may be available, please refer to www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/fees.

Part-time Fees

Charges are per Single Module unless specified:

Undergraduate = 10 Credits; Postgraduate = 20 Credits

Generally, we find most students will complete 60 credits per year (4 x 15 credit modules). To obtain a true costing please clarify this by contacting the Programme Director directly.

Partner Employee Discount

There is a fee discount of 25% available to part-time students who are employed in one of Cardiff Metropolitan University’s partnership schools for Initial Teacher Education and Training or partnership employer community. Eligibility criteria and terms apply. For further information please contact Admissions.

For general enquiries, please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6010 or email askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

For course specific enquiries, please contact the Programme Leader, Julia Rooney:

• Email: jrooney@cardiffmet.ac.uk
• Tel: ​029 2041 6504