Foundation Certificate in Youth & Community Work

The programme is offered as a full-time mode of study over one academic year. Delivery runs across a 24 week academic year comprising university based studies and practice in negotiated placement settings. 

The programme is modular in structure with a total of three modules making up the programme. The 60 credit module incorporates fieldwork practice and sits alongside two 30 credit modules. 

This core ‘spine’ of modules is undertaken by all students: 

• Professional Practice in Youth Work (60 credits)
  
• Preparation for Learning in Youth & Community Work (30 credits) 
  
• The Social Context of Youth & Community Work (30 credits)
  

The key features of this programme are that it offers both academic and professional qualifications in youth work simultaneously, underlining the fundamental link between theory and practice.

The programme teaching team intend to encourage learning and teaching methods that are, as far as practicable, appropriate to youth and community work practice. The programme will therefore be taught according to the following principles: Adult learners bring with them experiences that can be used as resources for learning and to which new learning should be related; 

• Adult learners bring with them experiences that can be used as resources for learning and to which new learning should be related; 
• Adult learners can help each other because of their wealth of experience and their capacity for collective learning; 
  
• The educative methods used should adhere to the principles underpinning youth and community work delivery, where possible; 
  
•  The educative methods used should have relevance to youth and community work delivery and experience, where possible; 
  
•  The learning environment should be a safe and accepting environment. 
  

Participative and interactive lectures, self-directed study, peer-led seminars and small group tutorials will be the most prevalent teaching methods in university while individual tutorials will tend to take place in placement settings. Reflective practice will be encouraged as a primary form of learning on this programme and will be utilised in both the university and placement setting.

The programme will utilise a wide variety of formative and summative assessment methods designed to complement the non-formal learning environment experienced by practitioners. These may include:

• Written assignments
• Reflective journals
  
• Presentations
  
• Portfolio
  
• Teaching exercises
• Workshop delivery
  
• Resource development
  
• Poster design
  
• Practice-based exercises
• Role play / simulation

Assessment includes both individual assessment and group assessment, to reflect the demands of professional practice.

Students who successfully complete the Foundation Certificate have the option of progressing to the BA (Hons) Youth & Community Work (Youth Work) course. 

The Foundation Certificate course is distinctive in that students are able to obtain the Certificate in Youth Work (Level 3), the professional qualification for Youth Support Workers. Obtaining this qualification increases employability options for students and may open up additional placement opportunities during degree level study.

Entry Requirements:  Applicants to the Foundation Certificate in Youth and Community Work should have an interest in the field of youth and community work and one of the following:

• 48 points from at least 2 A Levels or their equivalent at an appropriate standard for entry into Higher Education at Level 4
• RQF National Extended Diploma/Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma PPP
• 48 points from at least  2 Scottish Advanced Highers. Scottish Highers are also considered, either on their own or in combination with Advanced Highers
• 48 points from the Irish Leaving Certificate at Highers.  Higher level subjects considered only with a minimum grade H4
• Be qualified with a Level 2 Award in Youth Work or NVQ/VRQ level 2.

Entry is also subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. More details about DBS procedures can be found at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/dbs.

It is also possible to apply for exceptional entry if you do not meet the academic entry criteria above if you have significant experience in youth and community work and are able to show that you can work at Foundation level (level 3).  Please contact the Programme Director if you wish to discuss this.

If you are studying combinations of the above or if your qualification isn't listed, please either contact Admissions or refer to the UCAS Course Search for the entry requirements.  Further information on our entry requirements, including qualifications from the EU can be found by clicking here.    

International Applicants
Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.0 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.

Selection Procedure:
Selection is based on the receipt of a UCAS application form and an interview.​

How to Apply:​
Applications for the full-time course should be made online to UCAS at www.ucas.com. Part-time applications should be made direct to the university at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/selfservice​. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.

Mature students

A mature applicant is anyone over the age of 21 who didn't go to university after school or college. Cardiff Met welcomes applications from mature applicants and further advice and information can be found here.

For general enqui​ries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk​

For course specific enquiries, please contact the programme leader, Louise Cook 
Email: lcook@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Tel: 029 2020 5947