Cardiff School of Education & Social Policy>Courses>Youth & Community Work - BA (Hons) Degree

Youth & Community Work - BA (Hons) Degree

Entry Year

At Cardiff Met, the BA (Hons) Youth and Community Work is an exciting, forward-thinking degree which has recently been revalidated and endorsed. This course will fully prepare you to respond to the current and emerging needs of young people and communities, whilst training as a professional youth and community worker. If you are looking to make a difference to the lives of young people and play a key role in society, this degree could be for you. 

Throughout the degree you will learn about the key issues facing young people and wider communities in society. You will grow in confidence, whilst gaining the knowledge, skills and experience required to be a passionate, supportive and engaging youth worker. In each year of study, you will gain significant practical experience on professional placement to enhance your learning and employability, through our strong links and partnerships.

On successful completion, you will graduate with a BA (Hons) degree in Youth and Community Work and also gain a professional qualification recognised by the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) and endorsed by Education Training Standards Cymru/Wales (ETS), plus you will be eligible to register with the Education Workforce Council (EWC)

Career prospects are high for Youth and Community Workers, working in a range of areas including youth justice, youth mentoring, supported housing, social justice, substance misuse, mental health and well-being, outdoor education and many more. 

Why study Youth and Community Work at Cardiff Met? 

  • Be taught by award winning and highly experienced youth and community workers with a range of specialist areas including street-based, prison and school-based youth work. 
  • Our reputable degree is rated 100% Overall Satisfaction by students (National Student Survey, 2022) 
  • We have strong networks and partnerships with employers and host an annual placement fayre to help you build your industry links
  • Over a third of the degree is practically focussed - Gain 800 hours of work experience. Plus, many graduates obtain paid employment before graduation from placements and networking opportunities. 
  • Opportunity to complete International and European placements – Read Josie’s Blog: My Indonesian Trip of a Lifetime
  • Standout modules: What Makes Us Who We Are; Contemporary Youth Work Policy and Practice; Education for Change and The Global Context.​

100% of graduates in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023)​

Foundation Year

If you think that a career in Youth & Community work is for you but feel you do not yet have the qualifications, experience or confidence to start the BA (Hons) Youth & Community Work, you can begin your journey by first undertaking the one-year Foundation Certificate in Youth & Community Work​ which prepares you to progress to the degree with confidence.

Please note: You will need to apply using a specific UCAS code if you wish to undertake the 4 years including foundation. Please refer to Key Course Information at the bottom of this page.

​Course Content​

​Degree:

Level 4 (Entry point 1)
(Available full-time (usually completed in 1 academic year) or part-time (can be completed over 2 academic years to fit perfectly alongside your job or other responsibilities

The BA (Hons) Youth & Community gives you the skills, knowledge and confidence to make a real difference in the communities in which you will work. Through a combination of taught sessions and professional placement, you get to put theory into practice and build your confidence as a youth and community worker.

You will explore current and contemporary issues, key topics in sociology and social psychology, whilst also studying human development and the learning theory that underpins informal and formal education practice. A community research module will enable you to undertake a small piece of research on a community of interest to you. You will have the opportunity to regularly reflect on your development and practice with tutors and colleagues through regular group tutorials.  

The practical and participatory modules you will study include: 

  • Practice Placement & Professional Development I (including 250 hours of real-world experience and skills) - 40 credits
  • Contemporary Youth & Community Work Policy & Practice - 20 credits
  • What Makes Us Who We Are - 20 credits
  • Working with People in a Social Context - 20 credits
  • Researching Communities - 20 credits


Level 5:
(Full-time usually completed in 1 academic year or up to 2 academics years part-time) 

You will get the opportunity to further develop your skills and enhance your knowledge by exploring how you can facilitate positive social change and help create a fairer and more just world. You will study issues such as discrimination, oppression, equality and social justice. You will also explore multi agency and partnership working so that you are equipped to take up any potential offers of employment whilst on placement. You will engage with weekly group tutorials and begin to enhance your understanding and confidence of social research ensuring you are fully prepared for your progression into Level 6.

The practical and engagin core modules you will study include: 

  • Practice Placement & Professional Development II (including 300 hours of real-world experience and skills) - 40 credits
  • Education for Change - 20 credits
  • Anti-Oppressive Practice & Being an Effective Ally - 20 credits
  • Partnership & Multi-Agency Working - 20 credits
  • Research within Youth & Community Context - 20 credits

 

Level 6:
(Full-time usually completed in 1 academic year or up to 2 academic years part-time) 

At Level 6, there are an exciting combination of core and option modules. As you will have developed a clearer idea of your particular areas of interest and potential career progression, you will have the opportunity of studying subjects, which reflect current and contemporary practice in the field of youth work and community development work that you feel best suit your aspirations.   

The core modules you will study include: 

  • Practice Placement & Professional Development III (including 250 hours of real-world experience and skills) - 40 credits
  • Dissertation Research Project (on a topic of your choice) - 40 credits
  • Leading & Managing Youth & Community Work - 20 credits

In addition to the core modules, you can choose an optional module from the following: 

  • Activism & Community Action for Change - 20 credits
  • Crime and Justice - 20 credits
  • The Global Context - 20 credits

Learning & Teaching

The BA (Hons) Youth & Community provides a perfect blend of academic study alongside the benefit of real-world professional experience at every level of study. 

More than a third of your course will be practice-based ensuring that you gain both the knowledge and skills necessary to gain employment as a Youth & Community worker. The course is structured to be inclusive, supportive and engaging providing you with a range of opportunities to learn through lectures, seminars, group work, independent study, small group tutorials and one to one personalised supervision and support from your Professional Tutors and Fieldwork Facilitators.

Moodle our virtual learning platform is a key resource designed to support your development at all levels of study. In addition, you will have access to an array of innovative and comprehensive e-learning packages developed by the Academic Skills Unit and a vast library of books and journals (including e-copies), available from Library Services.


Assessment

There are no exams on this programme, instead you will complete a wide mix of assessments including essays, group work, community profiles, posters, presentations and even designing games and resources. 

In addition to your professional placements, our focus is on ensuring your assessments provide you with opportunities to show case your strengths and skills and have been designed to enhance your employability and prepare you for the requirements of Youth & Community work in a wide range of settings.

Employability & Careers

This exciting Youth and Community BA (Hons) course is specially designed for those wanting to engage positively with children, young people, marginalised groups, and communities to support their personal, social and political development and champion social justice. 

The course is perfect for students who are interested in a range of community based professional practice including youth work, youth justice, youth mentoring, supported housing, alternative education, outdoor education, social justice, mental health and wellbeing, faith-based work, substance misuse, rights based and participation projects in maintained and voluntary sector organisations across the UK and internationally.

The BA (Hons) Youth & Community course at Cardiff Met provides you with a JNC and Education Training Standards (ETS) professionally endorsed qualification in youth and community work that allows you to register with the Education Workforce Council (EWC). 

Professionally qualified Youth & Community workers are in high demand particularly given the strong commitment made by Wales Government. Many of our graduates find paid employment in the above professions whilst they are students, and promotion is often secured upon completion of their professional qualification.

Graduates from the programme can also progress to study at Masters and PhD levels at Cardiff Metropolitan University. The School of Education & Social Policy Masters Framework which offers a number of qualifying routes including MA Education (with pathways), MA Advanced Youth and Community Practice.


Entry Requirements​ & How to Apply

Typical Offers

​The following requirements are based on typical offers relevant to entering year 1 of the degree.

If you do not meet these entry requirements, we also offer a Foundation Year which allows progression to Year 1 upon successful completion.​

  • Tariff points: 80-104
  • Contextual offer: See our contextual offers page.
  • GCSE: Five GCSEs at Grade C / 4 or above to include English Language / Welsh First Language, Mathematics / Mathematics – Numeracy.
  • English Language Requirement: Academic IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in all elements, or equivalent.
  • A level subjects: Minimum three A levels to include grades CCD-BCC. No specific subjects required. Welsh Baccalaureate – Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate considered as a third subject.
  • BTEC National / Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: MMP-MMM
  • T Level: Pass (C+).
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma: No specific subjects required.
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: No specific subjects required.
  • Irish Leaving Certificate: No specific subjects required. Higher level subjects only considered with a minimum grade H4.
  • Scottish Advanced Highers: No specific subjects required. Scottish Highers are also considered, either on their own or in combination with Advanced Highers.
  • Be qualified as a Youth Support Worker (Level 3 Certificate in Youth work or NVQ/VRQ Level 3) or equivalent qualifications in the Community Development sector.
  • Other requirements: Minimum 100 hours recent and relevant professional experience in the field of youth or community development work, successful interview and DBS.

Combinations of the above qualifications are accepted if they meet our minimum requirements. If your qualifications aren’t listed, please contact Admissions or refer to the UCAS Course Search.

Further information on Overseas qualifications can be found here.

If you are a mature applicant, have relevant experience or RPL that you would like us to consider, please contact Admissions.


How to Apply

Further information on how to apply can be found here.

Contact Us

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

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

We endeavour to deliver courses as described and will not normally make changes to courses, such as course title, content, delivery, and teaching provision. However, it may be necessary for the university to make changes in the course provision before or after enrolment. It reserves the right to make variations to content or delivery methods, including discontinuation or merging courses if such action is considered necessary. Please read our Terms and Conditions for the full information.

Key Course Information

Accredited by:
Professionally endorsed by the Education and Training Standards (ETS) Wales and recognised by the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) for Youth and Community Workers.

UCAS Codes:
(Full-time routes only)

​X320: 3-year degree
X32F: 4-year degree (including foundation year)​

Place of Study:
Cyncoed Campus

School:
Cardiff School of Education & Social Policy

Course Length:
Three years full-time for the degree or four years full-time with the foundation certificate.

Part-time route – normally 4 to 5 years, though students are allowed up to ten years to complete part-time, if they wish. Attendance for this course is flexible, depending on the number of modules completed each year.

Part-time Fees:
Charges are per single module unless specified: undergraduate = 10 credits. Please contact the programme leader for further information on modules to be studied part-time and how this will affect fees.

MEET THE TEAM
Meet the Team: Louise Cook

Meet Louise Cook, Senior Lecturer and Programme Director in the undergraduate Youth and Community Work programmes at Cardiff Met. Louise talks about her experience and how youth workers can really make a difference to young people.

STUDENT & GRADUATE EXPERIENCE
Blog
What does a Youth Worker do? My work experiences at Cardiff Youth Service with BA Youth & Community Work

Graduate Nel blogs about her love for youth work, her work placement experiences, and gaining paid employment as a Youth Support Worker whilst studying.
Read more

Blog
My BA Youth and Community Work placement experiences and helping the next generation of youth workers

Graduate Aimee writes about all of her placements and work experiences on the degree, and life after uni being a youth worker mentor.
Read more

Blog
From Foundation to BA to MA: My Amazing study journey with Youth and Community Work

Esther tells us about her rewarding study journey at Cardiff Met and the various youth work employment opportunities she has gained as a result.
Read more

Blog
My Indonesian trip of a lifetime with Youth & Community Work

Josie highlights how she found new confidence in her youth work volunteering at Kampus Diakonia Modern in Indonesia.
Read more

Blog
Youth and Community Work gave me a new confidence and a job I love

Graduate Mark blogs about his journey to youth and community work and securing his first paid job as a substance misuse youth worker for Cardiff Council.
Read more