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PG Dip/MA Youth and Community Work
Introduction
This challenging programme provides an opportunity for students to gain both a degree at Masters Level and a professional qualification in Youth & Community Work. The programme combines practical fieldwork experience with academic study.
One of the course’s primary objectives is the development of students’ ability to integrate theory and practice, and become effective and reflective practitioners. There is a participative approach to teaching, with considerable opportunity for students to negotiate their own focus in their learning.
The MA Youth & Community Work programme at UCP Marjon has been awarded the highest category `satisfactory with distinction` in the National Youth Agency Annual Monitoring Report, 2009.
Course Code / Duration
Duration
Postgraduate Diploma: 1 Year Full-Time or 2 Years Part-time; upon completion of the PG Diploma students can exit with that award, interrupt and return in a subsequent year, or proceed to submit a MA dissertation: 1 Year Part-Time
Entry Requirements
- One-year’s experience (paid, voluntary, full-time or part-time) of youth and community work
- A relevant first degree
- An understanding of youth and community work, as well as a commitment to the value base of the course.
- Applicants will be interviewed
If you wish to discuss special entry requirements, please contact the Programme Leader, Christine Smith, 01752 636700 Ext 5676, e-mail csmith@marjon.ac.uk or contact the Admissions Office on 01752 636890.
A decision will be made via the application form and through an informal interview. For international students this can be arranged via Skype or some other agreed method with the programme leader.
NB: Before starting this programme, applicants need to complete an Enhanced Records Disclosure, issue by the Criminal Records Bureau. Information about the CRB can be found at: www.direct.gov.uk/crb
Applying:
Apply directly to UCP Marjon
Application Form (word document)
Module Information
PG Dip Programme Structure
Students initially are required to complete their Postgraduate Diploma (Year 1) with professional qualification before undertaking a practitioner research project (Year 2) to inform the Masters dissertation of 15,000 words.
Postgraduate Diploma: Year 1 (full time and part time routes available)
This route is appropriate for UK/EU and International students. EU and International students will have the opportunity to study and undertake a placement in the UK over a 12 week period and complete the remaining part of their PG Diploma and MA in the EU or another International setting.
Modules:
Principles and practice of youth and community work 15 credits
Anti oppressive practice: Ethics, values and professional identity 15 credits
Developing interpersonal communication 15 credits
Concurrent placement (148 hours of work based learning) 15 credits
Leadership and management in youth and community work 15 credits
Critical reflective practice 15 credits
Block placement (444 hours) 30 credits
MA Programme Structure
Students who have successfully completed their Postgraduate Diploma (Year1) can exit with that award, or they can return the following year on interrupt and return in any subsequent year to submit a dissertation for the MA. The Masters dissertation of 15,000 words is based on a separate practitioner research project.
Modules:
Principles and Practice of Youth and Community Work
This module discusses the values, origins and key purposes of the history of youth and community work practice; models of youth and community work practice; political context and development of youth policy.
Anti Oppressive Practice: Ethics, Values and Professional Identity
This module focuses on social divisions/inequalities, social justice/inclusion and youth and community work; policy and practice in relation to anti-discriminatory practice; particular forms of discrimination and their impact on practice and frameworks/theoretical perspectives for anti-discriminatory approaches in fieldwork.
Developing Interpersonal Communication
A module which discusses issues of power and control in youth and community work contexts: ethical considerations; impact of race, class and gender;
interpersonal skills; elements of communication, and theoretical frameworks for interpersonal communication.
Leadership and Management in Youth and Community Work
This module is centred on relationship potential value conflict between management and youth and community work; organisational management, structure and culture; different management styles; information, presentation and communication skills, and management and equality within organisations.
Critical Reflective Practice
A module which focuses on support to fieldwork placements; National Occupational Standards; managing professional development, reflective practice, including theoretical perspectives; ethical dimensions of practice; supervision, and specific interventions.
Researching Youth and Community Work Practice
This module centres around research approaches; their relationship to social change; research methods; ethical issues in research; action research approaches – design, implementation and evaluation; persectives and paradigms, and social research as a key tool for practice. This module supports the MA dissertation.
Year 1 Part-time
Researching Youth and Community Work Practice 60 credits
Fees and Funding
Course Tutors
Career Opportunities
Youth and community workers are in demand across a wide range of agencies and settings both locally and nationally. From main stream youth work running centres, projects in the Third Sector to work in schools and with youth work partners such as Public Health. The MA Youth and Community is not only responsive to the continuing professional development needs of students in the UK but is also transferable to other Youth and Community Work settings internationally.
The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) accreditation is one of the few nationally recognised professional qualifications which places successful students in an
excellent position to gain employment in a variety of youth related fields. The University College has well established and on-going contact with local and national agencies and a developing rapport with international providers, so the career prospects for graduates of the programme are excellent.
Additional Information
Student Profile - Becca Adshead
PG Dip Youth & Community Work
"I completed a BA in Community Work and Outdoor Education and found out about the PG Dip during that course.
I have a background in community work but wanted formal qualifications to back up my experience. During the course I attended a placement which helped me meet a number of contacts in the diversity and race sector, which has now led to a job as a Youth Participation Worker for the Racial Equality Council. I particularly enjoy the drama therapy group and working with young people on the Respect Festival.
The benefit of studying this course at UCP Marjon is that it is a practitioner based course so everything you learn is transferable to real life. The course covered so many things; social policy, current youth work issues, law, interpersonal skills, diversity, race and gender.
The learning experience has been really enjoyable. The interaction, seminars and group work make the course more interesting than simply being lectured to. I absolutely loved the course, so am happy to promote it. The lecturers have been very supportive and take a personal interest in all the students."
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