Youth and Community Development has been designed to develop practitioners who will support and empower young people to make a positive contribution to their lives and the wider community. Whether in supporting young people to deal with their personal or social problems, or in celebrating their contributions and achievements, qualified youth workers are advocates for young peoples rights.
100 per cent of our Youth and Community graduates, seeking to enter employment or further study, are successful after six months of completing their course (DLHE 2009/10)
One of the UK's largest Youth and Community teaching and research teams, our established reputation of academic expertise and professional training spans more than 50 years
UCAS course code: L530
Duration: Three years full-time, three–six years part-time
Institution code: D26
Plus one of the following:
A Levels:
BTEC:
Access to HE Diploma:
International Baccalaureate: 28+ Points.
This course welcomes mature students and values their experience. In some cases an alternative experiential and academic profile may be accepted for entry.
You must complete a declaration form and enhanced CRB disclosure application form before starting the course, which needs to be cleared in accordance with DMU’s admissions policy. Contact us for up-to-date information.
Interview Required: Yes
If English is not your first language, we require an English language level of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
Personal Statement selection criteria
Teaching methods include lectures, scenarios/simulations, role play, small group discussions and various practical work-based tasks.
You will normally attend around 14 hours of timetabled taught sessions, plus 18 hours of placements/voluntary work, and 5.5 hours of independent learning and group work tasks per week.
There are no exams, but each module has several different assignments including written essays, presentations, group projects and reports. Assessment of field practice is through observation, reports, and an accompanying portfolio of evidence.
Employer-based students normally attend one or two days a week.
First year
The first year explores the history and development of youth and community work and other services that work with young people. It includes work around identity and anti-oppressive practice and observation of different organisations that work with young people.
Second year
The second year develops skills and understanding of youth and community work, society and social policy, along with your ability to identify and tackle oppression. It promotes a greater understanding of inter-agency work, community development and management.
Third year
The third year focuses on enhancing your research skills, increasing your understanding of social issues and extending your range of practical and managerial skills.
The Youth and Community Division is one of the largest teaching teams in the UK, with more than 50 years’ experience.
Validated by the National Youth Agency (NYA), it provides a professional qualification recognised by the JNC, where we consistently achieve the highest scores in professional quality assurance.
In the first year you will carry out voluntary work to support and empower young people in the wider community. This takes place in settings from youth and community centres to schools and voluntary organisations, providing informal education programmes to stimulate creativity and learning.
The second and third years involve assessed practice placements. You gain experience in an exciting range of organisations and projects, working on issues including mentoring, advice and guidance, youth justice, homelessness, drug and alcohol misuse, global youth work and arts and sports based work.
Employer-based students normally carry out the first placement with their employer and the practice placement in a new work environment.
Placements provide the opportunity to have hands-on experience and learn directly from working professionals. (Please note that there maybe travel costs associated with placement attendance).
Learn more about our Placement opportunities|
Graduates with a professional qualification have proven skills in working with people, management, judgement and analysis for example. Employment opportunities include detached youth work, community development, work for Connexions, children’s trusts and schools, mentoring, rural development, play, arts, drugs, health and youth justice work.
Many students choose to further enhance their professional career with one of our Youth/ Health and Community postgraduate courses; available both with and without professional qualifications.
Learn more about graduate employability and careers|
Please note: these fees are for 2012 and are subject to change.
Learn more about fees and funding information|.
Continued investment at DMU means you will benefit from two newly refurbished Health and Life Sciences buildings with improved learning and teaching facilities; including state-of-the-art lecture theatres, domestic Home Environment suites and social hubs for focussed group study.
Learn more about our first-class study facilities|
Apply through UCAS at www.ucas.com|
Health and Life Sciences Admissions
T: +44 (0)116 257 7700 E: hls@dmu.ac.uk|
Students visit as part of the Global Youth work module.
visit the website| for more details.
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