Course details
Year of entry
2025
Duration
3 YRS (PT)
Institution Code
G53
Location
Blended Learning, Wrexham
Course Highlights
Study
your area of academic interest in youth and community work.
Flexible
delivery through a blended learning approach.
Support
from tutors with experience of conducting research in the field.
Why choose this course?
The MA Youth and Community Studies course is designed for practitioners who already hold a JNC professional qualification, or for those who have previously studied youth work, community development or youth studies, and would like to progress their studies at postgraduate level.
- Supported by tutors with experience of conducting research in the field, students on the course will work towards generating research that will have implications for youth work policy and practice, helping to shape professional identity within the sector and improve youth work provision for young people.
- The Youth and Community Department at Wrexham University is regarded as the “home of youth work in Wales”, having offered education and training to the youth and community sector since 1977. As such, the department has excellent links with employers across North Wales, North West England and the Midlands, and it works in partnership with organisations across the statutory, voluntary and third sector.
- Delivered through a blended learning approach, students will start each semester with an introductory residential weekend at our Wrexham Campus, then continue learning online with support from dedicated tutors. This approach is ideal for those who are looking to study around home and work commitments.
Key course features
- Flexible delivery through a blended learning approach, with a residential experience at the beginning of each semester, followed by online learning and face-to-face support with tutors as required.
- Further develop your academic research skills to critically analyse the underpinning philosophy of youth work and its values and principles, whilst conducting your own research.
- Option to tailor your learning to suit your specialist area of practice and interests through negotiated learning and research.
- Support from tutors with experience of conducting research in the field.
- Work towards generating research that will have implications for youth work policy and practice.
- Successful completion may lead to further study at PhD level.
What you will study
YEAR 1
MODULES
- Philosophy in Youth and Community Work (Core) - This module explores and critically analyses the underpinning philosophy of youth and community work, and examines how these concepts have shaped youth and community work theory and practice. It will encourage you to explore your own philosophy of education and professional identity, values and beliefs in relation to youth work and young people and society.
- Contemporary issues in Youth and Community Work (Core) - This module explores contemporary issues in youth and community work, focusing on the educative role of the practitioner in addressing oppression and social inequality.
YEAR 2
MODULES
- Advanced Research methods (Core) – This module is delivered 100% online, with the option to attend additional study groups to contextualise your learning to youth and community work. You will develop an advanced understanding of research paradigms and how they might be applied in social science research, to formulate a research proposal in an area of your expertise. This module forms a key element of preparing students for the Year 3 dissertation module.
- Negotiated Learning (Option) - This module aims to provide students with an opportunity to define their own focus of study within the parameters of youth and community work. Students will critically evaluate and analyse policy, practice and theoretical developments in that identified area. They will be offered the opportunity of devising their own assessment vehicle- this could be a project, essay, presentation etc.
- Leadership and Practice for Social Inclusion and Social Justice (Option) - Drawing upon the learning and insights from evidence, theory and experience, this module will enable learners to develop critical and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of leadership and practice for social inclusion and social justice at individual, community, national and international levels.
YEAR 3
MODULES
- Dissertation - The dissertation is an independent study project, involving the collection and analysis of data from primary sources, carried out by students on a topic of their choice within the context of youth and community work. This is an extended piece of writing that allows students to critically theoretical concepts and practice in relation to their chosen topic.
The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.
Entry requirements & applying
- We require an undergraduate degree classification of 2:1, but a 2:2 will be considered, in youth work, community development, social pedagogy or similar. Ideally with an existing JNC professional youth work qualification.
- We will also consider applicants with relevant youth and community work experience.
- Applicants will also need to successfully complete a short informal interview with the admissions tutor.
- A DBS may be required to undertake research in practice.
- Two references will be required.
NB: due to the blended delivery, and part time nature of this programme, it does not meet the requirements for international postgraduate student visas
Teaching & Assessment
Assessments are designed with the dual aims of supporting a student’s professional development and their academic understanding. This builds knowledge and skill from a belief that being an excellent practitioner means not only working with people, but also being able to express yourself in a range of ways that includes writing reports, documents and essays based on the collection and analysis of evidence to build an argument.
Throughout the programme, and within individual modules, a variety of assessment methods are employed which seek to demonstrate equity with respect to the individual needs, learning styles and interests of students. The forms of assessment are selected to ensure that they characterise the academic level of the modules, and are designed to enable students to explore the philosophies, concepts and theories underpinning youth work and community work, through the exploration and analysis of issues pertinent to these areas of social provision.
The transference of learning from one module to another is encouraged, and the core modules provide a focus for this. As such, assessment methods on this programme are used to develop a student’s confidence and ability to carry out a range of transferable skills, which are considered useful in both academic work and professional practice.
Assessments on this programme will take on a variety of forms, including essays, presentations, portfolios and contributing to online forums.
Teaching & Learning
Wrexham University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential. We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.
Career prospects
Our Careers & Employability service is there to help you make decisions and plan the next steps towards a bright future. From finding work or further study to working out your interests, skills and aspirations, they can provide you with the expert information, advice and guidance you need.
Graduates from the course work in a variety of settings, including working in projects and services in the following areas:
- Young Carers
- Care Leavers and Young People in Care
- Young Offenders
- Hospital Youth Work
- Mental Health
- Youth Homelessness and Housing
- Youth Sports and Health Development
- Youth Clubs and Street Based Youth Work
- Child Sexual Exploitation
- Outdoor Education
- Community Development
- Mentoring and Advocacy
- Young People who have disabilities
Fees & funding
You do not have to pay your tuition fees upfront.
The fees you pay and the support available will depend on a number of different factors. Full information can be found on our fees & finance pages. You will also find information about what your fees include in the fee FAQs.
All fees are subject to any changes in government policy, view our postgraduate fees.
Programme specification
You can see the full programme specification here.
Subject to validation
Courses shown as “subject to validation” are new courses which are in development and the details of these courses are in the process of being finalised through the approval cycle, known as the ‘validation’ process. As soon as the programmes are validated the details of the course will be confirmed. The majority of new courses that are still ‘subject to validation’ are approved by the validation process; however, this is not guaranteed and should the course not go ahead as planned, or be significantly amended, you will be informed by the university and assistance will be provided to those who have been offered a place to find a suitable alternative course either at Wrexham University or at another provider.
International Visa
This programme does not satisfy the requirements of Post Graduate International Visa Applications
Due to the part time nature of this programme, and the method of delivery, this programme does not satisfy the requirements for obtaining a Post Graduate International Visa to study and reside in the UK.
