MA Youth & Community Work (JNC)

What you will study

 YEAR 1

 MODULES 

• Theorising Youth and Community Work (including professional placement 1)(Core) This module will provide the opportunity to critically analyse core theories that inform youth and community work practice, and look at how social and political factors impact on our work with young people. It will be an opportunity to critically examine how these combine to shape your professional identity. Students will also undertake a 180 hour work placement.
• 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.
• Applied Youth Work Practice (Core) - An opportunity to build on your learning from Year 1, applying theory to practice and demonstrating your new skills and competencies in an alternative 120 hour youth work placement. This module must be successfully completed but does not hold any credit value.
• 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 also be offered the opportunity to devise their own assessment vehicle- this could be a project, an essay, a 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

NB: The JNC professional qualification is gained after successful completion of Year 1 & 2.

YEAR 3

MODULES 

• Dissertation The dissertation is an independent study, 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 evaluate 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

The academic entry requirements for the course are a good honours degree or appropriate professional qualification.

Previous experience of 200 hours in a youth and community work setting is required and must be evidenced. This can be gained in voluntary or paid work within the field of youth and community work. The programme team are able to advise students regarding volunteering and work experience opportunities if required.

All applicants considered suitable for the course will be interviewed, and those with disabilities or from relevant courses will automatically be offered an interview.

Many modules will require you to be working in, or have access to, a suitable youth and community work practice environment in order for you to contextualise your learning and complete the assessments.

You will also be required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance (previously known as CRB) so that a check can be made on your suitability for working with children and/or vulnerable adults.

NB: 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.

Teaching & Assessment

Assessments are designed with the dual aims of supporting a student’s professional development and their academic understanding. This builds knowledge and skills 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 and 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 will therefore take on a variety of forms including essays, presentations, portfolios and contribution 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

Successful completion of this course leads to a JNC professional Youth Work Qualification, which is requirement for registration with the Education Work Force Council in Wales. This is also the professional qualification required for most Youth Work jobs in England and Scotland. You will complete over 300 hours of placement on the course which provides you with relevant work experience in the Youth and Community Work sector. 

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

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.

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 and accreditation

Courses shown as “subject to validation and accreditation” 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. These courses are also in the process of applying for accreditation/recognition by external bodies, known as PSRBs – Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies, which is a separate external approval process with the relevant PSRBs.  

As soon as the programmes are validated and accredited the details of the course will be confirmed. The majority of new courses that are still ‘subject to validation and accreditation’ are approved as expected 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.