Youth work has been described as ‘the science of enabling young people to believe in themselves and build positive futures’ (National Youth Agency).

Working with people primarily aged between 11 and 25 is both a challenging and rewarding career choice and the professionals specialising in this field aim to support a young person to develop both personally and socially.

On this course, you’ll cover the history and development of youth and community work, explore the self, groups and learning, society and social policy, and develop your understanding of social science.

You’ll also be looking at oppression, globalisation, how agencies work together, and community development and management, as well as enhancing your research, practical and managerial skills.

Compulsory work placements in youth and community centres, and schools and voluntary organisations, provide ample opportunity to achieve hands-on experience working alongside professional youth and community workers. And you’ll see, first-hand, some of the issues that can affect young people and their communities.

Our graduates go on to work in a variety of areas including detached youth work, community development, working with homeless communities, the education sector, with refugees and asylum seekers, mentoring roles, the arts industry, healthcare and youth justice work.