Postgraduate Diploma / MA Youth and Community Work

Summary 2012/13

• Graduate with a higher degree professionally recognised by the National Youth Agency (NYA);
• Gain experience and understanding of youth and community work as a professional practitioner through work placements and the exploration of theoretical perspectives;
• Be at the forefront to progress in this expanding area as youth and community work becomes a graduate profession.

Please note, this programme is suspended for September 2012 entry.

The programme offers you the opportunity to study a Postgraduate Diploma, leading to a Masters degree, which is professionally recognised by the National Youth Agency (NYA) and can be studied full or part-time. You will explore all aspects of professional youth and community work practice including two fieldwork placement opportunities. It is expected that the dissertation element of the programme will be closely linked to youth and community work practice and provide some exciting opportunities to widen the scope of this growing professional field.

2012 Entry Requirements

To join this programme you must hold an honours degree, or acceptable equivalent qualification, plus relevant work experience.

You will demonstrate a balance of both appropriate work (normally over a minimum period of 12 months) and academic experience and this will be established through the application and interview process. All suitable applicants will be interviewed.

If you accept a formal offer from Edge Hill University you will be required to apply for a Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure indicating that you meet the mandatory criteria of 'Clearance to Work with Children and/or Vulnerable Adults'. Further information will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.

In line with the National Youth Agency requirements, no student shall be exempt from any part of the qualifying programme.

Summary 2013/14

• Graduate with a higher degree professionally recognised by the National Youth Agency (NYA);
• Gain experience and understanding of youth and community work as a professional practitioner through work placements and the exploration of theoretical perspectives;
• Be at the forefront to progress in this expanding area as youth and community work becomes a graduate profession.

Please note, this programme is suspended for September 2012 entry.

The programme offers you the opportunity to study a Postgraduate Diploma, leading to a Masters degree, which is professionally recognised by the National Youth Agency (NYA) and can be studied full or part-time. You will explore all aspects of professional youth and community work practice including two fieldwork placement opportunities. It is expected that the dissertation element of the programme will be closely linked to youth and community work practice and provide some exciting opportunities to widen the scope of this growing professional field.

2013 Entry Requirements

To join this programme you must hold an honours degree, or acceptable equivalent qualification, plus relevant work experience.

You will demonstrate a balance of both appropriate work (normally over a minimum period of 12 months) and academic experience and this will be established through the application and interview process. All suitable applicants will be interviewed.

If you accept a formal offer from Edge Hill University you will be required to apply for a Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure indicating that you meet the mandatory criteria of 'Clearance to Work with Children and/or Vulnerable Adults'. Further information will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.

In line with the National Youth Agency requirements, no student shall be exempt from any part of the qualifying programme.

Details

Who is this course for?

If you wish to start a career in the rapidly expanding youth services sector, this programme could be for you.

What will I gain from this programme?

If you wish to pursue a career within the youth services sector, this programme will give you the dual benefit of a professional recognition and a higher degree. This will give a significant boost to your employment prospects as a postgraduate candidate. Youth and Community work became a graduate profession from 2010 and completing this programme will allow you to qualify ahead of the field.

How we will support you

You will be allocated a Personal Tutor who will provide academic and pastoral support, help identify specific learning and study skills support needs, and serve as a link to other support and guidance services within the University and your placement organisation.

What will I study?

The programme will explore a range of theoretical perspectives concerning youth and community that have shaped research as well as policy and practice in relation to young people within their communities.

The programme will consider ways in which young people construct and maintain their social identities in the context of social change. You will examine the diversity and change evident in young people’s everyday social practices and community experiences. The diverse influences which political, cultural and social issues place upon the worker in the context of organisations and communities will also be explored.

An initial placement will give you the opportunity to gain experience and understanding of the role of the Youth and Community worker as a professional practitioner. An extended fieldwork placement equips you with experience and understanding of the role of the informal educator and the Youth and Community worker as a professional practitioner. You will also undertake a 20-25,000 word dissertation based on research.

How will I study?

The programme is delivered through formal lectures by tutors and visiting lecturers. Seminars, tutorials and workshops allow you to reflect on your learning, with further practical tutorials covering aspects of research design and measures and the use of statistical packages.

Please note, placement timings may include some evening and weekend work.

Placement

You will complete a placement experience (120 hours) and a block placement (480 hours). These placements are compulsory and must be passed to achieve professionally qualified status. Within the fieldwork modules there is ample opportunity for you to design your own learning contract. This will include elements of both group work and one-to-one work with young people.

Who will be teaching me?

The core teaching team consists of a programme leader and a placement coordinator, both experienced Youth and Community Workers qualified with the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), alongside experienced staff from throughout the Faculty.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment will be through a varied range of tasks from written assignments and presentations to peer assessment, reflective pieces and professional assessments by placement supervisors.

What are my career prospects?

On completion of the MA Youth and Community Work you will have a professionally recognised qualification which is highly desirable in all Integrated Youth Services. These include professional roles within youth and community work, youth offending teams, school mentoring projects and some forms of residential social care.

Professional Accreditation

The course is professionally recognised by The National Youth Agency (NYA).

Further study at Edge Hill University

Students may choose to progress to a Doctorate.

Related Programmes

• BA (Hons) Childhood and Youth Studies
• BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies

A Great Study Environment

Based in 160 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, the Ormskirk Campus is a unique and inspirational place to study. Industry standard resources and cutting edge technology combine to make an interactive and highly advanced teaching and learning environment. Everything you could want is on one site with fantastic modern spaces in which you can study and socialise and 25 acres of sport and leisure facilities.

The University library gives you access to thousands of books, journals, online resources and extensive PC and media provision. You'll get all the support you need to succeed, reflected in Edge Hill University being ranked in the top two in England for students' personal development, and the top three in the country for assessment and feedback, in the 2011 National Student Survey. The University is also featured in the top four in England for graduate employment.

How do I apply?

Apply online through UKPASS. Visit www.ukpass.ac.uk.

See our How to Apply pages for more information on the application process and our Admissions criteria. All suitable candidates will be interviewed.

Fees and Finance

Tuition fees are £4,320pa for full-time study on this programme in academic year 2012/13. Part-time postgraduate students in academic year 2012/13 will pay £250 per 10 credit module, £500 per 20 credit module and £1,500 per 60 credit module. 180 credits are required to complete the MA. Information for UK and EU students only. Full-time fees for international postgraduate students are £11,500pa for academic year 2012/13.

Edge Hill graduates joining an eligible postgraduate programme at the University in academic year 2012/13 could benefit from a 20% reduction in tuition fees. If you're a UK or EU student and will be paying the fees yourself, you might be eligible to receive this discount. See www.edgehill.ac.uk/reducedfees for more information.

Where can I find out more?

If you would like to receive a copy of our prospectus or be kept updated about forthcoming events, contact the Course Information, Advice and Guidance Team by emailing study@edgehill.ac.uk or calling 01695 657000.

If you want to attend one of our open events held throughout the year, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/postgradopendays to book your place.

You will also find Edge Hill University staff at many postgraduate study fairs taking place across the UK and Ireland.

Still want more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask the programme leader about this course, please contact Ursula Curwen on 01695 584218 or email ursula.curwen@edgehill.ac.uk.

Overseas students should visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/international or email international@edgehill.ac.uk for further information.

Modules

You can choose to exit this programme with a Postgraduate Certificate Youth and Community Studies (without professional recognition), Postgraduate Diploma Youth and Community Work (professionally recognised) or complete the full course for the MA Youth and Community Work.

YCW4001 Understanding Youth and Community Perspectives, Identities and Contexts (20 credits) explores, from a sociological position, a range of theoretical perspectives concerning youth and community which have shaped research, policy and practice in relation to young people within their various communities. You will consider the ways in which young people construct and maintain their social identities in the context of social change and the diversity and change evident in young people’s everyday social practices and community experiences.

YCW4002 Youth and Community Work Principles in to Practice (20 credits) demonstrates the relationship between theories, ideologies, codes of practice and effective, ethical practice in the real world. It explores a range of professional national vocational standards, codes of practice and benchmark statements.

SPS4003 Research Methods (20 credits) equips you with the knowledge and skills to complete a Postgraduate Diploma or to develop a proposal for, and undertake, a research-based dissertation at Masters level.

YCW4003 The Youth and Community Worker as Manager (10 credits) will provide you with an enhanced understanding of the managerial and organisational responsibilities a worker will take on board within their professional practice.

YCW4004 Organisations, Structure and Personal and Professional Development (10 credits) reflects upon the diverse influences which political, cultural and social issues may place upon the worker in the context of organisations and community settings. This will allow you to consider personal and professional labels which may affect the worker in terms of their effect as an agent for change.

YCW4005 Professional Fieldwork Placement Experience (10 credits) helps you gain experience and understanding of the role of the Youth and Community worker as a professional practitioner.

YCW4006 Professional Fieldwork Block Placement (30 credits) equips you with experience and understanding of the role of the informal educator and the Youth and Community worker as a professional practitioner. The practice enables you to build on the skills and knowledge developed in the work place and alternative practice.

YCW4007 Dissertation (60 credits) involves completing a 20-25,000 word dissertation based on research.