COURSE CURRICULUM

The Youth and Community Work course offers a comprehensive blend of academic study and professional practice to prepare students for impactful careers with children and young people. In the first year, students focus on developing a strong foundation in youth work values, principles, and professional identity, while gaining hands-on experience through 300 hours of professional practice. Modules explore restorative justice, ethical reflection, and safeguarding, equipping students with the tools to address conflict and navigate complex professional challenges. Students also engage with sport, play, and outdoor learning, considering their role in supporting young people’s development, and build essential research, leadership, and project management skills. This combination of theory and practice encourages critical thinking, reflective practice, and the development of core competencies needed in the field. In the second year, the emphasis shifts toward independent research, as students undertake a major project and dissertation. These projects provide opportunities to critically evaluate the research process, apply professional insights, and make thoughtful recommendations for practice or further study. By graduation, students are equipped with professional, reflective, and research-based skills to support children and young people across diverse contexts, ensuring they are prepared to take on leadership roles in youth and community work.