Youth and Community Work In-Service BA(Hons) 2012-13

Youth and community work is an exciting yet demanding career. Youth workers encourage the individual, educational and social development of the young people they work with, helping them develop into confident young adults.

Our course is designed to meet the needs of people working within the field of youth and community work who seek a qualification which combines vocational and academic skills, values and knowledge. The qualification includes the professional qualification endorsed by the National Youth Agency.

This course has replaced the Youth and Community Work FdA.

If you want to know more about the sector and career opportunities, take a look at nya.org.uk for more information.

This course is part of a range of opportunities designed for those interested in the many approaches there are to community based learning. It is run alongside a full-time route Youth and Community Work BA(Hons). We also offer a full-time (not working in the sector) and part-time course (if working in the sector) who already have an honours degree; Youth and Community Work, Diploma in Professional Studies.

Our full-time undergraduate course, Youth and Community Work BA(Hons), has been offered since 1995. Our experience, along with colleagues in Careers Guidance, enabled us to form the Pennine Consortium in 2000 to become the largest provider of Connexions training (Personal Advisor Diploma and Understanding Connexions), with contracts covering the north of England.

The course was developed with the involvement of people in the profession who continue to support and help develop the course through our course committees, supporting student placements and giving guest lectures. Our staff have a wealth of experience, are actively involved in research and have a strong involvement in the field.

Year 1
* Support to Work-based Learning
* The Self in its Social Context
* Informal Education: Theory and Reading
* Foundations for Practice

Year 2
* Young People, Transitions and Social Policy
* Professional Interactions in Youth and Community Work
* Issues of Social Exclusion
* Professional Formation

Year 3
* Research Methods
* Young People, Social Control and Youth Justice
* Management in Practice
* Learning and Developmental Supervision

Year 4
* Major Study
* Theories of Informal and Community Education
* Working with Communities

Your place of work will be your substantive placement. We negotiate with your employer to ensure that you have the opportunities to demonstrate the work-based learning outcomes required for successful completion of the course. In addition, you will be required to undertake a second placement of 230 hours elsewhere, probably in your fourth year of study.

As this course leads to a vocational qualification, you will be able to seek employment in a wide range of statutory and voluntary agencies and institutions.

National Youth Agency www.nya.org.uk

Teaching methods include tutor input, seminars and group activities. Assessment includes assignments, reports, presentations and timed activities.

Attendance is Wednesday, 9.15am to 6.15pm.

Home and EU students starting this course during the academic year 2012/13 will pay the standard fee of £830 per 20 credit module (rising only with inflation). Students on this course normally take 90 credits a year, so the cost will be £3735 in 2012/13.

From September 2012 onwards new part-time undergraduate students can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover their tuition costs. Information about fees and loans can be found at: 2012 Paying fees and loans

If you are eligible for the tuition fee loan then you don’t pay anything back until four years after you start (or when you leave the course) and earn over £21,000 a year. See our video that puts the costs into perspective: cup of coffee

All new students must have funding in place or pay a deposit to enrol on a programme of study with the University from September 2012.

As a prospective or current student at Huddersfield our Finance Office can provide telephone advice or drop in sessions to discuss and help with your individual enquiry. To find out more visit: Finance Advice

Other useful links
Government information on loans, repayment and other possible financial support: 2012 financial support
Am I eligible for student finance
Application for grants for part-time study 2011/12
Government finance forms and guides

This course is based in the Lockside and Canalside East buildings. Lockside, an award winning renovated mill alongside the Huddersfield narrow canal, houses teaching rooms, computer labs and staff offices. The teaching rooms are well equipped, with AV equipment (including electronic whiteboards) plus links to the internet.

Our computers in the teaching rooms are available to all students outside timetabled hours. They hold a wealth of software for our courses; including Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe studio as well as specialised course software. Wireless internet connections are also available.

You receive training from the Academic Librarian on information and research skills and electronic methods of accessing library facilities. Training on the use of Blackboard helps you to access our virtual learning environment.

Student views
"The course has helped me to progress academically, intellectually and has made me a better all round person. I have really enjoyed the experience."
"I think that the course is very good and interesting and relevant to practice, the tutors are helpful and understanding and I enjoy the placement aspect!"
Course evaluations, 2010

We have recently developed a route of the MA Professional Development, Leading in the Integrated Services. This is aimed at managers and experienced workers now engaged in developing the integrated working of Children's Trusts and Integrated Youth Support Services. This is offered both in Huddersfield and at our Barnsley campus.

Students can then choose to further their studies with the professional doctorate, the Doctor of Education EdD or the more traditional PhD.

Applying to Huddersfield.
We hope you’re interested in what you’ve seen and want to apply to join us.
You apply directly to the University online at http://halo.hud.ac.uk/applicationform/

Research plays an important role in informing all our teaching and learning activities. Through research our staff remain up-to-date with the latest developments in their field, which means you develop knowledge and skills that are current and highly relevant to industry. For more information, see the Research section of our website.

Alternative Study Options
We also offer a full-time postgraduate, and full and part-time undergraduate courses in Youth and Community Work. The part-time courses offer an opportunity to gain the professional qualification whilst working in youth and community work.

Options for youth work courses and other careers include:
Youth and Community Work, BA(Hons), full and part-time
Youth and Community Work, Diploma in Professional Studies, full-time
Leading in the Integrated Services, Professional Development, MA, full-time
Teacher Training, Lifelong Learning, CertEd/PGCE, full and part-time
Teacher Training, Secondary, various subjects, PGCE, full-time
Guidance, PGDip, full-time
Early Years Professional Status, full and part-time