Program Overview

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MA/PDip in Child, Youth and Community

The MA/PDip in Child, Youth and Community is designed for professionals already working in and/or for those who have a strong interest to work in the child, youth and community sector. It is suitable for recent graduates and mature students who wish to acquire a specialised Level 9 qualification, which will add value to their existing qualifications by deepening their knowledge of the sector and providing them with skill sets high in demand.

Course Overview

• The course is based in the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre within the Institute of Lifecourse and Society.
• Teaching is informed by the Centre's dynamic research programme focused on what works in the real world of policy and practice when working with and for children, youth and their communities.
• The programme provides a flexible study route with full-time and part-time options, a Postgraduate Diploma exit award, and blended learning opportunities, designed to support students to balance their studies with work and personal commitments.

Course Structure

• The MA is designed to accommodate the needs of professionals by offering a flexible and blended approach to learning.
• Students can avail of a one-year full-time or a two-year part-time MA or one-year full-time Postgraduate Diploma.
• Delivered mid-week, each 12-week teaching semester comprises five weeks of on-campus teaching across the semester.
• In the intervening seven weeks, students can join the classroom remotely.

Modules

The modules you will study are designed to:

• Build students' knowledge and practical skills in programme planning and evaluation;
• Support students to critically explore new lines of research and prepare them to use research evidence to inform policy and practice;
• Develop students' capacity to design and deliver human rights-based and culturally sensitive programmes and policies;
• Enable students to develop their capacity as leaders in this field;
• Enhance students' skills in communication and innovative thinking;
• Provide students with professional experience and networking opportunities.

MA Students

• Are required to complete 90 credits (ECTs) worth of modules - 70 ECTs will be taught core and optional modules.
• A further 20 ECTs will be awarded for the successful completion of an independent research project (dissertation).
• This can take the form of a research paper, a community-based research project, or a conference presentation.

Postgraduate Diploma Students

• Are required to complete 60 credits (ECTs) worth of modules, combining core and option modules.
• Postgraduate Diploma students do not undertake an independent research project.

Curriculum

Year 1 (90 Credits)

• Required SP6146: Research Methods & Methodology
  • Semester 1 | Credits: 10
  • This module aims to give students a solid grounding in research methods.
• Required SP6145: Research Paper
  • 15 months long | Credits: 20
  • The dissertation/final research project module shall enable the student to acquire the knowledge, comprehension, abilities, and perspectives needed for conducting independent research.
• Required SP6135: Research Workshops I
  • Semester 1 | Credits: 5
  • This module provides the opportunity for students to engage in a series of workshops relevant to the development of their research project.
• Required SP6139: Human Rights and Social Justice
  • Semester 1 | Credits: 10
  • Drawing on inter-disciplinary perspectives, this module provides students with an understanding of the international human rights system and social justice and human rights concepts and principles.
• Required SP6130: Programme Planning & Evaluation
  • Semester 1 | Credits: 10
  • This module is designed to enable students to consider two key components in the provision of child, youth and community services, planning and evaluation.
• Required SP6140: Families, Children and Young People: Sociological Perspectives and Policy Issues
  • Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 10
  • This module focuses on sociological perspectives and policy issues related to children, young people, and families.
• Required SP577: Community Development and Families
  • Semester 2 | Credits: 5
• Required SP6136: Research Workshops II
  • Semester 2 | Credits: 5
  • This module is a continuation of Research Workshops I.
• Optional SP6127: Professional Experience
  • 12 months long | Credits: 10
  • This module will enable students to undertake field-based learning or collaborate on research projects, which involves 6-8 weeks working with a partner organisation.
• Optional SP6128: Field-Based Learning
  • Semester 2 | Credits: 5
  • This module provides students with opportunities for experiential learning through the undertaking of local or international fieldtrip visits.
• Optional SP530: Working with Specific Populations
  • Semester 2 | Credits: 5
• Optional GG6109: Gender, Sexuality and Global Health
  • Semester 2 | Credits: 10
  • This course considers current global health crises created by the worldwide drive to privatize healthcare, the rise of disease pandemics, such as COVID19 and HIV/AIDS, as well as other complex emergencies.
• Optional SP6122: Social and Political Context of Activism and Advocacy
  • Semester 2 | Credits: 10
  • This course provides an introduction to the social and political context of international advocacy and activism.
• Optional GG113: Applied Gender Analyses
  • Semester 2 | Credits: 5
  • This module introduces approaches and tools that are used in developing, implementing, and monitoring policy frameworks and the programmes of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Unique Features

• Real-World Engagement: The course has strong connections with national and international youth work and community development organisations, whose staff provide guest lectures, training, and placement opportunities for students.
• Research-Led Teaching: The course is based in the UNESCO affiliated Child and Family Research Centre within the Institute of Lifecourse and Society.
• Collaborative Community: The course offers the opportunity to be part of a thriving and supportive post-graduate community within the wider School of Political Science and Sociology.
• Flexible Approach to Learning: The Programme provides a flexible study route with full-time and part-time options, a Postgraduate Diploma exit award, and blended learning opportunities.

Careers

Typically graduates will seek employment in areas such as youth work, community development, child welfare, national or international public policy and administration, advocacy, research, and evaluation.

Study Abroad

• International Field Trip: For students with an interest in public policy, the course offers the opportunity for experiential learning through an international fieldtrip to Brussels.

Work Placement

Students can elect to undertake a short-term work placement, which involves 6-8 weeks working with a partner organisation.

Who Teaches this Course?

• Dr. Danielle Kennan
• Dr. Cormac Forkan
• Professor John Canavan
• Dr. Brian McGrath
• Jacqueline Murphy

Learning and Assessment

There are no exams as part of this course. Students will be assessed on a continuous basis through a range of different types of assessment, including interactive orals, group projects, discussion boards, presentations, and more.

Entry Requirements

• Minimum Entry Requirement: Applicants will require a NQAI Level 8 degree, Second Class Honours (2:1) or equivalent, in child, youth and family studies, sociology, psychology, or a cognate discipline.
• English Language Entry Requirements: For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language proficiency of IELTS score of 6.5 is required (with no less than 6.0 in any other band) or equivalent.

Fees, Costs, and Funding

• Fees for Academic Year 2026/27:
  • Course Type | Year | EU Tuition | Student Contribution | Non-EU Tuition | Levy | Total Fee | Total EU Fee | Total Non-EU Fee
  • Masters Full Time | 1 | 7,900 | | 19,300 | 140 | | 8,040 | 19,440
  • Masters Part Time | 1 | 4,000 | | | 105 | | 4,105 |
  • PG Diploma Full Time | 1 | 5,350 | | 14,800 | 140 | | 5,490 | 14,940

Scholarships

• Postgraduate Excellence Scholarships: This scholarship is valued at 1,500 for EU students applying for full-time taught master's postgraduate courses.
• Global Scholarships: University of Galway offers a range of merit-based scholarships to students from a number of countries outside of the EU.

International (Non EU) Application Information

• Application Process: Students applying for full-time postgraduate programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), can apply online to the University of Galway application portal.
• Further Information: Please visit the postgraduate admissions webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees, and the application process.