Program Overview

BA (Hons) Social Science, Community Development & Youth Work

Programme Overview

This programme is ideal for those with experience in community and youth work, offering opportunities for critical reflection and exploration of recent developments in the field. Combining academic study in the social sciences with fieldwork placements, the programme enables students to develop as youth and community development workers equipped for the challenges of the 21st century.

Programme Structure

• Year 1: Introduction to Social Work, Community Development, and Youth Work (15 credits), Group Work (15 credits), Introduction to Applied Social Science Research (15 credits), Fieldwork Practice I (30 credits), Race, Racism and Professional Practice (15 credits), Introduction to Social Science (15 credits), Identity, Agency & Environment 2 (15 credits)
• Year 2: Community Development and Youth Work in Context (15 credits), Group Work in Theory (15 credits), Group Work in Practice (15 credits), Fieldwork Practice 2 (30 credits), Theory, Policy and Politics (15 credits), Applied Social Research Methods (15 credits)
• Year 3: Fieldwork Practice 3 (30 credits), Social Justice in Community Development and Youth Work (15 credits), Management and Leadership (15 credits), Critical Engagement with Social Policy (15 credits), Dissertation (30 credits), Conflict Transformation (15 credits)

Teaching Style

This programme is taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars, and workshops. Students are expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study, including carrying out required and additional reading, preparing topics for discussion, and producing essays or project work.

Assessment

Students will be assessed through a combination of coursework, assignment, presentation, dissertation, self-reflection reports, and portfolio.

Entry Requirements

• A-level: CC
• BTEC: MPP
• International Baccalaureate: Successful completion
• Access: Pass with 45 Level 3 credits including a number of distinctions/merits in subject-specific modules
• Scottish qualifications: CCCCC (Higher) or CC (Advanced Higher)
• European Baccalaureate: 60%

Additional Requirements

• One year's full-time (or two years' part-time) work experience in a related field
• Evidence of academic achievement at Level 3 (A-level) standard; preferably two A-level passes or equivalent and three GCSE passes or equivalent
• Fulfillment of fitness to train requirements

Alternative Qualifications

See the full list of undergraduate entry qualifications.

International Qualifications

We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

English Language Requirements

If English isn't your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.0, with no element lower than 5.5.

Fees and Funding

• Home - full-time: £9535
• International - full-time: £20650

Careers

On successful completion of the programme, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) degree in Social Science, Community Development and Youth Work; a professional qualification recognised by the National Youth Agency (NYA) and the Joint Negotiating Committee for Youth and Community Workers (JNC).

The programme can lead to careers in the broad community development, community and youth work field in statutory, voluntary and independent sectors. Former students have gone on to work as:

• Managers and staff in community projects
• Youth officers
• Community development workers
• Substance misuse workers
• Youth workers in a range of settings, including schools and youth offending teams
• Learning mentors

They have also worked in the following areas:

• International development projects
• Setting up their own projects and organisations
• Community cohesion projects
• Multi-faith work
• Community work
• Innovative projects within schools
• Community arts projects
• Youth offending teams
• Field of conflict transformation

Skills

The programme will give you practical experience in several community and youth work settings – having this real-world experience will set you apart in the job market. In addition, you will develop the following transferable skills:

• Critical analysis of theoretical concepts
• Critical reflection
• Teamwork
• Organisational skills
• Motivation
• Research methods

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.