Program Overview

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Community Youth Work - BSc (Hons)

Overview

Embark on a professional career of youth work, working with young people in the community.

Summary

Community youth work involves working with young people in their own communities. A professional community youth worker will help young people build skills to navigate their social world and their future. They will engage in activities that have a learning purpose but are also fun. Community youth workers build connections with young people to help them develop their thinking and emotions, help them to express themselves and take action to shape society.

The programme provides students with the professional Community Youth Work qualification, which is a JNC endorsed qualification, recognised by NSETS, (North South Education and Training Standards committee). This professional qualification is recognised by employers throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. This course equips youth workers with a wide range of skills, values and knowledge to work in professional settings with many agencies that work with young people.

About this course

About

The programme integrates teaching and practice in its approach to learning. There are three work-based assessed practice modules over the three-year period, which last for a minimum of 10 weeks for approximately 25-30 hours per week. The modules of study reflect the need for students to develop knowledge and skills for practice. These include the context of youth work, foundations of youth work practice (interpersonal skills and informal education) psychology processes, sociology, social policy & management and supervision theory & practice. Community development and applied independent study also form key elements of the programme.

The staff team are experienced youth work practitioners with a range of specialisms. Youth justice, gender-based work, community relations, sexual orientation and mental health are some of the research themes which the team have focused upon.

This programme is endorsed by NSETS (North South Education and Training Standards committee) and confers professional status on those who successfully complete the three years of study.

Associate awards

• Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS

Attendance

The duration of the course is three academic years full-time.

Attendance is approximately three days each week with additional online learning opportunities. Placements are full-time.

Due to the change of youth work professional training within UK and Ireland it is now necessary to possess a degree for professional recognition.

Start dates

• September 2026

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The teaching learning and assessment is dynamic and creative. Teaching is focused on the needs of the student, the community youth work profession and the youth sector. Lectures are interactive and require high levels of participation. There is much emphasis on the learning environment and effort is made to cater for a wide range of student needs. The assessment is varied with the use of presentations, traditional essays, posters, groupwork, skills performance and journals.

Modules

Year one

• The Context of Youth Work
• The Foundations for Youth Work Practice
• Assessed Practice Level 4
• Applied Socio-Political Perspectives

Year two

• The Northern Ireland Context - Transforming Communities
• Power; Inequality and anti-discriminatory practice
• Assessed Practice Level 5
• Pedagogy of Youth Work

Year three

• Critical Thinking and Professional Development
• Study Of Applied Practice (SOAP)
• Assessed Practice Level 6
• Ethical Leadership, Management and Supervision
• Diploma in International Academic Studies (optional)

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

A level

The A Level requirement for this course is CDD.

Applied General Qualifications

• RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: Award profile of MMM

Irish Leaving Certificate

78 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be Higher Level) to include English at H6 if studied at Higher Level or 04 if studied at Ordinary Level.

Scottish Highers

The Scottish Highers requirement for this course is CDDDD.

Scottish Advanced Highers

The Scottish Advanced Highers requirement for this course is CC.

International Baccalaureate

Overall International Baccalaureate profile minimum of 24 points (12 at higher level).

Grade 4 in Higher or Subsidiary Level English Language is also required

Access to Higher Education (HE)

Overall Access profile 51%.

GCSE

GCSE Profile to include GCSE English Language grade C/4 or above (or equivalent).

Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Communication will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE English.

English Language Requirements

• Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5.
• Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Careers & opportunities

Graduate employers

• Education Authority
• Start360
• YMCA
• Youth Action NI
• Youth Initiatives
• Youth Justice Agency
• Include Youth

Job roles

• Project Co-ordinator in Youth Work
• Area Youth Worker
• Youth Club Manager
• Residential Support Worker
• Detached Youth Worker
• Youth Work Trainer
• Tutor for Alternative Education

Career options

A qualified Community Youth Worker may take up positions with a wide range of employers providing services to young people. In Northern Ireland these range from statutory organisations to voluntary and community agencies. Completion of the degree will also provide you with opportunities to progress to postgraduate study in youth work or related areas.

This programme is endorsed by NSETS (North South Education and Training Standards committee) and confers professional status on those who successfully complete the three years of study.

Work placement / study abroad

There are three (300 hour) placements throughout the course, one per year. The first placement resides in a traditional full-time youth work setting. The second is aimed at stretching the student further, with an option of working outside of Northern Ireland. In the past students have had work placements in South Africa, Australia, Iceland, and USA. The final placement involves an area of work which the student hasn't experienced or in which they want to specialise. Throughout the course, the placements represent 25% of the content and are central to the learning process.

Professional Recognition

Accreditations reflect the excellence of our teaching, research, and knowledge exchange and ensure our programmes realise the highest expectations. By studying at Ulster University you’ll gain insight and be at the forefront of current industry practices, while our many accredited degree programmes open doors to the world’s top professional organisations, making you more attractive to future employers and giving you a competitive edge in the job market.

North/South Education and Training Standards Committee for Youth Work (NSETS)

Endorsed by the North/South Education and Training Standards Committee for Youth Work (NSETS) (JNC Recognised) for the purpose of professional qualification.

Fees and funding

2026/27 Fees

Undergraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2026/27 fees will be announced in due course.

See our tuition fees page for the current fees for 2025/26 entry.

Additional mandatory costs

Please note that this course is a "regulated and/or care provision" within the meaning of the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (NI) Order 2003 and the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007. They may involve access to children and/or vulnerable adults and students are required to be subject to the criminal records check and may not complete the course without it. The fee for this is £33.00.

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.

There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.