BA (Hons) Applied Social Science, Community Development & Youth Work
This programme is ideal if you have some experience of community and youth work. Challenging, dynamic and interactive, it presents opportunities for critical reflection and exploration of recent developments in the field.
3 years full-time.
L530
CC or equivalent; see find out more about our general entrance requirements.
You should have one year's full-time (or two years' part-time) work experience in a related field, and preferably have two GCE A-level and three GCSE/O-level passes or equivalent. If you do not have academic qualifications you must demonstrate evidence of practical experience, through presentation of a portfolio at interview stage. For alternative qualifications, see further information about entrance requirements.
If your first language is not English, please check our English Language requirements.
See Fitness to train: criminal convictions.
This programme is recognised by the National Youth Agency and the Joint Negotiating Council for Youth Leaders and Community Centre Wardens.
Please see undergraduate tuition fees.
Contact the Community and Youth Work Secretary.
Download a booklet [PDF, 7,071KB]
The programme places great emphasis on participation and practice, and expects you to take responsibility for your own learning. Lecturing staff have extensive experience, and work closely with you to maximise your potential. Once you have successfully completed the programme you will be awarded a BA (hons) degree and a professional qualification recognised by The National Youth Agency and the Joint Negotiating Committee for youth and community workers.
What you study
The programme integrates academic study and combines the theoretical disciplines of community development and community and youth work with the development of practice skills and experience, including fieldwork as well as coursework. You will critically analyse relevant theoretical concepts and social policies, and learn how to link them to practical situations and personal practice.
Teaching methods encourage maximum student participation, and include lectures, seminars, fieldwork, group and individual tutorials, group work training meetings, workshops, practical exercises, and written work. A central theme of the programme is to examine and analyse contemporary social issues including race, gender, culture and social policy from a range of disciplines within the social sciences, and their impact on the professional role. You not only become aware of these issues, but also work to develop skills and competencies in the management and development of all aspects of your work, and you will learn to use these skills constructively in your practice. You are expected to learn to write for academic and professional purposes, and will need to read widely following up interests arising from your fieldwork and coursework. There is a four-day residential period, in January of the first year.
You undertake supervised practical experience in several community and youth work settings throughout the programme and will be expected to carry out fieldwork assignments in each year, with specific periods spent with groups from various cultural or racial backgrounds, and with young people and adults. You are responsible for planning and recording these fieldwork sessions, and any issues arising from them form part of the agenda of tutorials.
Assessment
Essays, fieldwork/practice and reports, seminars, presentations, evaluation reports, dissertation.
Register your interest
If you register your interest in this programme we will keep you informed about open days and send you relevant further information.
Equivalent GCE A-level qualifications
| BTEC National Diploma |
Access courses |
Scottish qualifications |
European Baccalaureate |
International Baccalaureate |
Other requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPP | 60 Credits including 45 at level 3 (with Merits in related modules) | CCCCC (Higher)
CC (Advanced Higher) |
60% | Pass with at least 24 points. 5,5 at HL | Current relevant work experience (paid or voluntary) |
Courses and structure
The programme integrates academic study and combines the theoretical disciplines of community development and community and youth work with the development of practice skills and experience, including fieldwork as well as coursework. You will critically analyse relevant theoretical concepts and social policies, and learn how to link them to practical situations and personal practice.
A central theme of the programme is to examine and analyse contemporary social issues including race, gender, culture and social policy from a range of disciplines within the social sciences, and their impact on the professional role. You not only become aware of these issues, but also work to develop skills and competencies in the management and development of all aspects of your work, and you will learn to use these skills constructively in your practice. You are expected to learn to write for academic and professional purposes, and will need to read widely following up interests arising from your fieldwork and coursework.
You undertake supervised practical experience in several community and youth work settings throughout the programme and will be expected to carry out fieldwork assignments in each year, with specific periods spent with groups from various cultural or racial backgrounds, and with young people and adults. You are responsible for planning and recording these fieldwork sessions, and any issues arising from them form part of the agenda of tutorials.
Teaching methods
Teaching methods encourage maximum student participation, and include:
- lectures
- seminars
- fieldwork
- group and individual tutorials
- group work training meetings
- workshops
- practical exercises
- written work
Fieldwork
You undertake supervised practical experience in a variety of statutory and voluntary Community and Youth Work settings throughout the first and second year. There is at least one fieldwork assignment each year.
You spend a specific period with groups from various cultural backgrounds, and at least one period with young people and one with adults. You are responsible for negotiating and planning the fieldwork, in consultation with your tutor. All fieldwork sessions are recorded, and issues arising from them are discussed in tutorials. You are expected to bring material from your fieldwork to seminars, to produce papers for discussion and evaluation, and to link practice and theory.
Residential
The residential module at the beginning of the second term in the first year provides the
opportunity for you get to know other students and staff, while participating in student-programmed activities. The module takes place at a residential centre and there is no extra cost.
Assessment
Essays, fieldwork/practice and reports, seminars, presentations, evaluation reports, dissertation.
Credits and levels of learning
An undergraduate honours degree is made up of 360 credits – 120 at Level 4, 120 at Level 5 and 120 at Level 6. As a full-time student, you will usually take Level 4 courses in the first year, Level 5 in the second, and Level 6 courses in your final year. A standard course is worth 30 credits. Some programmes also contain 15-credit half courses or can be made up of higher-value parts, such as a dissertation.
Skills and careers
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
Careers
On successful completion of the programme you will be awarded a BA (Hons) degree in Applied 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:
- Connexions personal advisors
- youth officers
- community development workers
- substance misuse workers
- youth workers in a range of settings, including schools and youth offending teams
Further information
About the department
The Department of Professional and Community Education (PACE)
The Department of Professional and Community Education (PACE) offers a broad range of programmes and courses ranging from vocational and professional training, undergraduate and postgraduate, certificate and diploma programmes, as well as courses designed to encourage returning to study.
Subjects include:
- Community and Youth Work
- Cultural and Social Studies including Anthropology, Computing, Creative Writing, Design and Technology, Historical Studies, Literary Studies, Media and Communications, Politics, Psychology, Research Study Skills and Sociology
- Languages and Language Studies including English as a Foreign Language
- Performing Arts, including Drama, Theatre and Music
- Psychotherapeutic Studies including Art Psychotherapy, Therapeutic Cultures, Dance Movement Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Psychodynamic Studies
- Social Work
At Goldsmiths, we aim to work closely with local communities. For over a hundred years we have been committed to lifelong learning and to bridging the gap between theory and practice, through professional and continuing studies. PACE was formed to provide a focus for this work.
Student and graduate profiles
"Initially, I struggled to find what I wanted to do as a career, going through many different jobs in the process. But once I realised my specialty or expertise I looked straight to education; and Goldsmiths stood out from all other teaching institutions. I really enjoy the creative teaching, discussions and innovative assignments. My course is structured around the students and we are given room to express and discuss topics in depth and with intricate detail; enabling a better understanding and maximum student involvement and participation.
My advice to any prospective students: if you are going to study, come to a university that is renowned for a teaching style which is fun, creative, interactive and student friendly. Particularly concerning youth work, this BA will equip you with core theoretical knowledge while also giving you the opportunity to obtain extensive practical experience to ensure that when you go into practice as a professional you are not only qualified but prepared and fully trained in your profession."
Mark, BA (Hons) Applied Social Science, Community Development & Youth Work
Goldsmiths, University of London, New Cross, London, SE14 6NW, UK
Telephone: + 44 (0)20 7919 7171
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