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

For 2020–21, we have made some changes to how the teaching and assessment of certain programmes are delivered. To check what changes affect this programme, please visit the Programme Changes page

Residential

The residential 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.

Year 1 (credit level 4)

In your first year you will study the following compulsory modules:

Year 1 compulsory modules	Module title	Credits
	Introduction to Community Development & Youth Work I Introduction to Community Development & Youth Work I 15 credits This module aims to provide a critical introduction to community development and youth work by exploring underlying values, defining ideas and contested purposes.	15 credits
	Introduction to Applied Research Methods I Introduction to Applied Research Methods I 15 credits This module will introduce students to the principles, traditions and approaches. Assessment task: Presentation (30 minutes, including 10 minutes for discussion). Students will present in small groups a Community Profile, drawing on 56 hours of fieldwork practice.	15 credits
	Fieldwork Practice I Fieldwork Practice I 30 credits This module focuses on developing practice competence in a supported setting. Participants will relate their academic studies to the practice context where they will undertake professional tasks in a controlled and developmental way.	30 credits
	Race, Racism and Professional Practice. Race, Racism and Professional Practice. 15 credits This module aims to clarify definitions and understandings of racism and explore its manifestations.	15 credits
	Introduction to Applied Social Science Introduction to Applied Social Science 30 credits This module provides a broad critical introduction to social science understandings that are relevant to work with young people and communities.	30 credits

and Introduction to Group Work (15 credits)

This module will provide an introduction to the value of group work in effecting change in attitudes, beliefs and practice. It will enable students to articulate social and political understandings of the impact of group work. It will introduce experiential group work alongside other significant models and theories. Students will be encouraged to develop their ability to synthesise theoretical understandings, enhance their group work skills and abilities, and assess how these might be applied within the participant group and in wider professional and social contexts. This is a highly interactive module in which participants will be expected to develop personal and professional insight through engagement in group work practice and group work facilitation.

Year 2 (credit level 5)

In the second year, you take the following compulsory module.

Year 2 modules	Module title	Credits
	Community Development and Youth Work in Context Community Development and Youth Work in Context 15 credits The key aim of this module is to enable students to analyse the relationship between theoretical frameworks, contemporary policy imperatives and developments in community development and youth work practice. Students will be encouraged to critically explore key influences on the lives and lifestyles of adults and young people within their communities and wider society. The module will focus specifically on a range of perspectives and models of practice in the field of community development and youth work. Each session will seek to identify and analyse the innovations, contradictions and conflicts that characterise contemporary community development and youth work practice. The module will also engage with the challenges and dilemmas faced by the professional practitioner.	15 credits

In addition to the following compulsory modules:

Year 2 compulsory modules	Module title	Credits
	Group Work in Theory Group Work in Theory 15 credits This module aims to examine a range of theoretical contributions to group work including group analysis, critical reflection models and group work for social justice, action and change.	15 credits
	Group Work in Practice Group Work in Practice 15 credits This module is designed to develop students’ understanding and ability to work effectively in groups, with each other and in practice situations.	15 credits
	Fieldwork Practice 2 Fieldwork Practice 2 30 credits This module is focused primarily on students developing their own sense of professional identity. This fieldwork placement gives students the opportunity to consolidate existing knowledge and skills, and to develop new areas of interest.	30 credits
	Theory, Policy and Politics Theory, Policy and Politics 15 credits This module is intended to develop students’ ideological awareness, analytical skills and critical capacity to make cogent political arguments in their work.	15 credits
	Applied Research Methods 2 Applied Research Methods 2 15 credits This module will build on the principles, traditions and approaches of social research and their application to community development and youth work practice introduced in year 1.	15 credits

You then choose one module from the following list of options:

Year 2 module options	Module title	Credits
	Arts in the Community Arts in the Community 15 credits This module aims to provide a theoretical and practical introduction to using the arts in community settings to explore and address issues of interest, need and concern.	15 credits
	Global Youth Work and International Development Global Youth Work and International Development 15 credits This module will introduce students to youth work policies and practice Pan Europe, as well in the Global South.	15 credits
	Youth Justice Youth Justice 15 credits This module will explore theories, policies and practices of Youth Justice in the UK.	15 credits
	Religion, Belief and Spirituality in Professional Practice Religion, Belief and Spirituality in Professional Practice 15 credits This is an interdisciplinary module which explores the links between religion, belief, and spirituality and professional practice. Western societies are increasingly religiously diverse, and law and guidance require engagement with the religion and belief identities of service users. Yet public discourse and professional training has been dominated by post-religious assumptions which impede a good quality of conversation and debate. Instead discourse has revolved around risks, controversies and crises poses by religion and belief, usually associated with sex, gender, money and violence. This module explores these discourses as starting points for practice with religiously diverse publics.	15 credits

Year 3 (credit level 6)

In the third year you take the following compulsory modules:

Year 3 compulsory modules	Module title	Credits
	Fieldwork Practice 3 Fieldwork Practice 3 30 credits The third year practice placement will offer students the opportunity to take more of a leadership or management role. They will be expected to take an active role in organising and managing sessions or projects, and to gain understanding of how funding is secured and evaluation is carried out.	30 credits
	Social Justice in Community Development and Youth Work Social Justice in Community Development and Youth Work 15 credits This module will explore the histories of community development and youth work in addressing issues of social justice as well as how issues of social justice are addressed in contemporary practice.	15 credits
	Management and Leadership Management and Leadership 15 credits This module focuses on the organisational context of community development and youth work practice in a variety of statutory and voluntary sector settings.	15 credits
	Critical Engagement with Social Policy Critical Engagement with Social Policy 15 credits This module aims to provide a creative and critical engagement with the social, economic, cultural and political forces influencing contemporary social policy.	15 credits
	BA (Hons) Applied Social Science, Community Development & Youth Work - Dissertation BA (Hons) Applied Social Science, Community Development & Youth Work - Dissertation 30 credits The dissertation itself is characterised by independent study and should demonstrate in-depth critical analysis, professional relevance and knowledge of appropriate research and enquiry approaches.	30 credits

You then choose one option from the following list:

Year 3 module options	Module title	Credits
	Faith-based youth work Faith-based youth work 15 credits This module will explore historical and contemporary faith-based youth work practice.	15 credits
	Conflict Transformation Conflict Transformation 15 credits This module is designed to offer greater insight into and understanding of the dilemmas and possibilities implied in conflict transformation and reconciliation.	15 credits
	Enterprise in Communities Enterprise in Communities 15 credits This module will introduce students interested in working in the private, public or third sector and/or developing and leading their own youth and community provision using a more entrepreneurial approach.	15 credits

Teaching style

This programme is taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops. You’ll also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. This includes carrying out required and additional reading, preparing topics for discussion, and producing essays or project work.

The following information gives an indication of the typical proportions of learning and teaching for each year of this programme*:

Year 1 - 10% scheduled learning, 69% independent learning, 21% placement hours
Year 2 - 10% scheduled learning, 69% independent learning, 21% placement hours
Year 3 - 10% scheduled learning, 66% independent learning, 24% placement hours

How you’ll be assessed

You’ll be assessed through a combination of coursework, assignment, presentation, dissertation, self-reflection reports and portfolio.

The following information gives an indication of how you can typically expect to be assessed on each year of this programme*:

• Year 1 - 81% coursework, 19% practical
• Year 2 - 88% coursework, 13% practical
• Year 3 - 81% coursework, 6% practical

*Please note that these are averages are based on enrolments for 2018/19. Each student’s time in teaching, learning and assessment activities will differ based on individual module choices. Find out more about how this information is calculated.

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. If you are a full-time student, you will usually take Level 4 modules in the first year, Level 5 in the second, and Level 6 modules in your final year. A standard module is worth 30 credits. Some programmes also contain 15-credit half modules or can be made up of higher-value parts, such as a dissertation or a Major Project.

Download the programme specification. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

Andrea Butler

Being a mature student I would encourage anyone considering applying to study at Goldsmiths to study....you won't be disappointed. No matter your age.

When I started the programme BA Applied Social Community Development and Youth Work as a mature student, I was worried I would find the academic reading and writing challenging, due to being out of education for over 7/8 years.

Prior to applying to the programme I had worked in youth work for over 10 years in various environments.

I found the content of the programme instantly gave me the understanding of theory and practice that surprisingly I was able to apply to my own life as well as the communities and young people I had supported through my practice.

I loved my time at Goldsmiths on my programme as well as the diversity of students that attend Goldsmith as well. Lasting friendships I have made with my cohort as well as students from other disciplines created in social events, library, gym, green areas and PAL programme.

The staff at reception, student services, library, student union and lectures/tutors on my programmes where all very professional but also very personable and supportive throughout. Not forgetting the security from in the 24hr library service.

I went on to study PG Child and Young Person Psychological Wellbeing Practice. Currently, I work for the NHS within CAMHS. I particularly value my ability to hold in mind YW National Occupational Standards in my therapeutic work with children, young people and parents when supporting them with their mental wellbeing. My youth and community background continues you to serve me well with transferable skills in my current role as a Child Wellbeing Practitioner.

Being a mature student I would encourage anyone considering applying to study at Goldsmiths to study.... you won't be disappointed. No matter your age.

One of the best things about Goldsmiths is its location, travel links are fantastic and all your lectures are on one site.

My first day at Goldsmiths in the Professor Stuart Hall building felt like being in Hogwarts, lots of staircases, but I quickly got used to it.

We accept the following qualifications:

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

You'll also need

• one year's full-time (or two years' part-time) work experience (paid or voluntary) 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.
• to fulfil our fitness to train requirements

In some cases, it may be possible to admit applicants on the basis of practical experience alone, provided that evidence of this experience is presented at interview.

International qualifications

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

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.0 with a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for degree-level study.

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2021/2022 academic year.

From August 2021 EU/EEA/Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for 'Home' fee status. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals will be classified as 'International' for fee purposes, more information can be found on our fees page.

• Home - full-time: £9250
• International - full-time: £17050

If your fees are not listed here, please check our undergraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time if you require a Tier 4 student visa, however this is currently being reviewed and will be confirmed in the new year. Please read our visa guidance in the interim for more information. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.

Funding opportunities

We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries, and our careers service can also offer advice on finding work during your studies. Find out more about funding your studies with us.

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:

• 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

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths. You can also find out more about specific career paths open to you after you graduate in our Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies careers page.