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LOCATION
Stratford Campus
Location Fees and Funding
Here's the fees and funding information for each year of this course
Overview
The BA (Hons) in Youth Work is delivered within the School of Education and Communities which has a reputation for teaching excellence, industry connections and real-world relevance that appeals to applicants aspiring to make a difference in their communities and in the lives of young people.
As well as a blend of on campus and online learning, this vocational programme entails 800 hours of work-based learning. Significant time is spent on placement, where you will develop your skills and knowledge by undertaking supervised work with young people aged between 11 and 25 years old.
The programme provides you with the platform, skills, experience, knowledge and a qualification to progress a career in the youth and community sector and associated fields.
Please note, international applications are now closed for September 2022.
What makes this course different
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
On completing the BA (Hons) in Youth Work course, you will be able to:
- demonstrate critical analysis and evaluation of theory, policy and practice issues relating to youth and community work
- critically engage with research and current debate on leadership, professionalism and accountability in the provision and management of children and young people's services
- demonstrate critical awareness of current debates in the field of youth and community work
- develop the skills and critical understanding of the reflective practitioner in order to create courses of personal and social education
- experience significant and challenging opportunities for professional development through youth and community fieldwork placements and beyond
- critically evaluate the impact of policy on youth provision and practice
- challenge oppressive and discriminatory discourses and practices within a value base of social justice and human rights.
DOWNLOAD COURSE SPECIFICATIONS
COURSE SPECIFICATION - BA (Hons) Youth Work (v20)
pdf, 490.53 KB
MODULES
- Core Modules
Mental Wealth: Academic and Professional Skills for Life 1 CloseMental Wealth: Academic and Professional Skills for Life 1
This module will provide students with the opportunity to identify the skills, competencies and experiences required for youth work and a range of potential future career areas.
Students will be supported to recognise the areas for their own personal professional development (including emotional, social, physical, cultural and cognitive intelligences) through taught and workshop activity.
Central to the developmental process is for each student to cultivate their reflective skills, openness and self-awareness to enable themselves to assess what they are doing, identify areas for improvement and confidently receive and give constructive feedback. Students will additionally develop knowledge and strategies for advancing their own emotional, social, physical, cultural and cognitive intelligences and improve their health and well-being.
Introduction to Youth and Community Work CloseIntroduction to Youth and Community Work
Preparation for Working in Communities - Part One ClosePreparation for Working in Communities - Part One
Preparation for Working in Communities - Part Two ClosePreparation for Working in Communities - Part Two
Communication for Helping Build Professional and Educational Relationships CloseCommunication for Helping Build Professional and Educational Relationships
Exploring Social Worlds CloseExploring Social Worlds
This module will develop students’ understanding of people’s social and cultural experience in a range of contexts. It will develop students’ ability to think about practical support for young people’s lives and rights. Students will learn about a range of theoretical perspectives that will help them understand the experiences of children, young people and young adults.
- Core Modules
Mental Wealth: Academic and Professional Skills for Life 2 CloseMental Wealth: Academic and Professional Skills for Life 2
This module seeks to develop the key psychological determinants of human performance which are increasingly critical for successful graduate-level employment, entrepreneurship and career progression in the 4th industrial era.
This module will provide students with the opportunity to apply several of the skills, competencies and experience required for successful development to, and in a range of potential career areas.
Students will continue to build upon and advance the skills and concepts they learnt in Level 4 to further develop their emotional intelligence, emotional literacy, reflective skills, and self-awareness.
Students will have the opportunity to explore the skills and knowledge involved in entrepreneurial activities by practising and engaging with self and others in analysis, critical-thinking, problem solving and research.
Social Policies impacting Children, Young People and Families CloseSocial Policies impacting Children, Young People and Families
Work Based Learning Setting 1 - Part 1 Research Project Proposal CloseWork Based Learning Setting 1 - Part 1 Research Project Proposal
Work Based Learning Setting 1- Part Two Research Project Outcomes CloseWork Based Learning Setting 1- Part Two Research Project Outcomes
Safeguarding Practice in a Digital Age CloseSafeguarding Practice in a Digital Age
Identity and Social Justice CloseIdentity and Social Justice
In this module students will extend their critical understanding of theory and research from a range of social science disciplines used to explore and analyse the lives and experiences of children and young people (including education, psychology, sociology, human geography and social policy). Students will explore issues of social justices, critically considering:
· how these aspects are addressed within key policies, organisations (including grassroots and third sector), and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child;
· the micro- and macro- influences on the lives of children and young people, such as biological, social, economic, political, cultural and/or generational influences, with particular attention paid to issues of inequality and intersectionality;
· the extent to which educators/practitioners influence these aspects of the lives of children and young people;
· children and young people's rights and the extent to which they actively influence these aspects of their own lives.
During the module, students' campus-based studies will be complemented by engagement in educational and community settings, allowing them to develop a critical awareness of current issues relating to the lives of children and young people, and to actively engage in consideration of how drawing upon research evidence from social science disciplines can enable them to affect change in the lives of the children and young people with whom they work/may work in the future.
- Core Modules
Leading and Managing in Children, Young People and Families Services CloseLeading and Managing in Children, Young People and Families Services
Work Based Learning Setting 2 – Part 1 Intervention Project Proposal CloseWork Based Learning Setting 2 – Part 1 Intervention Project Proposal
Work Based Learning Setting 2 – Part 2 Intervention Project Delivery CloseWork Based Learning Setting 2 – Part 2 Intervention Project Delivery
Work Based Learning Setting 2 – Part 3 Intervention Project Evaluation CloseWork Based Learning Setting 2 – Part 3 Intervention Project Evaluation
Work Based Learning Setting 2 – Part 2 Intervention Project Delivery CloseWork Based Learning Setting 2 – Part 2 Intervention Project Delivery
Optional ModulesTargeted Interventions CloseTargeted Interventions
Radio Project CloseRadio Project
Alternative Education Provisions CloseAlternative Education Provisions
Engaging Young People Through Outdoor Education CloseEngaging Young People Through Outdoor Education
HOW YOU'LL LEARN
Coursework will include presentations, software demonstrations, research-based assignments and practical exercises involving system or program specification, coding and testing.
The approximate percentages for this course are:
- Year 1: 100% coursework
- Year 2: 100% coursework
- Year 3: 100% coursework
The course is assessed entirely by coursework such as essays, video presentations and a research dissertation.
The programme will be delivered through blended learning.
On campus sessions will therefore be supplemented with opportunities to learn online and whilst on work placement. There will be a vibrant mix of modules that cover the principles of youth work, safeguarding in a digital age, targeted interventions, social justice, government policy, leadership, management and fundraising.
You'll be taught by staff with relevant experience and practice to ensure you learn from real life experience and research. We encourage an educational experience that is active, social, collaborative, engaging and student-owned. You will have access to a variety of resources ensuring your learning experience goes beyond the classroom.
Guided independent study
When not attending timetabled lectures you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, Microsoft Teams and Moodle.
We are investing in key areas beyond your studies including our career services, library and well-being, to be available both face-to-face on campus and online with many of these available 24/7.
Academic support
Students are supported with any academic or subject related queries by an Academic Advisor, module leaders, former and current UEL students. If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths or statistics, our Academic Tutors offer workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments to help our students achieve their potential.
You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the university from our IT Service Desks located on all three campuses. Our Student Support hubs in Docklands and Stratford feature centralised helpdesks to cater for your every need.
We have new, modern library facilities on both campuses offering inspirational environments for study and research. Libraries contain resources in print and digital formats, a range of study spaces and a dedicated librarian who can assist with your learning.
UEL provides also support and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties (SPDs). Your overall workload consists of class and online tutor-led sessions, individual learning, practical activities.
Dedicated personal tutor
Our aim is to prepare our students for a broad range of careers so that they can make amazing contributions to their communities. When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.
Class sizes: 30 students .
HOW YOU'LL BE ASSESSED
The assessment tasks recognise the informal education settings in which students will be working and therefore include an appropriate mix of academic writing, practical applications and reflection on linking theory to practice.
Consequently, there will be no examinations rather, the Assessment for all modules will be via a
portfolio.
All grades count towards your module mark.
More details will be included in the student handbook and module guides. Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL's assessment and feedback policy.
CAMPUS and FACILITIES

Stratford Campus, Water Lane, Stratford
WHO TEACHES THIS COURSE
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
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Our students and academics are more critically engaged and socially conscious than ever before. Discover some of the positive changes our students, alumni and academics are making in the world.
YOUR FUTURE CAREER
Due to the need to provide appropriately supervised work-based learning opportunities, places on this course are limited. Just to be accepted onto our programme therefore is a massive achievement, and should serve you well in furthering a rewarding career in youth work.
Because we're the principal youth work training provider in east London, you can rest assured that you'll be in very safe hands when it comes to finding a job after graduating and making a difference in the community.
We have strong links with local youth work agencies and employers, who have known and trusted us and our students for many years. You can find employment with a range of employers, including local authority youth services, education departments, voluntary organisations, churches and other community-based groups.
Many jobs are project based, covering specific aspects such as poverty, education, homelessness, drugs, sexual health, advisory work, community arts, outdoor pursuits and regeneration, plus work with targeted groups such as refugees, young offenders or young people at risk of exclusion from school.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.