This course, professionally endorsed by ETS Wales and recognised by the JNC for Youth & Community Workers , is designed for youth and community workers who wish to extend their understanding, skills and competence as informal educators and gain a nationally recognised professional qualification in youth and community work. The course content is split between fieldwork placements (40%) in a wide range of community and/or youth work agencies and university-based, lecture study (60%). Lectures are modular in structure, comprising modules in the field of applied social sciences with core modules in youth and community work and professional practice. Assessment is undertaken through module assignments and presentations – there are no exams.

This course is designed to provide a professionally recognised qualification in youth and community work. The course attracts students who are interested in a range of community professions including: youth work, community education , community development, supported housing, alternative education/alternative curriculum, mentoring and guidance, youth justice and voluntary organisations working in a community setting. Professionally qualified staff are in high demand amongst employers, particularly as Youth Work has been a degree-entry profession since 2010. Many graduates will find paid employment in the above professions whilst they are students, and promotion is often secured upon completion of the professional qualification. Entry Requirements Full-time: Applicants should have experience in an aspect of youth & community work (equivalent to 100 hours to be completed prior to commencing the course), plus one of the following: * 200 points from at least 2 A Levels / Scottish Advanced Highers, or equivalent to include grades CC * BTEC Certificate / Diploma 200 points * 200 points from the Irish Leaving Certificate at Highers (minimum grade C2 considered) * Pass Access with 45 credits at Level 3 within a relevant subject * 200 points from the Welsh Baccalaureate to include grades CC at A Level or equivalent, Core counted as third subject Entry is also subject to a satisfactory criminal records check. More details about criminal records procedures can be found at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/dbs. If your qualification isn't listed above, please refer to the UCAS website. Part-time entry: Applicants are normally working (paid or voluntary) in a youth & community work setting and should have experience equivalent to a minimum of 100 hours eg as a youth worker, community education worker, community development worker, or (adult &) community learning worker, plus one of the following: * Be qualified as a Youth Support Worker (level 3 Certificate in Youth work or NVQ/VRQ level 3), or: * Hold a Foundation Certificate in Youth and Community Work, or: * Have successfully completed an Access course with 45 credits at Level 3 in a relevant subject, or: * Hold 200 UCAS points or equivalent qualification. Other routes onto the Youth and Community BA programme. If you do not have the entry requirments for the X320 degree programme, but have 80 UCAS points or equivalent, you can apply for the Youth and Community Work Foundation programme (X390) – successful completion of which guarantees you consideration for the X320 degree programme. It is also possible to apply by exceptional entry for either the X320 or X390 programmes if you have significant experience in youth and community work, and are able to show that you can work at degree level (level 4) or Foundation level (level 3), but do not meet the academic entry criteria above. Please contact the Programme Director if you wish to discuss this. Key Facts Professionally endorsed by: Education and Training Standards (ETS) Wales and recognised by the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) for Youth and Community Workers UCAS Code(s): Youth & Community Work – BA (Hons): X320 Youth & Community Work (inc. Foundation) – BA (Hons): X390 Campus: Cyncoed School: Cardiff School of Education Course Length: Three years full-time/Four years full-time (inc. Foundation) Part-time route – normally 4 to 5 years, though students are allowed up to ten years to complete part-time if they wish. Attendance for this course is flexible depending on the number of modules completed each year Assessment: The Youth & Community Work degree is an applied programme – you are required to demonstrate both academic and practical ability. Assessment of professional practice is therefore a key part of your professional qualification. You are required to negotiate placements in appropriate youth and community organisations for the duration of the course. Weekly group tutorials with a professional tutor help support the practice placement and assessment is via your own reflective practice supported by professional and fieldwork tutor reports. How to Apply: Applications for the full-time route should be made online to UCAS at http://www.ucas.com/. Part-time applications should be made direct to the university. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply. International Applicants: Before making an application, international students (those outside of the EU), should contact the International Office at Cardiff Met to discuss the necessary procedures in relation to studying with us. For further information visit www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/international Selection Procedure: Selection is normally based on the receipt of a completed UCAS (full-time) or Cardiff Met (part-time) application Tuition Fees and Financial Support: For up to date information on tuition fees and the financial support that may be available please refer to www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/fees. Bursaries & Scholarships: The university also offers a bursary and scholarship scheme to help students whilst at university. To see if you are eligible, visit www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/scholarships. Contact Us Contact Information: For general enquiries please contact the Student Recruitment Team on 029 2041 6044 or email courses@cardiffmet.ac.uk For course specific enquiries, please contact the programme director, Steve Drowley: Email: sdrowley@cardiffmet.ac.uk Tel: 029 2041 7248 See Also: Cardiff School of Education Website