The Masters in Youth Work, Community Arts and Sports Studies is a dynamic and innovative programme, which offers a broad and inclusive approach to working with young people that embraces traditional youth work and the role of cultural and sporting practices. The School of Applied Social Studies has joined with the School of Education and the School of Music and Theatre to develop and deliver this unique interdisciplinary programme. The programme is taught by a cross-disciplinary team of academics and practitioners, all of whom are active in working with young people in community settings and/or research in this area. CKD04: This route incorporates the professionally accredited Postgraduate Diploma in Youth Work (Year 1). Youth work practice skills development is combined with a critical theoretical study of youth policy and youth cultures. The programme provides practice-based training to aspiring youth workers and continuing professional development for existing youth workers (who do not already hold a JNC-recognised qualification). CKD20: This route offers continuing professional development for those who hold a JNC-recognised qualification in youth work. CKD04 (Year 2) and CKD20 is a flexible programme that focuses on developing youth workers’ theoretical knowledge, practice and research skills. In addition to core modules in community arts and sports studies, students can design their own special programme from a range of exciting elective modules to suit their own professional specialisation, personal interests and research areas.

The Masters in Youth Work, Community Arts and Sports Studies equips youth workers with community arts- and sports-oriented skills, and equips community artists and sports trainers with youth work skills. The Masters allows student to develop the skills necessary to design, plan and deliver their own participatory projects in youth and community settings. Graduates will find employment in youth work organisations, in the public sector, in the voluntary/community sector, in local authorities, and in community arts and sporting organisations where expanding youth participation is a priority.