Inspire, encourage and nurture: make a difference to people's lives.
(NSS, 2020)
Three A-levels at grades CCD or above.
Or BTEC triple grades MMP or above.
Or Access 3-36 D/M with min 3D.
And GCSE English Language at grade 4 or grade C or above.
A DBS check and an interview is required.
Applicants should have sufficient practical experience prior to commencement of the course (i.e. 100 hours practical work with young people and / or communities).
Through supervised professional practice placements and university-based study, you will learn how to work with young people and the communities in which they live to help them realise their potential. This delicate and expert approach will allow you to build relationships, helping to inspire and stimulate the people you work with to make positive changes in their lives. You will develop your professional identity through your unique placements, theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Placements are a significant part of the course and help you build the professional confidence and skills necessary to make a difference to other peoples’ lives. You can do your placement in three different environments, broadening your skills and experience as you progress. You may choose to do one of your placements overseas, for example, with our partners Helsinki Youth Service. Each youth and community work student is unique, and therefore brings their own interests and skill sets to the profession. This course is all about fostering students’ individual passions within the field.
UK and overseas work placements.
Tutors have personal experience of youth and community work.
Extensive placements (the equivalent of one year on placements over the three years) help you build the professional confidence and skills to make a difference to other peoples’ lives.
The National Youth Agency has assessed and validated the course to meet the professional qualification for youth work as set out by the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) for youth and community workers.
25 years’ experience in training outstanding youth and community professionals.
The tutors are leaders in international research so teaching is informed by the most current thinking.
“I have enjoyed all aspects of the course so far and I have been able to produce work which I am proud of. I’ve been taught how to write academically and I’ve realised that reading around the subject increases your knowledge, which has given me confidence in both my work and placements. The lecturers are extremely helpful and aid you to achieve to your highest ability.”
“I most enjoy how supportive the tutors are and the wide variety of topics that are covered. The learning environment is very easy going and not once since starting have I felt overwhelmed. Due to having some difficulties with assignments the University and my tutors give me ongoing support and guidance which has been fantastic. I like that it is more placement based and that you're not continuously given assignments.”
“Taking time to understand and explore why a person behaves in a certain way and how to react to this is something I explored throughout my degree. I am more confident in my own professional judgement and feel confident in managing and supervising volunteers. My three years at Marjon saw me grow as a person, and due to the support received from my lecturers, I leave feeling ready to take on new challenges.”
Is it more difficult being a teenager in the 21st century?
Are we really ready to listen to young people?
Are young people a cause of concern or a hope for the future?
Is society scared of or scared for communities in crisis?
What does the future look like to a 13 year old?
Have you got what it takes to make a difference?
“ “I didn’t think I would ever go to Uni, the tutors were really good in giving me the confidence to go on and I did well, it’s one of the things I’m most proud of. Uni gave me the language to be able to have this job. Five years ago I’d never have thought I could have this job and that’s what’s going to Marjon gave me.””
The jobs market has changed significantly over the past few years and these are exciting times for graduates from this programme as the range and scope of employment opportunities has never been so diverse.
Opportunities exist across the sectors, in voluntary and charitable organisations, in the public sector, for example children’s services, schools and colleges; and in the private sector.
Recent graduates have forged careers in a range of settings including: school inclusion projects and alternative curriculum projects, in youth offending teams, in youth projects and detached projects, in housing and advice agencies and in housing projects.
“I am over the moon to be working in community work, paid to do a job I dreamt of. I am working at the place I most enjoyed in my university placements, with a team of dedicated people who are proud to help homeless and vulnerable young people. My university placements showed me policy and procedure in action and I engaged with ‘the real world’ of community support. I can only convey my gratitude to my lecturers and peers to thank you for all your help. I would not have done it without you.”
Sonya is an Early Intervention Worker for The Zone.
“As a mature student returning to education, I had little experience with working with young people. The course helped me develop many skills and increased my knowledge base, which helped me gain employment. Hands on experience and learning in placements throughout the course really prepared me for a career in youth work and allowed me to see just what the work entails. Supportive lecturers helped me develop my abilities and increased my confidence.”
Beth is a Professional Youth Worker for Plymouth City Council.
“I support young people to improve their overall health by reducing problematic drug and/or alcohol use and associated harms. The work is diverse, no two sessions ever the same. What I love most is building the rapport and therapeutic relationships critical for the meaningful work to take place and improve wellbeing and future outcomes. The degree has given a solid foundation to all of my practice and vital understanding of the theory behind the dynamics of therapeutic relationships.”
Stella is an U18’s Drug and Alcohol Worker.
“ "In your first year you will explore the nature of youth & community work and gain an understanding of the key concepts and be able to apply this in practice over 250 hours on placement. During year two you will learn about groupwork, project management and how politics affects youth and community work, again applying this in practice across a 12 week block placement. In the third year you will develop expertise through your own research project, optional specialist modules and by looking at the current debates around how youth and community work is changing, preparing you to go out there to make a difference!"”
Fees UK students: £9,250 per annum
Fees for International students: £12,000 per annum
Teaching generally includes 9 hours a week, split between lectures and activity-based seminars. Tutorials focus on individual personal and professional development. Three professional practice placements totalling 800 hours take place in up to three different settings and are supervised by professional practitioners. In the final year, the practitioner research project enables students to specialise in an area of their choosing.
Assessment methods are based on coursework (essays, reports reviews), presentations and the production of placement files that include reflective practice and self-assessment. Professional practice is assessed against the National Occupational Standards.
Sue is a youth work academic and author, specialising in participatory practice. She was youth and community worker for thirty years, working as youth worker in Norfolk, Birmingham and Gloucestershire and then and as a senior manager in Hampshire. Currently, her work on evaluating the impact of youth work is influencing youth work practice regionally and internationally (Scotland, France, Italy, Estonia, Finland and Western Australia). Her book ‘Participatory Evaluation in Youth and Community Work’ was published in 2017.
View full profileJon has worked for 20 years as a youth work practitioner and brings that knowledge and commitment to youth work to his teaching and research. He is particularly interested in the impact of policy on practice as well as the management of youth and community work and outdoor education. Jon is leading a major research project into the value and impact of Youth Work on the lives of young people in Europe.
Five recent placement examples: