MA Community Development and Youth Studies

at University of Bolton

The Faculty of Health and Wellbeing works across a range of sectors offering professional and non-professional education and works to balance exposure to subject knowledge, theoretical perspectives and professional/practical skills. This master’s degree is part of a suite of programmes offering a cross-curriculum and multi-professional ethos in the areas of community development and youth work, early childhood studies and health and social care.
 

We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods. You can expect lectures, presentations, seminar discussions, small group workshops, small group tutorials and one-to-one tutorials, and using virtual learning environments (VLE) and e-learning packages. You’ll also need to undertake a significant amount of personal study, including general background reading, preparing for seminar activities, working on assignments and revising for examinations.
 

Assessment methods are also varied, allowing you to develop and demonstrate your learning in a range of ways. For example, assessments may require you to complete essays, reports, presentations, seminar contributions and portfolios.
 

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

• Postgraduate Preparation for Research Design
• Critical Reading and Writing Skills
• Leadership and Innovation
• Equality and Diversity for Human Services
• Contemporary Issues, Policy and Practice
• Dissertation
• Global Community Development, Youth Work and Sustainability
• Social Pedagogical Approaches to Community Based Learning and Development
   

• Normally, you’ll have at least a lower second class (2.2) honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
• We'll also consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
• You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
• If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). 

Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £12,950

As a graduate of our MA in Community Development and Youth Studies, you’ll have the skills and knowledge needed to lead and manage complex work with young people, adults and community groups. The course is ideal if you’re already working in the sector and wish to extend your knowledge, move into a more senior role or plan to embark on a career working with people in communities.
 

Community development and youth work seek to actively engage communities to make sense of the issues that affect their lives, helping them to set goals for improvement and respond to problems and needs through empowerment and active participation. Qualified workers are in demand across a wide range of public settings.
 

Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping stone into a range of other careers. For some of these roles, relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. They include:

• The Arts
• Mentoring
• Teaching and education
• Journalism/writing
• Health promotion
• Behaviour management
• Learning support
• Work with refugee and asylum seekers
• Advice work
• Community education
• Family support
• Probation
• Social work
• Careers advice
• Prison service
• Outdoor education/activities
• Residential care
• Volunteer co-ordination
• Youth offending