Undergraduate

Education Studies (Youth and Community Work)

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With three professional placements in diverse settings—locally or abroad—you’ll gain invaluable real-world experience in statutory and voluntary projects, youth justice, mental health, and more.
Empower young people to find their voice and thrive with our Youth and Community Work degree.
This professionally qualifying programme equips you with the nationally recognised Youth Work (JNC) qualification.
Study your way, this course gives the chance to complete a core programme in Education Studies or specialise in one of three pathways.
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Duration

Mode

  • Standard course
  • With a foundation year

Typical offer

What does this mean?

This degree equips you with the skills to empower young people, amplify their voices, and make a difference in communities.

Alongside your degree, gain the nationally recognised professional Youth Work qualification (JNC) while undertaking professional practice in diverse settings, from youth justice to alternative education projects. Explore topics like youth and community justice, applied professional ethics, and participation and engagement, while linking theory to real-world experience.

With extensive support from experts and hands-on opportunities, this course prepares you for a rewarding career in youth and community work.

  • 94.9% of students

    in work or further study 15 months after graduating 1

  • 1st in the UK

    for teaching on my course 1

  • Learn hands on

    with a work-based placement

  • Forest School

    certification opportunity

  • Gain an extra qualification

    in Youth Work 3

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Course overview
Module options

About this course

Empower young people to find their voice and thrive with our Youth and Community Work degree. This professionally qualifying programme equips you with the nationally recognised Youth Work (JNC) qualification, preparing you to make a lasting impact in the lives of young people and communities.

You’ll explore key topics such as models, theories, and interventions in youth and community work, applied professional ethics, and youth and community justice, alongside the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Youth Work. Through a blend of theory and practice, you’ll develop the skills to foster social inclusion, challenge inequalities, and support young people in shaping their futures and place in society.

With three professional placements in diverse settings - locally or abroad - you’ll gain invaluable real-world experience in statutory and voluntary projects, alternative education, youth justice, and more. Expert tutors will support you in identifying placements that contribute to your professional development, while qualified practitioners will mentor you throughout your journey.

At Hull, you’ll benefit from passionate teaching, innovative approaches, and extensive partnership networks that enhance your learning and career opportunities. From day one, you’ll connect theory to practice, building a strong foundation for a meaningful and rewarding career in youth and community work.

If you want to make a change in the world by facilitating young people to engage in activities and experiences that develop their voice, influence, and place in society, then youth and community work is for you.

Scheduled study hours and how you’re assessed

Throughout your degree, you’re expected to study for 1,200 hours per year. That’s based on 200 hours per 20 credit module. And it includes scheduled hours, time spent on placement and independent study. How this time is divided across the year varies and depends on the module you are studying.

How you'll be assessed depends on the course you study, and the modules you choose. You may be assessed through a mix of examinations, coursework, presentations and group projects.

Choose your modules

Each year, you’ll study modules worth a certain number of credits, you need 120 credits per year – so you’ll study up to six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as your extended research project, are worth more. In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120. Some modules are compulsory, some are optional, so you can build a course that’s right for you.

Preparing for Learning in Higher Education

This module is designed to give you the best possible start to your university studies, making sure you have all the essential skills you need to succeed. Through lectures and workshops we will teach you how to write in an academic style, how to find quality sources, how to reference work, culminating in writing up a mini-research project.

Core•20 credits

Introduction to Education

This module sets the scene for the programme, starting with your own background and experience and exploring what education means, how it differs from schooling and key concepts and approaches. It will also help you to develop the academic skills necessary for your degree programme.

Core•20 credits

Research in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Education

This module will equip you with the necessary skills to conduct and analyse research in a specific interest, supported by academics within your subject. You'll navigate through the research process, from identifying an area of interest to presenting their findings to your peers.

Core•20 credits

Group Challenge (Humanities)

Formulate and execute a group led enquiry into texts, cultural artifacts, film, music or dance. You'll explore their topics in groups at supervised workshops and develop questions on the cultural object relates to the living world of human experience, as well as developing your own methods to answer these questions.

Compulsory•20 credits

Foundation in Data Analysis

Develop a strong foundation in data collection and analysis. This module will introduce you to qualitative and quantitative data and how to analyse it; the collection of primary and secondary data; the production of high quality graphics; and report writing.

Compulsory•20 credits

Academic Writing Skills

Developing confidence in expression, oral as well as written, is a key feature of this module, which also aims to familiarise you with submission and assessment procedures in the context of Higher Education. This is a clear building block onto your degree programme and places you at a distinct advantage when you move into the following year.

Compulsory•20 credits

In the foundation year, you are introduced to subjects relating to education. Modules comprise aspects of psychological, sociological and historical aspects of learning; study skills; and an introduction to the environments for learning, which will investigate learning in a variety of settings.
6 Modules

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

This engaging module provides foundation knowledge and skills that will enable you to develop understanding and analysis of social inequalities and the nature of discrimination in contemporary society. There will be opportunities to explore key equality legislation and policy. The module will explore the ethical and political rationale for developing equitable, diverse, and inclusive practices as part of an agenda for social justice and social change.  

Compulsory•20 credits

Education, Power and Knowledge

Education is at the forefront of social change for social justice.  This module offers you the opportunity to make a difference, through Education, from the beginning of your studies.  As agents of educational change, you will undertake a collaborative project which focuses on the issues you are passionate about alongside fellow students and academics. You will examine how mainstream education has been shaped through agendas of power that reproduce social inequalities.  This module then introduces you to existing alternative approaches to education and to the direct action of educators and learners which come from those approaches. Alternative approaches to education can act as driver of change to challenge poverty, inequality, and sustainable community development at local, national, and global contexts.

Compulsory•20 credits

Learning Across the Lifespan

This module explores a diverse range of theories of human development and learning. Using real world examples, you will be encouraged to apply a combination of theories to understand, consider and reflect upon appropriate courses of action to address issues found across a range: of relevant settings and contexts.

Compulsory•20 credits

Ethical Dilemmas and the Moral Maze

Dealing with real-world, ethical, or moral dilemmas is both challenging and pertinent to all areas of lived experience and professional, practice.  The module will introduce you to a range of theoretical models and provide opportunities to explore these in relation to real world ethical dilemmas drawn from professional practice contexts.  

Compulsory•20 credits

Social Justice and Social Change

Social Justice and Social Change offers an exciting opportunity for you to make a difference from the outset of your studies. You will work collaboratively to co-produce the big social justice questions.  Why are so many children still living in poverty in the UK? Why does inequality still exist?  Why do so many young people leave school without being able to read and write?  What will good work look like in 2030. How is social media affecting ideas about education? What is your vision for the type of society you want to live in?  With these big questions in mind, you will become familiar with innovative, creative projects and initiatives that work with children, young people, and communities, locally, regionally, nationally and globally.  The module provides field work visits and placement alongside teaching and learning.

Compulsory•40 credits
5 Modules

Managing Self in Contemporary Practice Contexts

This module will provide opportunities to understand how organisations work in contemporary society and will consider different approaches to leadership. The module will encourage you to explore your own approach to leading and managing in the 21st century and introduce you to a range of graduate futures across all organisation types including for example schools, charities, health services or your own enterprise business. The module will encourage you to think about leadership in new ways as well as understanding the challenges facing organisations in developing ethical and socially just practices and services. You will acquire a range of skills and develop your knowledge to help you make a difference through activities such as knowing where to source funding and write a funding bid to evidence good practice.

Compulsory•20 credits

Participation, Engagement and Applied Professional Ethics with Young People and Communities

As Youth and Community Workers you will draw on an appreciative view of young people and communities, recognising and valuing what is strong and not wrong to challenge the dominant deficit discourse that portrays young people as deviant and communities as lacking. This module supports you to examine innovative and creative ways to make a difference in society and in facilitating young people as active citizens.  This module will provide you with the opportunity to develop essential knowledge and understanding of the important profession of Youth and Community Work which will enhance your ability to excel in your chosen field of work.

Compulsory•20 credits

Issues and Interventions in Youth and Community Work

This module provides a sound basis for understanding key issues such as mental health, child criminal exploitation, youth offending, victimisation and the interventions and practices which seek to address these. Working in small project teams you will have the opportunity to identify and explore issues through real world case studies and practitioner experiences from which you can apply relevant theory and policy. During the module you will develop your understanding of the youth and community justice system, health services/projects and the role of Youth and Community Work within both health intervention and justice services.   

Compulsory•20 credits

Communities of Practice

This is a participatory, experiential, and collaborative module in which you will be introduced to a series of provocations identified by practitioners working at a grass root level in range of youth and community work settings.  The module works alongside the professional practice placement and will enable you to undertake in-depth investigation into issues you are encountering in practice.

Compulsory•20 credits

Professional Practice Placement

You will have the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of young people and communities through an extended placement within your chosen field, either in the UK or abroad, Through the placement you will become increasingly confident, competent and drive your own professional development.  We have exciting placement opportunities in various contexts that will introduce you to a range of innovative ways you can work with and alongside Youth and Community Work organisations, practitioners, young people and communities which have impact in their lives.

Compulsory•40 credits
5 Modules

Voice and Influence

This dynamic module will extend your knowledge and understanding of the role and purpose of voice and influence in your practice with children, young people, families, adults and communities. It is crucial that people have a voice and the opportunity to influence decisions that affect them and the matters that are of importance to them. The module will examine models of voice and influence from forums and campaigns to the role of the media. It will also explore issues of advocacy and   ways to support children, young people, adults and communities in representing their views, needs and wishes to decision makers.

Compulsory•20 credits

Extended Research Project

This module builds on your learning and development throughout the three years of your degree and offers an exciting opportunity to delve deeply into and explore a contemporary issue which you feel passionate about that is relevant to your programme of study. You will have the opportunity to design, develop and conduct your own research project. Through the process of this research and writing up your extended research project you will develop specialist knowledge and skills relevant to your graduate future, whether that be employment or postgraduate study. 

Compulsory•60 credits

Professional Practice Placement

In this module you will have an opportunity to design, implement and evaluate a strategy for your own Youth and Community Work practice that contributes to making a difference in the lives of young people and/or communities. We have exciting placement opportunities in various contexts that will open up spaces for you to develop effective practice. 

Compulsory•40 credits
3 Modules

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Course Overview 2 mins

Rewilding Reading

Research Highlight 9 mins

Teaching facilities

University Life 1 min

Accommodation at Hull

University Life 2 mins

Entry requirements

What do I need?

When it comes to applying to university, you'll need a certain number of UCAS points. Different qualifications and grades are worth a different amount of points. For this course, you'll need…

Use UCAS's calculator to work out your estimated points

We consider experience and qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match the combinations above.

But it's not just about the grades - we'll look at your whole application. We want to know what makes you tick, and about your previous experience, so make sure that you complete your personal statement.

Have questions? Our admissions team will be happy to help.

What do I need?

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and computers on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and computers on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our academics

You'll benefit from the outstanding support of academic staff who are experienced education practitioners.

Our research is driven by the belief that education can challenge inequalities and injustices in society, and seeks social and educational change to enhance fairness, equity and social justice.

See more academics for this subject
Julie Rippingale
Featured academic

Julie Rippingale

Julie is a highly experienced lecturer and interdisciplinary specialist in youth and community development with extensive frontline practice and management experience.
Christine Smith
Featured academic

Christine Smith

Christine Smith is passionate about the transformative potential of community and education in creating the conditions to produce greater social justice and in combating new formations of inequality.

Take a look at our facilities

Education Lecture Room

Study the theory in our lecture rooms – before you put your learning into practice in the classroom.

Forest School Training Centre

You could access our Forest School Training Centre with outdoor classroom, gardens, wooded area and wildflower meadows.

Brynmor Jones Library

Our seven-storey library is a superb learning space. As well more than a million books, there’s a variety of study areas, over 400 open-access PCs and one amazing view.

Group Lecture Room

Collaborate in group lecture rooms working as part of our vibrant community of students and staff who all share an interest in developing excellent learning opportunities for others.

See more in our virtual tour

Look around

Forest School Training Centre

Look around

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Education Lecture Room
Forest School Training Centre
Brynmor Jones Library Observation Deck
Wilberforce TV Teaching Room
A student sitting on green grass reading a book

Future prospects

Graduates of this course go on to impactful roles such as Youth and Community Workers, Youth Justice Officers, Mental Health Practitioners, and Outreach Workers. Others specialise in areas like child exploitation, domestic abuse support, or sexual health projects, making a real difference in young people’s lives.

The course also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study, for example our MA Social Justice and Community Engagement or MA SENDI degrees, opening doors to advanced roles in education and beyond.

University of Hull Open Day

Your next steps

Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.

The standard way to apply for this course is through UCAS. This will give you the chance to showcase your skill, qualities and passion for the subject, as well as providing your academic qualifications.

How to apply

Not ready to apply?

Visit our next Open Day, and see all that Hull has to offer for yourself. Talk to our lecturers about your subject, find out what university is really like from our current students, and take a tour of our beautiful campus and amazing facilities.

Book your place now

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1. 94.9% employability (Education Studies) UK domicile full-time first degree leavers; Higher Education Graduate Outcomes statistics, for the academic year 2021/22, published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency June 2024.

2. 1st in the UK for teaching on my course National Student Survey (NSS) 2024, HEIs only.

3. Students studying the Youth and Community pathway will receive the Professional JNC qualification in Youth and Community Work.  

All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

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