What is Professional Youth and Community Work?
Post "Celtic Tiger" society in Ireland is in crisis. Communities continue to be polarised from those policy-makers who determine key decisions fuelling inequalities in relation to social, economic and political life. Increasingly, there is a growing gap between those in poverty and those who remain the beneficiaries of some questionable policies and practices of our capitalist economy. In this context, skilled and knowledgeable community and youth workers have a key role to play as facilitators, leaders and participants in movements for social and economic justice.
Graduates from this programme usually choose to seek employment in the community and voluntary sector e.g. working with young people and early school leavers, with women’s groups, with community development projects, with Travellers rights groups. The community and voluntary sector in Ireland is rapidly expanding and there are increasing numbers of paid and career track positions available. Many of these attract professional salaries. Graduates may also choose to use their social science degree to pursue a career in social research.
Successful completion of the programme carries the award of a Bachelors degree in Social Science (Youth & Community Work) validated by the North-South Education in Training Standards in Youth Work Agency and is recognised by JNC conditions for professional qualification.
Course Outline
The B.Soc.Sc.Youth and Community Work programme offers opportunities to those with personal experience of marginalisation to reflect on their personal and collective experiences of community and youth work to date, to gain a theoretical framework for analysis and practice and to engage in supervised practice.
This undergraduate programme is delivered as a three year degree course in Social Science. The first course commenced in October 1995 in Cork. Since then, three cycles have been completed in Cork, and one each in outreach centres in Carlow and Wexford. The course is currently running in Cork only, and now recruits every year.
The B.Soc.Sc. Youth and Community Work programme does not exclusively recruit from among those who have experienced disadvantage but also includes students who have demonstrated, through previous work experience, an interest in social justice and who are interested in working in solidarity with those experiencing social exclusion. The hoped for outcome is that these practitioners, whether paid or voluntary, will continue to offer their enhanced skills and knowledge to critical social movements and will share their vision with others.
In an increasingly demanding environment this programme delivers a structured and supportive course for those who are currently, and will be in the future, working at the coal-face in community and youth work.
Entry Requirements and Selection Criteria
The course is open to Mature Students only – i.e. over 23 years of age on January 1st of the year of commencing the course. Applicants require at least one years experience in the community / youth or related sector. Successful completion of an access course in a related area (e.g. Diploma in Youth and Community Work, Diploma in Social Studies) is also desirable but not essential.
A shortlist of suitable applicants will be prepared by the course team. These candidates will be invited to an interview process, which includes participating in a group interview and attending an individual interview.
Career Opportunities
Graduates from this programme usually choose to seek employment in the community and voluntary sector e.g. working with early school leavers, with women’s groups, with community development projects, with Travellers' rights groups. The community and voluntary sector in Ireland is rapidly expanding and there are increasing numbers of paid positions available. Many of these attract professional salaries. Graduates may also choose to use their social science degree to pursue a career in social research. To find out what past students did, please view the file at the end of this page.
How to Apply
Applications to the BYCW are made only through the Central Applications Office (CAO) system. The closing date for receipt of applications in the CAO system is February 1st in the proposed year of study. The CAO code for the BYCW is CK114.
Students are encouraged to give sufficient detail of their relevant work and life experience on their CAO application form. Candidates may be invited to interview. For an informal discussion about your candidacy, in the first instance please contact the Mr. Michael O'hAodain at 021 4903753 / m.ohaodain@ucc.ie
