Youth and Community Work (with JNC Recognition)

Entry requirements

You will be required to have:

• an undergraduate degree of second-class honours or above in a relevant social science subject or any youth and/or community related subject
• GCSE English at grade C/4 minimum, or Key Skills Communication Level 2 and Numeracy Level 2, or equivalent
• six-months' experience in a related area, such as paid or unpaid experience in community and youth work organisations or charities

We consider all applications on a case by case basis so even if you don't meet all of the requirements above, we may still consider your application. If you do not meet the undergraduate degree requirements but have an alternative qualification and extensive work experience in community and youth work, we would like to hear from you.

In addition to the above, you'll also need to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and a university interview.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

Why study this course?

This Youth and Community Work (with JNC recognition) MSc is a National Youth Agency (NYA) and Endorsements Standards Board (ESB) approved qualification. The course leads to Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) recognition, which means you’ll become a JNC-qualified Professional Youth Worker and Community Development Practitioner when you successfully complete the course.

If you already hold JNC recognition, or have an existing Level 6 qualification from either the National Youth Agency (NYA) or the Endorsement and Quality Standards Boards for Community Development Learning (ESB), please see our Youth and Community Work (Advanced Practice) MSc instead.

More about this course

If you’re looking to start your career in the sector or want to increase your employment opportunities, this is the perfect course for you.

You may be working as a youth and/or community worker already in the voluntary, public or independent sector. This course will lead to JNC recognition, which can open the door to opportunities in this sector.

Recent graduates are now employed in full-time positions in youth and community work. Because of this, they’re now able to offer placements and JNC supervision in various voluntary and third-sector organisations.

Our Youth and Community Work master’s degree includes 400 hours of practical experience carried out via a placement, equipping you to meet industry requirements. You’ll spend a minimum of 50% of this time working with young people. Typically you’ll work closely with 13 to 19-year-olds, but this could be extended to 11 to 25-year-olds.

Drawing on the values of social justice and anti-oppressive practice, you’ll learn about theory, trauma-informed practice, policy and practice to help you develop a mix of academic and vocational skills. You’ll also learn about challenges facing the sector and develop key skills, such as pitching for funding, that will help you to work through these challenges.

Our course meets JNC requirements, adheres to the NYA code of conduct and Community Development National Occupational Standards (2015). This means you’ll gain in-depth understanding of professional boundaries and knowledge that supports sound and safe practice.

Once you’ve successfully completed the course, you’ll understand professional requirements, and be able to identify oppression in all forms. On top of this, you’ll also be able to recognise true participation and use your voice effectively to represent young people and wider communities.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed in a variety of ways including assignments, portfolios, presentations, podcasts, case study analysis, a dissertation and an assessed work placement.

You’ll be required to undertake one supervised and assessed practice referred to as ‘the placement’ during this course. This 400-hour hands-on experience can be carried out either at your own workplace (if in the youth and community sector) or we can help you arrange a work placement with current providers or ex-students.

This substantial placement of assessed practice means you’ll develop an in-depth understanding of intervention and anti-oppressive practice.

A compulsory research module will introduce you to various research methods in preparation for your dissertation and placement. This 12,000 word dissertation will allow you to pursue a topic of your choice in-depth.

Professional accreditation

This course is accredited by the National Youth Agency (NYA) and the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC). The course is also validated by the Endorsement and Quality Standards Board for Community Development Learning (ESB), which is the professional body for people working in community work and community development roles.

After the course

Once you’ve successfully completed the course, you’ll be able to practise as a JNC-qualified Professional Youth Worker and Community Development Practitioner. Due to the practical nature of this course, you’ll have strong employability connections with former students and placement organisations.

Our graduates have gone on to work in a range of organisations, including local authority social services departments, mental health trusts, drugs and alcohol services, children’s centres, social prescribing, and in A&E with young victims of knife crime, among others.

You could also progress to senior youth and community positions, including management and supervisory roles. If you demonstrate research potential on this course, you may also be encouraged to undertake doctoral studies.

Information for international students

To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Tier 4 student visa you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.