Masters degrees in Community Work help postgraduates learn the skills and expertise to work across a range of service provisions that offer support and education to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups of people.
Related subjects include International Social Work and Community Development. Entry requirements typically include an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, such as Social Science or Nursing.
This unique programme is aimed at international and UK students with an interest in international social work, community development, and comparative social policy. The programme examines advanced knowledge about the theory and practice of social work and community development in an international context. You will be encouraged to develop a critical understanding of global social issues (such as social exclusion, poverty, environmental degradation, and disasters) and relate this knowledge to developments in their own country. You will be equipped with the skills to engage in research and to apply research findings effectively in practice. The programme includes a two-week field-based learning opportunity in a social work or community work agency. The dissertation provides space for you to carry out research on an aspect of social or community work in the UK.
Durham University is a world leader in international social work and community development research, theory, and practice. Our social work team has edited the prestigious International Social Work journal and works closely with social work’s key international organisations - , the International Association of Schools of Social Work, .the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), and the International Council of Social Welfare (ICSW). Its Programme Director also represents social work at the UNFCCC and other UN bodies.
You will study in a small group of international students, and also alongside UK students on postgraduate social work and research degree programmes. This will give you plenty of opportunities to share knowledge and experience in addition to your learning through lectures, presentations and seminars.
The MA consists of five core modules, designed to give you an understanding of social work as it is practiced in the UK, and a thorough grounding in research methods and their application. You will also choose two specialist modules according to your particular professional interests. Finally, you will undertake a research project and write a dissertation. To achieve the Master's degree, you must accumulate a total of 180 credits, as listed below.
International Social Work (30 credits)
Social Work: Context and Practice (30 credits)
Community Development and Organising (15 credits)
Practitioner Research and Dissertation (60 credits)
Field Based Learning (15 credits)
Note students are required to pay for travel costs to and from their fieldwork practice placement.
These are subject to staff availability. In previous years, typical modules offered were:
Youth Policy and Practice (15 credits)
Management in Community Settings (30 credits)
Policy Related and Evaluation Research (15 credits)
Statistical Exploration and Reasoning (15 credits)
Quantitative Research Methods in Social Science (15 credits)
Qualitative Research Methods in Social Science (15 credits)
Theorising Crime and Criminal Justice (30 credits)
Crime, Violence and Abuse (30 credits)
Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Community and Primary Healthcare Practice at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
The Community and Primary Healthcare Practice course provides a flexible opportunity for practitioners wishing to enhance their leadership, research and educational expertise within community and primary and public healthcare practice.
Performance:
- a new course designed to help practitioners develop their role in community, primary care and public health practice.
Teaching and Employability:
- closely linked to current Welsh Government and Department of Health policy, practice and services
- students are encouraged to explore and reflect on their own community and primary healthcare practice with the potential for contribution to the development of innovative, cross-disciplinary research outputs
- the course enhances career development and promotion opportunities for successful students
- students are supported in clinical practice by an experienced and prepared mentor
To ensure that our communities are strong and sustainable, it is important to continue to improve the health and well-being of our population.
The government’s investment in public health and primary care emphasises the importance of good leadership and the need for innovative practice.
Community practitioners are vital to improving the health of the population as they are committed to working with individuals, families and communities within the public health agenda.
Their expertise in public health allows them to have insight into how social and environmental factors can influence the health and well-being of people in society.
The Community and Primary Healthcare Practice course helps practitioners to develop their role in protecting, promoting and improving public health.
The Community and Primary Healthcare Practice course uses a range of teaching and learning methods which offer a variety of opportunities. Teaching is carried out through formal taught sessions and discussion groups/seminars using action-based learning approaches.
The degree in Community and Primary Healthcare Practice offers the option for students to engage in a work-based learning module as part of the Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma programmes.
The Community and Primary Healthcare Practice course is a modular postgraduate course consisting of 180 credits at level M.
The course is offered on a part-time basis with completion typically within three years.
Assessment
Community and Primary Healthcare Practice students are assessed throughout their coursework (e.g. written assignments such as research projects and essays and seminar presentations) and a dissertation of approximately 20,000 words.
Work Placements
The MSc Community and Primary Healthcare Practice course offers students the option to engage in a work-based learning module. This requires an arrangement between the student, personal tutor and practice facilitator and as such will require collaboration with the NHS Health Boards and/or independent healthcare sector to ensure adequate support and supervision in the workplace.
Existing partnerships are well established and this programme will suit current arrangements.
Modules on the Community and Primary Healthcare Practice course may include:
Continuing Your Professional Development in Community and Primary Health Care Practice
Working in Community and Primary Health Care Practice
Working in Community and Primary Mental Health Care Practice
Working with Individuals, Families & Communities in Primary Health Care Practice
Foundations in Research
Pastoral support is offered by personal tutors and the Swansea University student support and health services are recommended to students and stipulated in student handbooks.
Blackboard has a dedicated tab for student services which provides money advice, information about wellbeing services, equal opportunities and accommodation issues.
In cases where students have personal or any other kind of problems that they would prefer not to discuss with College lecturers, they are able to talk with a Student Counsellor.
Similarly, if lecturers feel that the concern the student has expressed is better discussed with the Student Counsellor, they will suggest to the student that he or she make an appointment for an interview.
The Community and Primary Healthcare Practice course sits within the Department of Public Health, Policy and Social Sciences.
The community and public health team is well-qualified and experienced. It comprises one professor and four lecturers. Members of the team are registered with the:
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the Community Practitioners and Health Visitor Association (CPHVA)
Queen's Nursing Institute
All academic members of the team hold a Master’s degree and/or a Doctorate.
The College of Human and Health Sciences has a vibrant postgraduate community with students drawn from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities. The College is known for its friendly, welcoming and supportive environment, which combined with its extensive facilities, state-of-the-art technology and superb beachside location, helps to ensure that students benefit from an exceptional student experience.
In addition, Community and Primary Healthcare Practice students have access to a wide range of excellent facilities and equipment for realistic workplace experiences.
Are you an educator of any description? Do you work in Schools, youth work, community arts, adult and community learning, educational challenges, housing, planning, social work or link professions or organisations? This programme offers you the opportunity to further develop your skills and knowledge towards enriching your practice and promotional opportunities within this sector. The programme does not impede on your ability to work, in fact it is a complementary study programme which you can use in your working life or voluntary work.
The programme contains a mix of online and campus (blended) learning and this opens up opportunities to work with the Creative Learning Team at Aberdeen City Council and other departments and it ensures that skills and knowledge you gain are of industry relevant standard. The programme is also a work based route to obtain the Community Learning and Development professional qualification.
This programme is of relevance to those already working within Community Learning and Development or individuals who want to move into these areas and do offer some voluntary work or experience in order to progress into this field. It can be a hugely rewarding area in terms of educational value to individuals and communities and progression routes for those people either within work or social experiences which add to their employability and life experience. There are many charities, heritage attractions, museums and other organisations which rely on community involvement to educate others.
Compulsory Courses for MSc
Optional Courses
Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
programme web pahttps://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/degree-programmes/967/community-learning-and-development/
£925 per module
*Please be advised that some programmes have different tuition fees from those listed above and that some programmes also have additional costs.
Find out more about fees
View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page
Find out more about:
Find out more about living in Aberdeen and living costs
The MA in Community and Youth Work integrates advanced study in challenging issues facing society today with accredited professional education for key roles in community development, youth work, and associated equality, human rights, international development, local development, local authority, national institutions, and international agency work. The programme provides an opportunity to engage in education and training in a dialogical environment, combining research and praxis for action, policy influence and advocacy, and participation in shaping society and facilitating young people to reach their potential.
Professional Endorsement:
The MA in Community and Youth Work [incorporating the Postgraduate Diploma in Community and Youth Work (PDCYW)] is endorsed by the North South Education and Training Standards Board as a professional qualification in Youth Work and by the All Ireland Endorsement Body for Community Work as a professional qualification in Community Work.
Commences
September
The programme in line with all postgraduate professional qualifications takes place over two years fulltime or three years part time in service. Students undertake a full time professional fieldwork placement lasting fourteen weeks in each year.
Duration: 3 years part-time in service
The MA in Community and Youth Work integrates advanced study in challenging issues facing society today with accredited professional education for key roles in community development, youth work, and associated equality, human rights, international development, local development, local authority, national institutions, and international agency work. The programme provides an opportunity to engage in education and training in a dialogical environment, combining research and praxis for action, policy influence and advocacy, and participation in shaping society and facilitating young people to reach their potential.
Professional Endorsement:
The MA in Community and Youth Work [incorporating the Postgraduate Diploma in Community and Youth Work (PDCYW) is endorsed by the North South Education and Training Standards Board as a professional qualification in Youth Work and by the All Ireland Endorsement Body for Community Work as a professional qualification in Community Work.
Commences
September
The programme, in line with all postgraduate professional qualifications takes place over two years fulltime or three years part time in service. Students undertake a full time professional fieldwork placement lasting fourteen weeks in each year.
Duration: 2 years Full-time
This exciting advanced programme of study responds to the demands of the field to produce an enhanced current and critical exploration of youth work and community learning and development practice. It is a professional development route leading to a widely recognized postgraduate level qualification in these fields.
If you can demonstrate that you are able to work at postgraduate level are interested in developing critically reflective responses to range of education and learning challenges and keen to mix rigorous academic study with reflective practice, then this programme is ideal for you.
The programmes will have particular relevance for those looking to enhance their leadership and managerial profile within the field, contribute to the strategic development of their agencies and extend the depth and breadth of learning experiences with young people and in local communities.
Possession of a highly regarded qualification at postgraduate level will enhance prospects of promotion into management and leadership roles.
The MA offers preparation for a wide range of enhanced career opportunities.
The PG Dip/MA Youth Work and Community Learning and Development is a multi-disciplinary programme available by part time or blended learning modes of study.
The PG Dip takes 16 months to complete by part time study with the full MA taking a total of 24 months to complete.
The programme consists of a two stage qualification process. The first being the PG Dip, with an optional exit point at postgraduate certificate level, then the MA. The MA comprises eight modules, there are six modules for the PG Dip.
You can finish the PG Dip in four terms and the MA in a further two terms. We are flexible to fit into student’s other commitments and so the course can be extended if needed.
PG Dip: Studies in professional youth work, strategic leadership and management, youth work and community learning and development, supervision studies, reflection on professional practice.
Full MA: Research design module, dissertation.
It operates in two day blocks (10-12 hours of teaching per block) approximately two/three times a term. These teaching blocks are replaced with individual supervision and self-directed study when MA students start to write their dissertation.
Assessment is continuous throughout the programme by means of written academic work and practice assessments.
The College encourages and welcomes applications from all students able to benefit from the programmes offered. We consider all applications individually and take into account academic qualifications and professional experience. The usual entry requirement is the possession of a first degree (2.ii or above), you must also be able to demonstrate:
Please contact the College if you would like to apply for this programme but are uncertain whether you meet the entry requirements.
Youth and community work is an area that is both challenging and in a state of flux thanks to a range of complex factors, including government policy, shifting ideologies and cultural or familial issues.
If you are an experienced practitioner in this field who has completed a Postgraduate Diploma, this is your chance to enhance your expertise and professional development by completing a research project or dissertation and gain a masters qualification.
Your course will give you a better understanding of social research methodologies, data collection and analysis techniques so you can confidently use best-practice approaches in a range of complex youth and community situations.
At the end of your studies, you will have a critical perspective of policy and practice, which in turn will give you the confidence to shape policy and practice in order to improve the lives of young people and communities.
You will benefit from the expertise of our staff, most of whom are active researchers in the field of youth and community work.
Course leader Alan Smith is vice chair of the National Youth Agency Education and Training Standards Committee and is co-chair of the Joint Education and Training Standards Committee.
The Youth Work & Community team have twice been shortlisted for Course Team of the Year in our Students' Union Golden Robe Awards, winning in 2014. These accolades celebrate and recognise the work of our University staff.
Guest speakers will also be on hand to share their practical insights and knowledge. Previous guest lecturers have included international academics who provided insights into the differences between youth and community work in the UK and overseas, and a member of Ofsted who spoke about the changing shape of youth work.
This course attracts a diverse student group, so you will have a supportive community to discuss ideas and strategies with. With this exposure to different views and methods of problem solving, you will gain a fresh perspective on the issues you will deal with in your career.
Your future career is our business. That's why we offer further study opportunities across all our subject areas. Our postgraduate courses are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt, benefit from our links with industry and give you a CV that will catch the eye of employers.
This course is primarily for those working in, or intending to work, in local authority and voluntary organisation youth and community work settings, as well as those working with, and managing organisations for young people. You will gain knowledge and experience of the policies, best practice and skills required to develop both personally and professionally.
This is one of the few professional youth work courses in the West Midlands which provides you with the opportunity to meet national Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) standards Professional Graduate Certificate/Postgraduate Certificate. You will benefit from Newman’s considerable national and international reputation for critical community engagement.
You will professionally qualify at the Postgraduate Diploma level. Those going onto the Master’s will develop further research skills and have the opportunity to research their areas of interest in their dissertation. Upon successful completion of this programme you may wish to progress to the Work-Based Learning (Youth & Community Work) MA. Please refer to the website for further information.
Fees
2018/19
MA - Home/EU Students £4,950
PG Diploma - Home/EU Students £3,300
Please note for 2019/20 the University reserves the right to increase fees broadly in line with increases in inflation, or to reflect changes in government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
We welcome enquiries from appropriately qualified applicants with research interests in community and youth work.
Current research topics include:
Find out more about the research interests of our staff, and about research degrees at Goldsmiths.
You will be assessed by thesis and viva voce.
The Equality and Community Leadership programme is a unique course developed and inspired by individuals who work within communities as activists and change makers. The principle concern of the programme is the study of communities and the dynamics and tensions of human interaction within them, alongside the role of law as a vehicle of governance. It aims to focus on understanding disadvantages within communities and how inclusivity can be established, as well as, understand social inequalities and how to enhance the value of diversity and inclusion. It is developed in the context of recent legislation which requires public bodies to ‘set and publish’ equality information objectives and both theory and practice at their centre. You will critically engage with concepts and methods to uncover inequalities and offer strategies for change towards valuing diversity and social inclusion in the context of society, communities and organisations.
An academic qualification in community leadership provides an excellent and recognised foundation for a career in the field. The course is designed to prepare the student for senior positions of community leadership within the third sector, the public sector, governance and politics, and also to play a leading role on the international stage. The course provides excellent opportunities for international, national, regional, and local networking and the development of personal social capital which will serve to effectively enhance employability prospects.
The course is available part-time and includes a flexible teaching pattern. Some modules are taught in short intensive blocks of five days. Other modules adopt a blended teaching approach where lectures are delivered once per month.
This makes it possible for students that are working or live at a distance to be able to take individual modules without regular weekly attendance at the University. However, the ethos of a strong peer learning community is central to all modes of learning, regardless of being either classroom or web based.
A range of assessment methods will be used during your course. Your skills, knowledge and understanding will be formally and informally assessed through written assignments, oral presentations and through practical tasks. The requirements and the marking criteria for all course assessments are clearly set out for you in this handbook and module handbooks. Tutors may provide additional supportive material to you.
Opportunities will also be provided throughout the course for informal, formative assessment of your skills, knowledge and understanding. You will be invited to present seminar papers, contribute to class and online discussions, apply your learning informally in the workplace and take part in tutorials.
You will enjoy a postgraduate research culture and varied developed links with professional bodies such the Institute of Leadership and Management and other public, voluntary, community and faith organisations.
You will draw from experience of active equality-trained practitioners and research expertise within UCLan’s award-winning Centre for Volunteering and Community Leadership, noted for its work in developing community cohesion and active citizenship projects. The Centre works across a number of key areas, with students looking to gain an advantage through our accredited volunteering opportunities.
The course is designed to capacity build individuals from across the sector in driving civic engagement and maintaining inclusivity. They aim is to critically engage students with concepts and methods to uncover inequalities and offer strategies for change towards valuing diversity and social inclusion in the context of society, communities and organisations.
