Course Details

Based at our town centre campus in Greater Manchester, the University of Bolton's BA (Hons) Community Development and Youth Work course offers dual accreditation from two nationally-recognised professional bodies. Recognised by the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) and endorsed by the Endorsement Standards Board for Community Development (ESB) and National Youth Agency (NYA), it involves 800 hours of fieldwork practice. Work-based learning through fieldwork placements, and academic studies that support the development of knowledge and skills for practice, are central to this course.

The core values of community development and youth work are at the heart of this degree. Our passionate and knowledgeable staff will guide you to explore issues such as social education, social policy, community engagement, politics, globalisation, social justice, equality and diversity, social history, housing and homelessness. We'll also support you in developing key transferable skills such as communication, self-awareness and time management.

Fieldwork placements or work-based learning can be in a number of distinct settings that work to improve the lives of people in communities and young people, preparing you to adapt to the changing environments in which you may be employed in future. Your work experience will usually be in the Greater Manchester area but can be further afield in the UK.

Highlights

1. Our Childhood and Youth Studies courses are top in the UK for student satisfaction, according to The Complete University Guide 2022.
2. The University of Bolton's BA (Hons) Community Development and Youth Work degree was the first in the North West of England to be professionally recognised by the Joint Negotiating Committee for Youth Work (JNC), as validated by the National Youth Agency (NYA) and the Endorsement and Quality Standards Board for Community Development (ESB).
3. The course has been designed in consultation with employers, ensuring the relevance of the skills and knowledge gained by graduates.
4. Extensive work placements mean you can amass hundreds of hours of practical and professional community development and youth work experience.
5. Our excellent links with over 70 partners and external agencies mean we can offer a wide variety of placements; for instance, in youth and community centres, schools, alternative education projects, women's refuges and community projects, or housing, health, leisure and youth training schemes, resettlement projects, and detached, outreach and mentoring projects.
6. You have the chance to graduate with a wide range of practical and transferable skills that apply in all kinds of social, professional and academic areas.