The Postgraduate Diploma in Youth Work is available on a full-time basis only. The programme is delivered over one academic year from the date of first registration for the programme. Students take modules to the value of 60 credits. Most classes are held on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 5.30-7.30pm, though this may vary at specific times of the year. Students are also required to attend a 5-day induction session in the week preceding Semester 1 and two intensive week-long workshops (End of Semester 1; End of Semester 2).

Students are required to complete two practice placements in separate locations including:
a. A short practice placement of 100 hours (Placement I).
b. An intensive, block practice placement, which is a minimum of 10 weeks in duration, comprising 30 hours per week (Placement II).

Placements are selected by the student in consultation with the Fieldwork Placement Coordinator to assure the suitability of the agency. It is the responsibility of the student to source a suitable placement and to negotiate the placement terms with the placement agency. Where a student is unable to secure his/her own placement, the Placement Co-Ordinator will assist in sourcing a suitable placement, however, the final responsibility for securing a placement rests with the student. All placements are subject to approval of the Fieldwork Placement Coordinator. Placements outside of Cork City are acceptable.

Applicants will normally have achieved a minimum grade of a 2.2 in an Honours degree. Candidates will be normally be graduates from cognate disciplines, including but not limited to: Social Science, Education (incl. Sports Studies), Social Work, Early Years and Childhood Studies, Social Care (NFQ, Level 8), Sociology and Psychology. Applicants are also required to possess a minimum of two years' experience in a paid or voluntary capacity in a full-time youth work position (or equivalent part-time experience).

In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the approval of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, candidates who hold a primary degree (NFQ, Level 8) which is unrelated to youth work practice may also be considered if they can evidence a high level of relevant youth work practice-related experience (normally of 3 or more years).

In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the approval of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, candidates who hold a primary degree (NFQ, Level 8), which is lower than a Second Class Honours, Grade II standard, and who demonstrate a high level of relevant work experience, may also be eligible for entry to the course. Applicants may be required to submit a piece of writing which demonstrates their academic ability to undertake a Level 9 postgraduate programme and this will be assessed by members of the Selection Panel.

All applicants who meet the entry requirements will be invited for interview.

Applicants who do not hold a primary degree will not be accepted onto the programme. Applicants who hold a NFQ, Level 7 degree/qualification will not be accepted onto the programme. The School of Applied Social Studies offers a very successful undergraduate programme which allows students to access professional training in youth work. Potential applicants who do not hold an undergraduate degree are advised to apply to this programme.

All applicants for the programme will be interviewed as part of the selection process.

Garda Vetting
Students, or applicants in receipt of an offer, on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting as relevant. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy.

Fitness to Practise
This programme is subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy - full details may be found here.

Students take 60 credits of core modules as follows:

SS6020 Principles and Practice of Youth Work (10 credits)
SS6022 Youth, Ethics and Welfare (5 credits)
SS6023 Project Planning, Management and Leadership Skills (5 credits)
SS6030 Practice Placement I (5 credits)
SS6031 Practice Placement II (20 credits)
SS6036 Youth Work: Working with Individuals and Groups (10 credits)
SS6037 Youth Work: Informal and Non-Formal Learning (5 credits)

Successful completion of the programme awards a Postgraduate Diploma in Youth Work, which is recognised by the North/South Education and Training Standards Committee for Youth Work (NSETS). Students will be sent a letter of accreditation by NSETS on successful completion of the programme.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2019/2020 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2019/2020.

Postgraduate Certificate in Youth Work*
Upon satisfactory completion of 30 credits, to include modules, SS6020, SS6022, SS6036, and SS6037, students may opt to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Youth Work. A student who subsequently applies to continue to Postgraduate Diploma must do so within 5 years of successful completion of the Certificate Examination.
*The postgraduate certificate is not professionally accredited.

Candidates must pass/progress within 2 academic years of the date of first registration for the programme.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Youth Work (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Apply an advanced and systematic knowledge of the principles of working in youth work, which is at the forefront of professional practice.
• Facilitate young people’s personal, social and educational development through individual and group work and through engagement with local and regional communities.
• Demonstrate a critical awareness of the historical development of youth work in community settings and current theory and scholarship in the field of youth policy and practice.
• Engage effectively in professional practice in the youth work sector, in an ethical and inclusive manner, which safeguards the health and welfare of young people, promotes equity and values diversity.
• Exercise practical leadership and strategic planning skills in devising creative responses to meeting the needs of young people and communities.
• Utilise the skills necessary for employment and demonstrate an ability to self-reflect on one’s professional development, including the exercise of initiative and self-direction and the design, planning and management of short- and long-term projects.
• Contribute to professional development and training within organisations and communities.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Youth Work (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)*
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Facilitate young people’s personal, social and educational development through individual and group work and through engagement with local and regional communities.
• Demonstrate a critical awareness of the historical development of youth work in community settings and current theory and scholarship in the field of youth policy and practice.
• Engage effectively in practice in the youth work sector, in an ethical and inclusive manner which safeguards the health and welfare of young people, promotes equity and values diversity.
• Exercise practical leadership and planning skills in devising creative responses to meeting the needs of young people and communities.
• Communicate information about youth work practice and youth research with specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Apply appropriate principles and ethical standards in working with children and young people, which is informed by a child- or youth-centred approach.

*The postgraduate certificate is not professionally accredited.