Youth Work: University of Southampton

Course Description

The Foundation Degree Arts (FdA),Youth Work, is an innovative programme that aims to further students learning and career development within a formal or informal youth work setting. This programme will enable you to develop your practice within a Higher Education framework and to gain an HE award and a nationally recognised qualification in Youth Work which is accredited by the National Youth Agency.

This Foundation Degree aims to provide progression from NVQ level 3 or its equivalents. It also provides you with an opportunity to progress to Honours Degree level, if you successfully complete the Foundation Degree.

• You will study a range of course units, exploring young people’s development and the practice of working with young people in contemporary Britain.
• Part one concentrates on face-to-face practice and includes work on equalities, group work and developing young people’s learning.
• Part two provides you with the knowledge and understanding that underpin high-quality youth work and its management, including working with other agencies.
• Taught units are extended through work-based learning, which is supervised by an experienced professional.
• In your final year you will undertake a work-based project, providing you with experience of research skills and evidence-led practice.

Course content

• Equality, fair treatment and anti-discriminatory practice
• Young people’s learning and informal education
• Adolescent development
• Working in and with groups
• Policy influencing young people’s lives
• Legal and cultural contexts for working with young people
• Inter-agency working
• Managing people and resources
• Creating and assuring quality youth work
• Work-based project

Entry requirements

• Applicants will normally be employed for a minimum of eight hours per week in a setting working with young people, and have completed or be near to completing a basic qualification (eg local youth work qualification) equivalent to NVQ 2/3.
• You will need the support of your employer, who will be expected to provide supervision of your work-based learning. Applicants will demonstrate readiness for undertaking the course and studying at HE level.
• Intake: 20
• Selection process: Applications are made directly to the University; enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure may be required (if a placement is needed outside the individual’s place of work)

Main University Contact

• Postal Address: University of Southampton
  University Road
  Southampton
  SO17 1BJ
• Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 5000
• Fax: +44 (0)23 8059 3131
• Email: admissns@soton.ac.uk
• Website: http://www.soton.ac.uk