Youth Work & Community Development (MA)

About the Course

Youth Work and Community Development is a unique and value-based practice that seeks to support and foster the development of young people and the wider community to enable all to reach their full potential. Underpinned by strong values of social justice Youth and Community Development Workers seek to critically analyse the social world and nurture the development of others through collaborative and creative practice leading to social change.

The MA Youth Work and Community Development is dual validated with the NYA for Youth Work and The Endorsement and Quality Standards Board for Community Development Learning (ESB) for community development. Students will gain the full JNC Qualification.  The main aim of the MA in Youth and Community Development is to develop skilled, innovative and reflective practitioners, who are able to engage and develop positive relationships within communities, which lead to education and discovery. Through practice workers will demonstrate a clear commitment to promoting social justice, utilising approaches to participation, empowerment and equality. Working alongside communities, in partnership with them practitioners foster the personal, social and political development of those involved.

This new MA Youth Work and Community Development programme has been designed in partnership with young people and leading professionals employed in the field. This collaboration ensures teaching is current and reflective of today’s youth and community development agenda preparing you effectively for a successful career.

Why choose Liverpool Hope?

- Study within a school committed to innovative and participatory teaching methods

- An experienced and research-active teaching team with expertise in youth work and community development, participatory practice, childhood and youth studies, anti-oppressive practice, mental health, youth justice and radical community work

- Opportunities to experience international perspectives through the School of Social Science field trips and overseas placements

- This course has an intake limited to 25 students providing an encouraging environment to build positive peer group support and an opportunity to work closely with teaching staff

Curriculum Overview

This course is delivered through a full-time (16 months) or part time (27 months) route and will provide you with a blend of academic and practice-based learning to develop both your theoretical understanding and experience.  Through two professional practice placements, students will build a solid foundation in youth and community development practice. Through an exploration of the theoretical frameworks of informal education and community development, along with advanced studies examining key youth and community development principles, practice methods, settings, contemporary issues and social policy.

- Youth Work Theory and Practice (20 Credits)

- Practice Placement 1: Linked to Youth Work Theory and Practice

- Community Empowerment for Social Change (20 Credits)

- Critical Themes and Issues Influencing Contemporary Practice (20 Credits)

- Managing Youth and Community Development (20 Credits)

- Dissertation Preparation and Research Methods (20 Credits)

- Youth and Community Development Practice Placements Two (20 Credits)

- MA Dissertation (60 Credits)

Practice placements: Students are required to successfully complete two practice placements during the programme, completing 450 hours in practice with young people and adult community members. The first placement takes place in January and is a part-time placement in a local youth and community development agency. The second placement runs between June and September, with students working full-time hours to support both face to face and managerial responsibilities within a local setting. 

Entry Requirements

A minimum of a second class honours degree in a relevant discipline awarded by a UK university, or an equivalent higher education qualification.

GCSE English grade C (Grade 4 or above in the 2017 and onwards grading system), or an equivalent English qualification. 

Offers will be subject to a Health Check Statement and an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (formally the Criminal Records Bureau – CRB). Unfortunately, due to requirements of the placement providers we are unable to consider any applicants with convictions within 5 years of the start of the course. 

International Entry Requirements

Possess a degree from an overseas institution that is judged by the Registrar or Nominee to be equivalent to a second class honours degree from a UK University.

For students whose first language is not English there is a language requirement of IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum of all components. In addition to this, we also accept a wide range of International Qualifications, for more information please visit our English Language Requirements page.

For additional information about country specific entry requirements visit the your country pages. 

*Part time study is not available for Non-EU International applicants

Teaching and Research

Students will experience a range of teaching methods, including lectures, small group seminars and tutorials, which enable discussion and shared learning. Through the course students will benefit from working with young people, community members and professionals in the field who contribute to the taught programme and offer current and relevant experience to aid student learning.

The School of Social Science is research active, contributing regularly to the published research community and at conference, with expertise across youth and community development spheres. The ethos of the school is focused on radical perspectives and promotes critical questioning of the social world leading to social justice with students encouraged to develop skills in critical analysis to understand inequality and oppression.

The school utilises a range of online resources to support students learning including a virtual learning environment Moodle encouraging connectivity between students and the programme content.

UK/Channel Island Tuition Fees

2025/26

Tuition fees for Home students are £7,750

Funding

We offer a number of scholarships and loans to help fund your postgraduate studies. Visit our scholarships pages for more details.

EU/Non EU International Tuition Fees

2025/26

Tuition fees for EU/Non-EU International students for 2025/26 are £15,250

Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.

Careers

Youth Work and Community Development is a diverse practice, which subsequently provides a variety of career opportunities. This dedicated practice is focused on supporting both young people and adults within the community and can include working within education, health and community or welfare services. Youth Work and Community Development Workers are employed within a range of organisations including voluntary and community associations, local authorities, schools, social work teams and within youth offending services.