MA Child, Youth and Community

The MA/PDip in Child, Youth and Community is designed for professionals already working in or for those who have a strong interest to work in the community, voluntary or public sector. It was developed by the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre at the School of Political Science and Sociology. This programme emerges from the Centre's core disciplinary orientation, Applied Social Science, and its dynamic research programme focused on what works in the real world of policy and practice when working with and for children, youth and their communities.
The objectives of the programme are to:
Equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills in programme planning, implementation, monitoring and research evaluation, Develop students capacity to design and deliver human rights based and culturally sensitive programmes and services,
Support students to critically explore new lines of research and the use of research evidence in practice,
Enable students to develop their capacity as leaders in this field, Enhance students skills in communication and innovative thinking,
Provide professional experience and networking opportunities for students.
Career Opportunities
The programme is designed for professionals already working in the community, voluntary or allied sectors and for those who have a specific expertise in, or understanding of the lives of children and youth and communities, and who wish to acquire a specialised Level 9 qualification which will add value to their existing qualifications and enable them progress to leadership roles within their careers.
The MA provides students with the opportunity to develop skills-sets that are in high demand. It is designed to respond to the needs of a funding dependent sector and meet the growing national and international donor requirement, to comply with rights-based approaches and provide scientific, robust evidence to measure the impact of social interventions.

Applicants will require a NQAI Level 8 degree, Second Class Honours, or equivalent, with a 2:1 in child, youth and family studies, sociology, psychology or a cognate discipline. Where applicants do not meet the formal academic requirements they can apply for entry through the University’s Recognition for Prior Learning Policy.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applicants who do not have the required academic qualifications for entry purposes may also be entitled to apply under the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.

English Language Requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, no less than 5.5 in any one component; Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE): 176 overall; Cambridge C2 Advanced (CPE): 180 overall; TOEFL: 88 overall (7 Listening, 16 Speaking, 18 Writing, 8 Reading); Pearson PTE: 61 overall, no less than 48 in any one component.