Youth Work University College Cork

Overview

Youth work encompasses a broad and diverse range of social, cultural, educational and political activities, which are based on young people’s voluntary participation in leisure time activities that emphasise social inclusion and support civic engagement. 

Key facts

• The Youth Work course at  University College Cork  prepares students for exciting, meaningful, and challenging careers in youth work and related organisations that aim to promote young people’s wellbeing and to empower young people as active, critical citizens who can contribute to positive social change at local, national, and global levels. 
• This is a professionally accredited course that provides practice-based training to aspiring professional youth workers and continuing professional development for existing youth workers (who do not already hold a JNC-recognised qualification). The course may be undertaken on a full-time basis only.
• On this programme you are encouraged to engage in high-level professional education through academic study and work placements, ensuring that the skills you develop will be at the forefront of professional youth work practice. Through participation in the programme, our students develop skills in critical policy analysis, youth advocacy, policy advocacy, ethical engagement with young people, individual and group work facilitation, informal and non-formal education, and reflective practice.
• Our graduates find employment in youth work and youth justice organisations, in the public sector, in the voluntary/community sector, in local authorities, and in community-based organisations where expanding youth participation is a priority.
• Our graduates have developed careers in youth work across the world, with former students making an impact on young people in the USA, Australia and the UK. Many graduates have gained employment with Irish Youth Organisations such as Youth Work Ireland, Foroige, the Education Authority of Northern Ireland’s Youth Service and the YMCA. Many of them have led youth groups on international exchanges.
• Some of our graduates have moved into related occupations such as school completion projects, youth justice projects, organisations for the homeless, support for asylum seekers and refugees, family support organisations, and youth arts organisations. Our graduates have also become youth work managers and youth sector representatives on national bodies.