Community and Youth Work

Durham University has a long and creditable record in teaching Community and Youth Work and has been at the forefront of the development of theory and practice in this field. Programme staff are active in international and national research and publication, and at the same time maintain influential links with the field of policy-making and professional practice.

Community and Youth Work via informal and social education enables people to become more active participants in the decisions affecting their lives.  It involves working towards personal and social change by breaking down barriers to participation in society, particularly discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, class, disability, age, sexual orientation or religion.

We offer:

• a professionally-qualifying Masters programme in Community and Youth Work;
• a range of short courses for continuing professional development;
• a flexible Postgraduate Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma/MA Managing Community Practice for those wishing to develop their career and practice;
• research degrees;
• New for 2009/10: We now offer in collaboration with the Foundation Centre a bridging programme for students who do not have the necessary entrance qualifications for the MA Community and Youth Work to develop their skills. Successful completion of this programme prepares students to a standard appropriate to apply for admission to the MA Community and Youth Work or MA Managing Community Practice.

Information on all courses in Community and Youth Work

Why study Community and Youth Work at Durham University?

Internationally-recognised expertise:

Durham University offers a thriving centre for professional development in Community and Youth Work that is nationally and internationally recognised for the quality of its teaching and research.

Multi-disciplinary connections:

Outstanding professional development opportunities are on offer for the full range of related professions working with children, young people, their families and surrounding communities. By working alongside Social Work, Social Policy, Criminology and Sport in the School of Applied Social Sciences, teaching is informed by research from a diverse range of related academic disciplines. Past students have come from and progressed into a wide variety of roles, including working as Youth Service Managers, Youth Offending Team Officers, Community Development Workers, Teenage Pregnancy Workers, Connexions Advisors, Children’s Services Managers, Youth Policy Advisors and Voluntary Sector Managers. As a result, students have particularly valued the excellent opportunities provided by our programmes for developing and exchanging learning across these related professional settings.

Research-based practice development:

In a changing policy context, with increased attention on continuing professional development and integrated service provision, Durham University’s programmes offer an ideal way to reflect on developing theory and practice against a critical backdrop of longstanding professional value commitments. Lectures and seminars enable you to access the latest research findings and explore the implications for your own practice. Programmes also include optional opportunities to specialise in sport or faith-related work, and/or to undertake your own research into your own context.

Supporting your career development:

Many of our previous students have found that a postgraduate qualification from Durham University has enhanced their careers, helping them to get promotions or move into new fields with confidence and improved skills.