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BA (Hons) in Applied Youth Work — NSETS Endorsed

Course Duration
4 Years
Course Level
Level 8
Course Places
30 Places
Course Start Date
September 2023

Two great reasons to consider this course

  • NSETS Endorsed — All modules are designed with close consultation with the Youth Work sector to ensure relevance.
  • Students will gain practical industry experience through two work placements.

Course Summary

This 4-year level 8 BA (Hons) in Applied Youth Work at DkIT aims to facilitate, and shape, the learning of youth workers to help them to become reflective and critical practitioners. Students will be introduced to key concepts, practices, and policies in the field, bringing them from fledgling to competent practitioners.

Students on the programme will learn as part of a vibrant classroom environment, using learning and teaching methods that include lectures, tutorials, workshops, group discussions, presentations and both individual and group projects. Reflecting youth work practice, active participation forms part of the teaching and learning strategies that students are expected to engage in. All students will also have the opportunity to undertake two work placements, as part of their studies.

Youth Work is a rewarding profession, where practitioners work closely with young people between 10 – 25 years, in youth work settings.

Year 1

Semester 1

  • History and Development of Youth Work 
  • Youth Work as a Professional Discipline 
  • Community Development 1 
  • Sociology 1 
  • Research and Communication Skills 

Semester 2

  • Working with Young People
  • Youth Work Practice 1 
  • Workplace Communication Skills 
  • Essential Office Applications for Youth Work
  • Community Development 2  

Year 2

Semester 1

  • Youth Work Placement 1 

Semester 2

  • Community Project Management
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Youth Work Relationships
  • Development Studies 1
  • Sociology 2

Year 3

Semester 1

  • Youth Work Practice 2
  • Diversity, Equality and Social Justice
  • Social Entrepreneurship
  • Research and Communication Skills in Youth Work
  • Youth Justice

Semester 2

  • Youth Work Placement 2

Year 4

Semester 1

  • Research Project 1
  • Youth Work in a Digital Age
  • Conflict Transformation
  • Law and Policy of Youth Work
  • Ethical Practice

Semester 2

  • Research Project 2
  • Addiction in a Youth Work Context
  • Managing Youth Work
  • Youth Work as Agent of Change
  • Modern Youth Work

 

* All module titles are subject to change and are for indicative purposes only.  

Graduates of this programme will receive an NSETS endorsement. NSETS are the North South Education and Training Standards Committee for Youth Work, who are responsible for the professional endorsement of youth work courses on the island of Ireland.

Graduates of this programme will have a diverse range of career options available to them, including:

  • Youth Worker
  • Youth Support Worker
  • Garda Youth Diversion Project Worker
  • Course Co-ordinator
  • Outreach Worker
  • Youth Advocacy
  • School Completion Project Worker
  • Policy Advisory

Graduates may progress to postgraduate studies (both taught and research) either within the Institute (through the DCU/DkIT Graduate School) or externally in other HE organisations.

Graduates will be well placed to undertake further studies in areas such as child and family work, equality studies, social policy, gender studies, youth justice, and social justice, amongst others.

Please find information on fees and funding here: www.dkit.ie/fees 

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements:

Six Grades at O6 or H7 in Leaving Certificate

→ INCLUDING At least two H5 Grades
→ AND Mathematics Grade O6 or H7
→ AND English Grade O6 or H7 OR Irish Grade O6 or H7

→ Candidates must also pass an interview.


Northern Ireland/UK Entry Requirements:

Applicants must meet the matriculation requirement of 6 different subjects which must include:

→ Mathematics at GCSE (Grade A* - C) or better
→ English (or Irish) at GCSE (Grade A* - C) or better
→ Two subjects at either:

    • ‘A Level’ (Grade A* - C)
    • AND/OR Applied A-Level (Grade A* - C)
    • AND/OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma) (Grade Merit or Distinction).
    • AND/OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma) (Grade Merit or Distinction)
    • OR BTEC National Level 3 Diploma (Grade min: MM)
    • OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (Grade min: MM)
    • OR BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma (Grade min: MMP)

→ The remaining subjects must be different from that presented above and may be drawn from recognised subjects at:

    • GCSE (Grade A* - C)
    • AND/OR AS Level’ (Grades A - E)
    • AND/OR A-level’ (Grades A* - E)
    • AND/OR Applied ‘A-level’ (Grade A* - E)
    • AND/OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
    • AND/OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).

→ Candidates must also pass an interview.


Additional Requirements

Because of the nature of the placements on this course, applicants will be required to successfully pass Police/Garda vetting for all jurisdictions where the applicant was/is a resident.

Students on the course are subject to fitness to practise regulations and attendance requirements.

Work placement in this programme takes place during:

  • Year 2, Semester 1 
  • Year 3, Semester 2 

Breda Prunty (Programme Director)
Email: breda.prunty@dkit.ie

Course ID DK866
Course Type Undergraduate
Study Mode Full-Time
Level 8
Duration 4 Years
Starting Date September 2023
School School of Business & Humanities
Department Humanities
Awarding Body Dundalk Institute of Technology
Delivery Method On Campus

How To Apply

Apply on CAO

All standard entry first-year applicants must apply for entry through the CAO. See Important application dates for CAO and information for specific applicant types below:

CAO Code: DK866
Apply on CAO