Youth Work (JNC) (Fast Track)

NTU has a national reputation as a leading institution for teaching and research in relation to working with young people. BA (Hons) Youth Work is for students wishing to work with young people, and is professionally endorsed by the national Youth Agency. The course combines full-time academic study with placements and a practice pathway for JNC qualification, which is the recognised entry route for professional Youth Work. The study of youth has wide application within the field of education, social work, politics and psychology, which generates insights, research and theoretical knowledge of what it means to be young.

Why choose an accelerated degree course?

Are you a practitioner in the youth sector, who wants to draw upon your skills and experience to gain a degree with a professionally endorsed qualification?  Do you have the drive and commitment to study? Do you want to save money and graduate sooner? Then why not consider this two-year accelerated degree?

The accelerated BA (hons) Youth Work degree condenses our traditional BA (hons) Youth Work three-year undergraduate degree course into two years. You will still study the same content, benefit from our facilities and sector based connections. However, unlike a traditional three-year degree, you will graduate in two years with the same degree.

Benefits of an accelerated degree

• You will save a year's tuition fees and living costs.
• Gain the same degree qualification sooner; you'll just work smarter for it.
• Employers value the drive and focus to achieve an accelerated degree.
• You can complete an accelerated degree and a master's degree in just three years.

You can find out more about two year fast track / accelerated degree courses here.

Why choose this course?

NTU has a national reputation as a leading institution for teaching and research in relation to working with young people. BA (Hons) Youth Work is for students wishing to work with young people, and is professionally endorsed by the national Youth Agency. The course combines full-time academic study with practice-based placements to achieve a JNC endorsed qualification, which is the recognised entry route for professional Youth Work. The study of Youth has a wide application within the field of education, social work, politics and psychology, which generates insights, research and theoretical knowledge of what it means to be young.

This course will explore the most significant social, cultural and economic changes that affect the lives of young people today. Key themes include skills for practice, perspectives of youth, social inclusion and social policy, youth rights, ethics and safeguarding. The curriculum, including professional practice, is mapped against the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Youth and Community Work and the National Occupational Standards for Youth Work.

The course benefits from a diverse range of students on the programme. We welcome and support students from a range of educational background and those who have worked in practice and are now returning to study

A sustained placement of 800 hours across the 2 years is required to complete this course and achieve the JNC Youth Work professional endorsement.

This course is approved and endorsed by the National Youth Agency.

• Year One
• Year Two

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be prepared with skills for practical application and research experience for working with young people. Students will also be able to apply for further study at Masters Level. For example: MA Youth Work Leadership and Practice: MA Social Work or MA Career Development and a wider variety of other courses.

On the professionally endorsed pathway, students will have the skills, knowledge and experience to be qualified Youth Work practitioners.

Excellent work experience opportunities

Whether you choose to undertake the professionally endorsed pathway, or the youth development pathway, work experience is a valued feature of this degree. The course team work closely with local youth based organisations and NTU's Employability team to make you aware of the significant number of voluntary and sessional paid opportunities that are available.

To achieve the requirements of the professionally endorsed pathway you will need to complete 800 hours of practice-based learning in an approved placement.  This could be either a volunteering based placement or paid employment.

Our Employability team

We have a dedicated Employability team located on the City Campus. The team can give you specialist guidance and practical help that will support you during the course and really make a difference to your prospects once you do graduate.

You can apply through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.

Application advice

Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Writing your personal statement

Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.