Work with Young People (Full-time) (BA Hons)
The Work with Young People degree at UWTSD is designed for those who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people. This course focuses on the complex and ever-changing challenges faced by young people today, viewed through a social-science lens. You will explore how young people navigate the often-difficult transition into adulthood, a period that can bring both opportunities and obstacles.
Throughout the course, you will engage with a wide range of contemporary challenges affecting young people. These include Adverse Childhood Experiences, substance misuse, and issues like County Lines, where vulnerable individuals may be exploited by criminal networks. The course also covers important topics such as Trauma, Children’s Rights, and the overall health and well-being of young people, helping you to understand and address their needs.
At the heart of this degree is the understanding that young people not only face challenges but also have immense potential. By studying this course, you will learn how to support young people as they develop and explore new opportunities during this key stage of life. The programme links theory, policy, and practice, ensuring you gain a thorough understanding of the real-world applications of your studies.
This degree equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to work with families and vulnerable groupsin a variety of settings. You will delve into topics such as mental health and trauma-informed care, and you’ll gain insights into safeguarding and protection measures to keep young people safe. You’ll also explore legislation and policies that shape the support systems for young people.
A major component of this course is the second-year placement module, where you will gain practical experience and develop therapeutic communication skills. This hands-on learning will prepare you to work directly with young people, helping them navigate their own challenges. You will also explore multi-agency work, ensuring that you can collaborate effectively with professionals from different sectors.
By the end of the course, you will be prepared for a wide range of careers in community and family support, youth programmes, and roles that involve supporting young people. You will be ready to apply your knowledge of theory, policy, and practice to real-world situations, making a meaningful impact on the lives of the young people you work with. This degree opens up exciting pathways, allowing you to work with some of society’s most important and inspiring individuals.
Please note that the ‘Work with Young People (BA)’ degree does not offer a professional qualification in youth work.
Upon completion of ‘Work with Young People (BA)’, graduates can enrol on the Postgraduate Diploma ‘Youth Work and Social Education (ETS Endorsed)’ which offers a JNC recognised qualification in Youth Work.
Our undergraduate degree, Youth Work and Social Education (BA) (ETS Endorsed) offers a professional qualification in Youth Work.
Course details
- On-campus
- Full-time
- English
- Welsh
- Bilingual
Undergraduate Fees
Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £15,525 per year
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our Work with Young People BA (Hons) programme will prepare you to work effectively with young people, communities, and families. You will develop the skills and knowledge to address the needs of young people in the 21st century. Through a social science lens, the course explores youth work in an applied way, with a strong focus on social justice and anti-oppressive practice.
Students will learn to engage with young people on a range of pressing issues relevant to today’s society, such as:
- Child Sexual Exploitation
- Adverse Childhood Experiences
- Homelessness
- Substance Misuse
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health
- Poverty and Obesity
These topics are examined through current research and best practice, ensuring graduates are highly skilled, reflective practitioners in their fields. The programme is fully aligned with the Welsh Government’s goal to enhance support for vulnerable and marginalised young people, helping to improve their outcomes (WG, 2019).
In the first year, you will build a foundation in understanding young people and the contexts they live in. Modules such as Professional Practice: Principles and Contexts of Work with Young People and Understanding Adolescence introduce you to the challenges young people face today. You’ll explore key themes such as advocacy, empowerment, and rights in the Young People and Society 1 module, while Counselling Skills, Mindfulness and Therapeutic Practice equips you with essential communication tools. The year concludes with Working with Young People, Communities and Families, ensuring you understand the broader context of youth work.
Compulsory
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 Credits)
In your second year, you will deepen your practical and theoretical knowledge. Social Research for Professional Practice introduces research methods, while Supervision, Leadership and Management for Professionals develops your leadership skills. The course addresses mental health and Adverse Childhood Experiences in Young People and Society 2, while the Focused Practice module provides hands-on learning in real-world settings. You will also explore how young people can influence societal change through the module, No one is too small to make a difference.
Compulsory
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(40 Credits)
The final year focuses on preparing you for your future career. The Skills for Life: Employability and Future Pathways module supports your transition into the workplace, while Young People and Society 3 focuses on complex issues like trauma, exploitation, and toxic childhood. You’ll also explore well-being and resiliencein young people, equipping you with tools to help them thrive. The year concludes with a Dissertation, where you’ll conduct independent research on a topic of your choice, helping you specialise in an area that interests you.
Compulsory
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(40 credits)
Course Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
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Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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All applicants will be required to provide a satisfactory enhanced disclosure Child and Adult Workforce document from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
80 UCAS Tariff Points
e.g. A-levels: BB, BTEC: DMM, IB: 28
The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a  for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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GCSE grade A*-C (grade 9-4 in England) in English and Mathematics is also required. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Alternative entry routes 
If this course interests you, but you don’t have the entry requirements to join our bachelor’s degree you could consider: 
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‘with Foundation Year’. This route is designed to give you extra support as it provides you with an additional year (full-time) of supported study. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main degree. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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Certificate in Higher Education (CertHE). This is a one-year course and is equivalent to the first year of the three year, full-time bachelor’s degree. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
 Once you have successfully completed your CertHE studies, you will be eligible to progress for the remaining two years of the bachelor’s degree. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
These are ideal routes if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Admissions Advice and Support 
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, such as your background, experiences and individual circumstances. This is known as ‘Contextual Admissions’. For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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Assessments are designed to reflect the requirements of the field of work with young people, and develop wide-ranging employability skills in students. There are no exams.
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Mandatory:
DBS Costs.Necessarily incurred:
Travel costs to and from placement (one placement in the second year).Optional:
Students who decide to take the opportunity to study abroad for one semester at Level 5 will incur additional costs.Potential residential activity at Level 6 may incur additional costs.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries section.
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There is also an opportunity for students to study abroad as part of their studies in the second year, in Finland or British Columbia.
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There are a range of career and employability opportunities for graduates of this degree within a rapidly expanding field. These include:
- Youth Support in Local Authority projects as well as within voluntary organisations and charitable organisations
- Work with organisations focussing on specific issues including substance misuse, youth homelessness and young adult carers
- Youth Justice
- Young People’s Peer Mentor
- Young Person Support Worker
- Advocate for Young People
- Community Engagement
- Family Support for young people with disabilities
- Graduates can also engage in further Postgraduate study -
including UWTSD’s PG Diploma/MA Youth Work and Social Education (ETS Endorsed) -
This offers a professional qualification in Youth Work, to enable graduates to be employed as Youth Workers in a range of settings.