Community & Youth Work - Full Time
Community Work is the development and empowerment of communities, through the active participation of people in addressing issues that affect them collectively; Youth Work is concerned with young people empowerment as agents of change in their own and their community’s lives through a process of informal and non-formal learning based on their voluntary participation and principles of equality and inclusiveness.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
3 years (full-time)
Erasmus/Study Abroad Option: Subject to availability. We encourage students to consider undertaking international fieldwork placements in years 2 or 3.
Placement Required: Fieldwork placements integral to programme
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate: 2H5 & 4O6/H7, Irish, English & 3rd language.
Restricted application course – apply to the CAO by February 1st.
Application procedure for all applicants to MH116
As this is a restricted-application course on the CAO, all applicants to MH116 will be requested to submit a personal statement outlining their reasons for wanting to do this course (in no more than 350 words), submit two written references and information on work experience. Applicants will also be invited to undertake a written assessment in March. Applicants who have a disability and who may require exam supports should refer to page 207 of the Undergraduate Prospectus 2024.
Shortlisted applicants are invited to an individual and a group interview in April. All applicants must have relevant and verifiable experience in youth work and/or community work or equality work or relevant social activism.
Note 1: 50% of places are reserved for appropriately experienced mature students.
Note 2: Any offer of a place on this programme is subject to a satisfactory background check by the National Vetting Bureau. More information for Mature Applicants on page 208 of the Undergraduate Prospectus 2024.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
In general, students must be 17 years or older by 15th January in the year after entry to the University. If you are younger, you must make a special application to the University’s President.
All Leaving Certificate subjects carry equal points with the exception of *Mathematics (details below). Points are awarded for your six best subjects in any one year. These do not have to include subjects needed to meet general minimum entry requirements. Minimum entry requirements and course requirements may be satisfied by an accumulation of subjects over more than one year. As well as achieving the required points, you must have a minimum of six subjects in your Leaving Certificate, with two Higher Level papers at grade H5 and four Ordinary or Higher Level papers at grade O6/H7.
The requirements for each course are shown above.
* 25 bonus points will be added to the points score for a Leaving Certificate Higher Level Mathematics grade H6 or higher.
The bonus points are included in the overall points calculation only when Mathematics is one of the applicant’s best six subjects following the addition of the bonus.
Foundation level Mathematics is accepted for matriculation (i.e. can be counted as one of the six subjects required - grade F6 or higher), but does not meet the requirement for degrees where Mathematics is a special programme requirement. Points are not awarded for this subject.
Foundation level Irish is not accepted for matriculation. Points are not awarded for this subject.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Points are awarded as follows:
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Applicants can use their points allocation for the Link Modules as one of their best six subjects for the purpose of calculating points, but the Link Modules do not qualify as a subject for minimum entry requirement purposes.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Click on the 'QQI FET Applicants Information link' below for specific course entry requirements.
QQI FET General Information Link
Careers / Further progression
Options after graduation?
Both the Bachelor and Master of Social Science Community and Youth Work are endorsed as professional qualifications in youth work by NSETS (nsets.ie) and community work by AIEB (aieb. ie). Graduates are equipped to take up professional employment in a range of community and youth work organisations and agencies – community development projects, local, urban and rural development groups, environmental justice groups, community youth projects, neighbourhood youth projects and local youth services, as well as organisations concerned with particular groups (e.g. women, Travellers, new communities) or issues (e.g. global citizenship education, Human Rights unemployment, migrant rights, drugs, poverty). BSocSc CYW graduates are to the forefront of social change organisations across the country and internationally.
Postgraduate study options in the Department include the MSocSc (Rights and Social Policy) and the MSocSc (Social Work).
Further information
Maynooth University greatly values the particular contribution of mature students to the academic and social environment of the University. A mature student is 23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. For part-time degrees the mature age is 21. There is no upper age limit; we currently have students who range in age from 23 to over 70. Up to 200 mature students begin their studies here each year. Many of our mature entrants undertake preparatory studies in advance of gaining admission.
The Mature Student Office is committed to supporting the learning experience of our mature students. A certain number of places are reserved for mature students on all undergraduate courses. We offer a range of supports for mature students including an advisory service, tailored information sessions during Orientation/Welcome Week, academic advisors, the Student Budgeting Advice Service and a technology skills programme. There is also a Mature Student Society on campus providing a continuation of peer support, both academic and social, to incoming mature students.
See the Mature Student handbook for detailed information about applying as a mature student. Call, email or drop in to meet us in MAP Lodge on the North Campus or to request a mature student information pack. If the opportunity to return to education has presented itself to you, we hope you’ll choose Maynooth University.
Emer Sheerin, Mature Student Officer
+ 353 1 708 3307
emer.sheerin@mu.ie
2023: 25-30
Entry 2024 - Restricted Course
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid submitting an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all fees are non-refundable.
Restricted Courses
Applying for a restricted course – you must have applied to CAO by 1 February 2024 at 5pm if you wish to apply for a restricted course. The restricted course must be included on your course choices list by that date, or added to your application using the facility to amend course choices (for a fee of €10) before 1 March at 5pm.
Restricted courses normally require additional assessment procedures, for example, the submission of a portfolio, an oral assessment or interview, or a written assessment. Restricted courses are identified in the handbook by the words “(Restricted - see page 3)" on the same line as the restricted course’s title. Please make sure to acquaint yourself with the additional requirements, if any, of the restricted course(s) that you have applied for and go to page 24 of the 2024 CAO Handbook for more information about interviews and assessments.
Exception: If a restricted course shares the exact same assessment procedures with a course you had applied for by 1 February 2024, you may be permitted to introduce it on a Change of Mind. You should consult with the relevant HEI before introducing such a course.
Mature Applicants
Mature applicants – most HEIs will require mature applicants, who wish to be assessed on mature grounds, to have applied to CAO by 1st February 2024 at 5pm, and include course choices by that date or add them using the facility to amend course choices (for a fee of €10) before 1 March at 5pm. (This restriction does not apply if the applicant wishes to be considered on the basis of school leaving qualifications only.) For more information about applying to CAO on the basis of mature years go to www.cao.ie/mature
Supplementary Admission Routes
Applying for DARE and/or HEAR – to be considered for DARE and/or HEAR, applicants must have registered on the CAO system by 1 February 2024 at 5pm. To apply to DARE, you must answer YES to Question 1 ('Do you wish to be considered for DARE?) on Section A of the fully completed Supplementary Information Form (SIF) by 5pm on 1 March 2024.
To apply to HEAR, you must indicate on your CAO application that you wish to apply for HEAR and fully and correctly complete all elements of the online HEAR form by 5pm on 1 March 2024.
Supporting documents for DARE and/or HEAR applicants must be sent to CAO offices before 15 March 2024 at 5pm
>Full-time, level 8 honours degree in Community and Youth Work - 14 weeks of full-time supervised fieldwork in each year of the degree; remainder of year full-time on campus. Classes run from early September to late May each year.
>A range of topics relating to community and youth work are studied in all three years of the programme. Supervised fieldwork in both community work and youth work is essential for all students.
>Professional education and training that engages learners as active participants.
Why choose this degree?
>You are passionate about and committed to social and environmental justice and want to work in solidarity with those affected by human rights denial, poverty and inequality.
>You will learn in small groups with, alongside and from and others committed to making the world a better place.
>You will be taught by highly experienced, committed and passionate staff team who will challenge and support you to reach your potential as a professionally qualified youth worker and community worker.
>The Department of Applied Social Studies (DAPPSS) is the leading and most experienced provider of professional education and training in youth work and community work in the Republic of Ireland.
>This degree programme integrates theoretical education and immersive practice experience, creating a unique and transformative learning environment.
Course structure
The MH116 degree combines on-campus study of a range of topics relevant to community and youth work with off-campus supervised fieldwork practice. Supervised fieldwork in both community work and youth work is essential for all student
Full-time, level 8 honours degree in Community and Youth Work - 14 weeks of full-time supervised fieldwork in each year of the degree; remainder of year full-time on campus
Possible topics
1st year
Community and Youth Work Principles and Practices
Introduction to Social Sciences
Youth and Community Arts
Practice Skills Development
Fieldwork Practice
2nd year
Community and Youth Work Issues and Policies
Professional Studies
Applied Social Sciences
Practice Skills Development
Fieldwork Practice
Final year
Research for Practice
Social Science Context of Practice
Critical Issues in Practice
Professional Development
Fieldwork Practice
Contact us
Maynooth University Department of Applied Social Studies,
Laraghbryan House
+ 353 1 708 3743 / + 353 1 708 4574
cywrecruitment@mu.ie
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/applied-social-studies
Twitter/X: @MUAppSocSc