BA (Hons) Community Development and Youth Work (Professionally Endorsed) (Youth Worker Integrated Degree Apprenticeship)
Course Overview
Our professionally endorsed BA (Hons) Community Development and Youth Work (Youth Worker Degree Apprenticeship) is designed to support the development of confident, highly competent, compassionate and professional youth workers. It’s recognised by the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) and offers dual professional endorsement from the National Youth Agency (NYA) and Endorsement and Quality Standards Board for Community Development Learning (ESB).Through this apprenticeship, you can offer structured on-the-job training and a nationally recognised professional qualification in youth work, helping you attract the best new talent and retain valued staff through professional career development. Integrating academic study and work-based learning into the normal working week will allow your apprentices to practice their new skills and apply their understanding to their work with young people, immediately benefitting your organisation and the communities you serve.
This programme is fully mapped to the Level 6 Youth Worker degree apprenticeship standard (ST0522), and studies at the University will complement learning in your workplace. We'll work with you to devise individual learning agreements for each of your apprentices, ensuring they fulfil the apprenticeship criteria and develop additional skills, knowledge and behaviours valuable to your organisation.
We'll focus on the core values of youth work so that your apprentice understands the purpose of enabling young people to develop holistically and can facilitate young people's personal, social and educational development. Our passionate and knowledgeable staff will support them in developing a sound knowledge of youth work theory, models and approaches, provision and interventions, legislation and policy and how these underpin professional decision-making.
We create an experiential learning environment that enables apprentices to reflect on their practice, ethics and values as we explore contemporary issues that impact young people today. By combining academic study at university with work-based learning, your apprentices will quickly have the opportunity to apply skills, knowledge and behaviours in the workplace, thereby developing excellent practice competencies.
When they successfully complete this qualification, your apprentices will be able to confidently use a rights-based approach to develop person-centred relationships with young people. As qualified youth workers, they will be able to use informal education approaches to facilitate the development of young people and have the skills to promote the interest of young people and advocate on their behalf. Overall, as a graduate, they will have the professional expertise to help young people to develop their voice, influence and place in society, and reach their individual and collective potential.
If you're looking for undergraduate-level training in this subject area but don't work for an employer that offers apprenticeships, please see our related courses section for details of study opportunities that don't require current employment.
Highlights
- The University of Bolton's BA (Hons) Community Development and Youth Work (Youth Worker Degree Apprenticeship) is professionally recognised by the Joint Negotiating Committee for Youth Work (JNC), as validated by the National Youth Agency (NYA) Education and Training Standards Committee. When they successfully complete this programme, your apprentices will be eligible for qualified youth worker status.
- Our expert academic tutors are experienced community development and youth work professionals who offer face-to-face sessions, one-to-one support and extensive feed-forward that supports professional development.
- We'll guide your apprentices as they gain key skills, values and behaviours, including sociological imagination and professional curiosity, interpersonal and communication skills, initiative and leadership, research and critical reflection, partnership working and workload management, self-care and resilience, to name a few.
- Work-based projects feature in the programme at every level. During the final stage of the course, your apprentice will undertake a substantial work-based action research project, the nature of which will be identified and developed through consultation between your organisation, the apprentice and the University. As well as offering your apprentice valuable experience, this live project can give you a genuine insight into potential opportunities or improvements that can benefit your organisation.
- Studying this programme supports your apprentice in exploring the fascinating world of working with young people. It combines excellent academic teaching with practical youth work experience to equip them with the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to succeed in this dynamic environment.
Key Features
- Our highly experienced programme team includes youth and community practitioners, managers and academics who will offer both academic and practice-based learning to support the professional development of your apprentices, leading them to success. Individual staff members are members of the NYA Steering Group, TAG professional association of lecturers in youth and community work, and active Trustees for local youth and community organisations (correct at May 2023).
- The programme and curriculum have been designed in consultation with youth and community employers, practitioners, academics and students to ensure its fitness for practice. Course materials are available online, allowing your apprentices to prepare work in advance and make the most of the highly interactive in-class tuition.
- Our approach to teaching and learning is student-centred, so we'll work with your apprentices on an individual basis, providing tailored help and support throughout their studies and work-based learning.
- The relationship between teaching and practice provides the essential learning apprentices need to develop as knowledgeable and skilled practitioners able to perform professionally and ethically in their work with young people and communities.
- Youth work can be very demanding and carries a lot of responsibility, so we'll support your apprentices in learning strategies and techniques to help them build their professional and emotional resilience and successfully manage the situations they face.
- Quarterly and annual reviews, where each apprentice, their workplace mentor and a member of our team meet to assess your apprentice's progress, promote continuing conversation between your workplace and the University. This helps to ensure the success of your apprentices and maximise the value of their studies to your organisation.
Entry Requirements
- 96 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T-levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
- Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3.
- Applicants must have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English and Mathematics. If an applicant has yet to achieve appropriate Level 2 English and Mathematics qualifications, then with their employer's support, they can complete suitable equivalents locally or with assistance from the University before commencing the apprenticeship. Please contact apprentices@bolton.ac.uk for a list of acceptable GCSE equivalents, further information and support.
- While GCSEs in English and Mathematics at grade 4/C (or equivalent) are required for all applicants, we’re flexible around the other Level 2 and 3 entry requirements. We're happy to consider applicants with non-traditional entry qualifications provided they can demonstrate relevant experience or a suitable portfolio of work that is deemed a reasonable substitute for the qualifications we typically accept.
- Applicants will attend a joint discussion with their employer and the University of Bolton. This combined interview and onboarding discussion fosters trust and sets the tone of the relationship between the applicant, their employer and our tutors. As part of the interview, applicants may be asked to undertake additional assessment(s) or provide a portfolio of appropriate work to determine their suitability for the course.
- This course involves regulated activity so applicants must gain an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting their studies. Charges are payable to cover the cost of the DBS Enhanced Disclosure application and annual registration with the online Update Service. Please note that the DBS must have been completed within three years of the course start date.
- Admission to this programme is only available to applicants who meet ESFA eligibility criteria, including the following: 1) They are employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a role relevant to the apprenticeship. 2) They have valid residency status and the right to work in England and can provide a valid BRP card (valid beyond the end date of the programme including End-Point Assessment (EPA)), and a ‘Right to Work’ share code for validation. 3) Their employer is willing to sponsor them to spend a minimum of six hours per week of their time in off-the-job training, including attending the University (times and dates to be determined) for the duration of their course. Please note that an apprentice cannot be self-employed. ESFA eligibility criteria may change so please contact apprentices@bolton.ac.uk for up-to-date information.
- If English isn’t the applicant's first language, they will also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
- Please note that this course is subject to the University of Bolton's Fitness to Practise procedure.
- To be eligible for tuition fee funding through the Apprenticeship Levy, applicants should not have already completed a qualification at the same level as the proposed apprenticeship (Degree Level 6) unless that qualification was gained in a completely unrelated discipline.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
The BA (Hons) Community Development and Youth Work (Youth Worker Degree Apprenticeship) is designed to meet the integrated degree apprenticeship standard for Youth Workers (ST0522). Developed by employers, the standard underpins a highly relevant qualification and professional development pathway that educates youth workers to actively engage young people in making sense of the issues that affect their lives, work towards improvement and respond to problems and needs through empowerment and active participation. Graduates of this apprenticeship will be eligible for qualified youth worker status.
Many professionals work with young people, but youth work is unique in its voluntary relationship with young people – young people choose to engage with the youth work professional. This dynamic sector needs youth workers with flexible, transversal and adaptive knowledge, skills and attitudes who can support all young people, including those facing challenges such as social disadvantage, family difficulties, housing and homelessness, loneliness and exclusion, addiction, health and wellbeing issues. We'll help your apprentices learn how to build connections and trust with young individuals to help these young people build resilience and character and the confidence and life skills they need to live, learn, work and achieve.
In addition, employers can expect graduate apprentices to possess a wide range of transferable skills, such as presentation, oral and written communication, the ability to problem solve and work independently and deal with complex and challenging situations, advocacy and empathy, resilience, teamwork and the ability to understand and work with people from all backgrounds.
What can I do with this qualification?
They will also be ready to progress to postgraduate-level study in subjects such as community justice, social policy and counselling to name a few. Studying for a PhD or professional doctorate is another option, or they could pursue a career in teaching by undertaking the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
Professional Recognition
The University of Bolton's BA (Hons) Community Development and Youth Work (Professionally Endorsed) (Youth Worker Integrated Degree Apprenticeship) offers dual professional recognition. It is professionally endorsed by the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) for Youth Work (as validated by the National Youth Agency (NYA) Education and Training Standards Committee). The Endorsement and Quality Standards Board for Community Development Learning (ESB) also professionally recognises it.
Successful achievement of the BA (Hons) Community Development and Youth Work (Professionally Endorsed) (Youth Worker Integrated Degree Apprenticeship) confers professionally qualified status for youth workers in England.
Fees & Funding
Apprentices will not be expected to pay tuition fees towards this programme. If your organisation has a wage bill of more than £3 million per annum, then it may be able to fund this apprenticeship through its Apprenticeship Levy contributions. If your organisation does not pay the levy, it will be eligible for government support to fund apprenticeships. This support, called co-investment, covers 95% of the apprenticeship's tuition fees, with your organisation funding the remaining 5% of the fees.
Home/EU Fees
Apprentices will need to be employed by your organisation for a minimum of 30 hours per week. Your organisation will also need to commit to sponsoring apprentices to complete this qualification.
For further information on how your organisation can access funds to support apprentices, please e-mail apprentices@bolton.ac.uk.
Whether you’re an employer, employee or school leaver, please visit our Apprenticeship web page for support and advice regarding apprenticeships.
International Fees
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.
Bursaries
There are no bursaries associated with this programme.
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2025-26 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
Please contact the programme leader for details of the application procedure. You can find their name, email address and phone number in the Programme Contacts section of this page.
For support and advice regarding apprenticeships, please visit our Apprenticeship web page.
International Applicants
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.
Teaching & Assessment
This degree apprenticeship offers a flexible and adaptable approach to developing skills, knowledge and behaviours required for a career working with young people and making a real difference in the lives of young people and their communities.
To make this course as beneficial as possible for you and your apprentices, we apply a range of learning, teaching and assessment methods, including online delivery and engagement where appropriate. These are designed to fully engage apprentices, helping them to develop the skills, knowledge, self-awareness and behaviours essential to become a youth worker, with particular reference to your organisation and their place within it.
Learning focuses on your workplace environment and builds the transferable body of knowledge and skills demanded to achieve professional JNC recognition as a youth worker and apply this expertise within your organisation. Your apprentices will spend the majority of their time gaining on-the-job knowledge and experience. They will also spend at least six hours per week undertaking off-the-job learning, including studying at the university.
To complement lectures that introduce the course content, seminars and group-based activities allow apprentices to explore subjects in greater detail. Tutorials enable them to clarify their understanding of the topics we cover in lectures and seminars. We use case studies and practical scenarios to help apprentices apply their newly acquired academic knowledge to real-life situations and gain valuable insights into contemporary practice in youth work. We'll also expect apprentices to undertake considerable guided independent study; for instance, library research and background reading, preparing for seminar and tutorial activities, and working on assignments.
Professional practitioners from the community development and youth work field will contribute as guest speakers, offering your apprentices the chance to further develop their knowledge and understanding.
Our assessment methods are varied and relevant to youth work. For example, the course requires apprentices to submit written reports, give presentations, develop their portfolio, write essays and reflective accounts, participate actively in group discussions and undertake practical skills assessments. Some assessments contribute to their final module marks. Others help them identify their strengths and weaknesses, showing where they need to seek extra support from course tutors and university student services.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Youth Work, Policy and Practice
- People, Power and Social Change
- Group Work and Informal Education
- Ethics, Values and Reflective Practice
- Work-Based Project 1
- Portfolio of Evidence 1
- Community Development, Policy and Practice
- Diversity, Identity and Social Justice
- Enabling Healthy Communities
- Contemporary Issues in Youth Work
- Work-Based Project 2
- Portfolio of Evidence 2
- Global Youth Work and Sustainable Communities
- Community Living: Housing and Homelessness
- Management, Governance and Organisational Development
- Work-Based Project 3
- Portfolio of Evidence 3
- End Point Assessment
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 64% Practical exams 36% |
| Level 2 | Coursework 78% Practical exams 22% |
| Level 3 | Coursework 68% Practical exams 32% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 72% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 28% |
| Level 2 | Guided independent study 80% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 20% |
| Level 3 | Guided independent study 80% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 20% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
