UDYTHSTU - BSc Youth Studies

The BSc (Hons) Youth Studies course has been designed to provide an understanding of young people in their social, cultural and political context. It is an integrated and inter-disciplinary programme of study, which comprises both theoretical and practice-based elements. The course draws on the insights and methodologies of youth and community work, cultural studies, criminology, media studies and sociology and aims to develop graduate attributes of self-awareness and performance in a variety of contexts, with special emphasis on anti-oppressive practice, as well as ethical and creative considerations.

Students undertake a series of taught modules in the key areas of youth studies. The teaching and learning strategies applied throughout modules within the course aim to develop the student’s skills and knowledge and understanding of issues affecting young people. The teaching programme provides the underpinning basis for learning. Student’s thinking and practical skills are developed through complementary activities including lectures, seminars, workshops, on-line educational resources, tutorials and assignments.

The teaching team comprises experienced university staff, who will be able to guide and direct both in-class and independent study. In addition, students are expected to complement formal teaching with guided VLE learning resources and self-directed learning and completion of specified assignments. Students are encouraged to use all open spaces of study available to them within North campus.

The course will also promote the student’s self-management and a reflective approach to their learning with a view to enhancing their personal and professional development. Students will be encouraged to develop a personal development plan in preparation for employment through reflecting on their learning from the modules.

The BSc Youth Studies programme aims to engage students in learning that integrates subject knowledge, professional practice and theory. It aims to develop students who are socially mobile, socially aware and driven by values, such as social justice and equality. Students will be able to apply knowledge related to youth studies and will develop transferable and employability skills. The course aims to develop individuals who will embody community spirit, authentic leadership and resilience, using professional skills to transform their own lives, and the prospects of young people, as well as marginalised communities and individuals.

Moreover, the aims of this course are:
• to provide students with a programme of study that is both intellectually stimulating and offers opportunities to explore and examine local, national and global issues and developments that shape young people's lives and life experiences;
• to equip students with practical and transferable skills necessary for employment and further education and research studies;
• to develop intellectual and practical skills in the collection, examination, interpretation and understanding of qualitative and quantitative sources relevant to the analysis of the ways young people experience and engage with contemporary society;
• to equip students with tools and knowledge grounded in principles and values of anti-oppressive and -discriminatory practice to minimise power hierarchies while facilitate an environment that builds the power of those who hold a marginalised identity; and,
• to develop skills of self-evaluation and reflection, critical thinking and communication for the interpretation and analysis of social and cultural issues and problems.

The following learning outcomes incorporate and depend on systematic understanding of the key aspects of the knowledge base of Youth Studies, including a coherent and detailed knowledge of some specialist areas in depth.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within Youth Studies;

2. devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of Youth Studies;

3. describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, in Youth Studies, recognising the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge;

4. manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to Youth Studies);

5. apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects;

6. critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem;

7. communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences;

8. exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts;

9. undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature

10. demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and will act as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible practitioners and professionals in Youth and Community work.

School of Social Sciences and Professions/Social Sciences/Youth

The purpose of the assessments is to reinforce students learning through a structured and time-bound process of reflection, presentation and writing. Students understanding of each of the module aims and learning outcomes will be assessed throughout each module. A range of assessment methods will be used for formative and summative assessment. The forms of assessment have been designed to test students’ knowledge of each of the modules.

Assessment is the responsibility of the academic staff delivering the modules and the teaching team will be responsible for marking.

Students are assessed through a variety of methods including poster and oral presentations, reports, examinations, practical reports and reviews, case studies, mind-maps, seminar presentations and essays. Transferable skills have been embedded in the learning outcomes of the core modules.

In line with the Faculty’s assessment strategy, the course will provide feedback on finished work and redirect that work into providing feedback on draft submissions. Students will be given clear deadlines for handing in drafts and, if they meet these deadlines, will be guaranteed to receive feedback in time to allow them to improve their final submission.

There will be opportunities for students to study for part of their degree in another European country. ERASMUS is part of the European Union SOCRATES programme for cooperation in the field of education. Under ERASMUS the University has student exchange agreements with 16 different European countries.

Full list of mapping modules against course learning outcomes can be found in the Course Handbook

Certificate in Higher Education
4 core modules at level 4

Diploma in Higher Education
4 core modules at level 4 (120 credits) plus:
4 core modules at level 5 (90 credits) plus any option (30 credits)

Students develop reflective learning skills within each of the taught modules and across the different levels of the course.

During Level 5 studies students will build on their understanding of Level 4 core modules and be encouraged to reflect more analytically on their learning of the inter-relationship between theory and practice through a critical engagement with the module content and more challenging resource materials. The assessment and feedback process will further develop their analytical and self-evaluation skills. Students will also continue to build their PDP.

During Level 6 studies students will consolidate their reflective learning particularly through the research-based module, which enables students to develop specialism in a negotiated key area of youth studies. Supervisors will initially assist with the clarifying the terms of the research project, establishing a timetable for the research and subsequent meetings. Supervisors will also direct in regards to background reading as well as advise on report formats, writing and statistical analysis. Students will review their personal development plan in the context of preparing for employment / further research.

Successful completion of the course offers improved career opportunities within commercial, public and voluntary sector bodies. Fields of particular relevance include youth & community work, youth justice, housing, education, welfare rights, social policy and social research. The programme is also excellent preparation for further research or study.

Graduates have a wide choice of careers within a rapidly expanding array of commercial, public and voluntary sector bodies; fields of particular relevance include social research, community work, counselling, teaching, youth justice, trainee probation, housing, health, education, welfare rights and drugs services. Previous graduates are now in roles as student support mentors and family case workers for schools, and as caseworkers for housing services for young people. Some have also gone on to work in prisons supporting families and individuals within the criminal justice system.

Continuing your studies with us

London Met has a wide range of exciting industry-linked postgraduate courses available on a full-time and part-time basis in youth work, diplomacy, international relations and sociology. The following courses would be ideal for progression to postgraduate study:

• Human Rights and International Conflict - MA
• Woman and Child Abuse - MA

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you must have at least:

• three A-levels with minimum grades BBC, or a minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent level 3 qualification
• English Language GCSE at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent, eg Key Skills Level 2 in Communications or Functional Skills Level 2)

We welcome applications from mature candidates without formal qualifications who have relevant experience and can show an ability to study at this level.