Youth Work BA
Study of how to support, empower, and advocate for young people as they navigate challenges, build confidence, and develop their identity, skills, and wellbeing.
Is this for you?
This degree could suit you if you:
Enjoy working with young people
Want to support communities
Are empathetic and patient
Want a meaningful career
Like practical work
Popular Career Fields
Charity & NGO Sector
Government & Public Sector
Education
Healthcare & Public Health
Your Personality Might Be:
Empathetic
Government & Public Sector
Good communicator
Passionate about young people
What is it?
What is a Youth Work degree?
Youth Work focuses on the personal, social, and educational development of young people aged 11–25. It combines elements of sociology, psychology, education, safeguarding, and community development to explore how young people learn, grow, and participate in society.
You will learn how to engage young people in meaningful activities, build trusting relationships, create safe spaces, and support them through challenges such as mental health issues, identity, social pressures, education, and family difficulties.
The degree also emphasises advocacy, inclusion, and empowering young people to shape their own futures.
Many Youth Work degrees include a pathway to professional youth worker status, depending on the university and accreditation.
Why Study for a Youth Work degree?
If you enjoy supporting others, value equality and inclusion, and want to help young people overcome obstacles and reach their potential, this degree is a strong fit. Youth Work is socially meaningful and emotionally rewarding, offering the chance to make a genuine difference in communities.
You’ll develop practical support skills, gain insight into youth culture and social issues, and learn how to design activities and interventions that promote wellbeing, confidence, and positive outcomes.
Course Summary
Study of how to support, empower, and advocate for young people as they navigate challenges, build confidence, and develop their identity, skills, and wellbeing.
What you'll study
This course might include modules such as:
Principles of youth work, empowerment, and informal education
Working inclusively with diverse young people and groups
Safeguarding, ethics, and professional boundaries
Youth development, behaviour, and mental health
Designing youth programmes, projects, and interventions
Partnership working with schools, families, and community organisations
Skills You'll Gain
A Youth Work degree builds strong academic and practical skills, including:
Communication and active listening – building rapport and supporting young people sensitively and effectively.
Youth engagement and facilitation – creating safe, inclusive environments that encourage participation.
Safeguarding and ethical awareness – recognising risks and maintaining professional, responsible practice.
Programme design and delivery – planning activities, interventions, and projects that meet young people’s needs.
Reflective and analytical skills – evaluating practice and adapting your approach to support positive outcomes.
Pathways, Placements and Work Experience
CAREERS
Career Pathways
Graduates often work in:
Youth Work and community engagement
Schools, alternative education, or mentoring roles
Youth justice and offender support
Mental health and wellbeing services
Housing and homelessness support
Charity, voluntary, and social impact organisations
Family support and early intervention services
Work Experiences & Placements
Most degrees include significant placement hours in settings such as:
Youth centres and youth clubs
Schools, colleges, and mentoring programmes
Charities and voluntary sector organisations
Community and family support services
Youth offending and justice teams
Mental health and wellbeing projects
These placements provide practical experience, confidence, and a strong foundation for employment.
Salary Profile
Coming soon
Qualifications, Personal Satement, What to do Next?
AM I ELIGIBLE?
Entry Requirements
A-levels or equivalent. Most universities accept a broad range of subjects. Sociology, Psychology, Health & Social Care, Education, or English are beneficial.
Personal Statement Tips
Show passion for supporting young people and promoting equality.
Mention volunteering, mentoring, sports leadership, or youth club involvement.
Discuss social issues affecting young people today.
Highlight empathy, communication, patience, and teamwork skills.
What to do Next
Explore courses that include professional youth work recognition.
Attend open days to learn about placement settings.
Volunteer with youth organisations to gain experience.
Read about youth development, wellbeing, and social justice.
Wider Reading
Youth Work: Preparation for Practice – Jason Wood & Jean Hine: A core introduction to the field.
Informal Education – Jeffs & Smith: Understanding youth work as education.
Respect in a World of Inequality – Richard Sennett: Why dignity matters in social and youth settings.
The Teenage Brain – Frances E. Jensen: Insight into adolescent development and behaviour.