Course Summary
The MA/PDip in Child, Youth and Community is designed for professionals already working in or for those who have a strong interest to work in the community, voluntary or public sector. It was developed by the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre at the School of Political Science and Sociology.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Application Details
WHEN TO APPLY: University of Galway does not set a deadline for receipt of applications (with some exceptions). Offers will be issued on a continuous basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Next start date September 2024
Fees
€7,640 p.a. full-time; €3,855 p.a. part-time (including levy) 2024/25
Fees: Tuition
€7,500 p.a. full-time; €3,750 p.a. part-time 2024/25
Fees: Student levy
€140 p.a. full-time; €105 p.a. part-time 2024/25
Fees: Non EU
€18,500 p.a. (€18,640 including levy). 2024/25
PDIP: EU - €5,000 (€5,140 including levy); Non EU - €14,000 (€14,140 including levy)
Student levy €140—payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI.
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Career Progression
The programme is designed for professionals already working in the community, voluntary or allied sectors and for those who have a specific expertise in, or understanding of the lives of children and youth and communities, and who wish to acquire a specialised Level 9 qualification which will ‘add value’ to their existing qualifications and enable them progress to leadership roles within their careers.
The MA provides students with the opportunity to develop skills-sets that are in high demand. It is designed to respond to the needs of a funding dependent sector and meet the growing national and international donor requirement, to comply with rights-based approaches and provide scientific, robust evidence to measure the impact of social interventions.
Upon graduation students will have the necessary knowledge and a skill-set in programme planning, research and evaluation, human rights programming and advocacy, communication and innovative thinking in the context of child, youth and community services.
Typically, graduates will seek employment in areas such as youth work, child welfare, community development, national or international public administration, advocacy or research.
Unique Strengths of the Programme
The Programme is designed in collaboration with leading organisations and employers in the wider child, youth and community work sectors;
The Programme is based in a UNESCO affiliated Research Centre and connected to the global network of the UNESCO Chair in Children, Youth and Civic Engagement;
The Programme provides a flexible study route with full-time and part-time options, a Postgraduate Diploma exit award and Blended learning opportunities.
The programme offers the opportunity to be part of a thriving post-graduate community within the wider School of Political Science and Sociology.
Transferable Skills Employers Value
On the successful completion of this programme students will have:
1. Developed skills in programme planning, monitoring and evaluation;
2. Enhanced their skills in human rights based approaches to programme planning;
3. Enhanced their intercultural competencies;
4. Developed their skills in research, communication and innovative thinking;
5. Critically explored current research evidence and developed the capacity to use research evidence in practice;
6. Built national and international networks within the sector;
7. Developed their capacity as leaders in this field [leadership skills].
Duration
Course code
MA—MA-CYC; PDip—PGD-CYC