Youth Studies - Foundation Degree
Course Code: SM1HE110
UCAS Code: L540
DEGREE-LEVEL
Next available course:
| Start Date | Location | Duration / Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14/09/2020 | University Centre | 2 Years / £8,335 per year | Apply |
| 14/09/2021 | University Centre | 2 Years / £8,750 per year | Apply |
Course Overview
Looking for a rewarding career pathway where you can make a difference to the lives of young people?
Designed alongside employers, the Foundation Degree Youth Studies combines the right level of theory with practical experience to equip you for key roles that positively impact young people aged between 10 and 24.
The youth sector can be a highly challenging field of work. Our lively and varied curriculum will prepare you to successfully engage and safeguard young people, while facilitating their personal, social and emotional development.
The course is taught by industry specialist tutors, online and at our dedicated University Centre in Blackpool. We offer a safe and friendly learning environment, smaller classes and dedicated one-to-one support – particularly welcomed by those who haven’t studied in a while.
Through our close employer links, you can look forward to excellent career progression within residential children’s homes; fostering and adoption services; youth justice services; mentoring and advocacy roles in the areas of mental health, social care or domestic abuse; and pastoral roles within secondary and further education settings.
Since the programme is awarded by Lancaster University, you will graduate with a UK top 10 university qualification. If you progress to our one-year top-up programme you could convert this qualification to a full honours degree, enhancing your career prospects further.
Entry Requirements
Prospective students must have a level 3 qualification that relates to the field of youth work. Students also need to be currently employed (paid or voluntary) within the sector for a minimum of 6 hours a week.
Qualification Obtained
Assessment Methods
Coursework
Most courses are assessed via a combination of coursework and exams – the percentage weighting of each of these is outlined below. Coursework might range from written tasks and assignments to the collation of a portfolio of evidence based around a work placement. Coursework differs from exams in that it is usually non-timed and carried out independently.
Exam
Exams are formal, timed written assessments, carried out in a controlled environment and overseen by one or more invigilators. They assess your grasp of the theory and underpinning knowledge related to your chosen career area. The opposite of practicals, they require you to set out your practical understanding within an academic context. Some courses have no exams – the exam/coursework ratio is outlined below.
Practical
Practical assessments identify your technical ability to apply theory to hands-on tasks in your chosen career area. They can be timed or non-timed and involve observation of your practical skills and competencies, either in a work-based environment or a dedicated College setting that closely resembles the workplace. Practical work-based assessments are supported and carried out by a trained assessor.
| Assessment Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 77% | 81% | 0% |
| Exam | 0% | 6% | 0% |
| Practical | 23% | 13% | 0% |
Course Structure
Level 4 Modules
| Title | Code | Credits | Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intro to Social Policy and Welfare | SM4MD133 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Child and Adolescent Development | SM4MD134 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Safeguarding | SM4MD135 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Management and Leadership | SM4MD136 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Working with Young People | SM4MD137 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Introduction to Academic Study Shac | SM4MD153 | 20 | Mandatory |
Level 5 Modules
| Title | Code | Credits | Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work Based Research Project | SM5MD185 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Professional Development | SM5MD186 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Contemporary Issues in Youth Work | SM5MD187 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Looked After Children | SM5MD188 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Child and Adolescent Health | SM5MD189 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Youth Justice | SM5MD190 | 20 | Mandatory |
Teaching and Learning Methods
Scheduled Learning
Scheduled time relates to the time you spend in directed study with the guidance and support of our academic tutors. Scheduled learning can take a variety of forms and will vary from one course to the next, but may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, studio or workshop time, fieldwork and external visits.
Independent Study
Higher education courses rely on students undertaking work outside of formal, scheduled sessions and this is generally categorised as independent study. Independent study might include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks and revision.
Placement
Many of the degree programmes at B&FC incorporate opportunities for work placements to provide you with the opportunity to link your studies to relevant professional practice in a real work environment. Our programme teams are able to offer support in securing an appropriate work placement where it forms part of your programme, and will work closely with you during the placement to ensure that the opportunity allows you to develop personally, professionally and academically.
| Learning Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled | 278 | 252 | 0 |
| Independent | 922 | 852 | 0 |
| Placement | 0 | 96 | 0 |
| Total | 1200 | 1200 | 0 |
Industry Placement and Field Trips
Other Costs and Equipment Needed
Expert Tutors
All staff involved in the delivery of higher education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver. The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.
Tuition Fees
Read our tuition fees guide.
