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
Applicants will require a QQI (NQAI) Level 8 degree, Second Class Honours, or equivalent, with a 2:1 in child, youth and family studies, sociology, psychology or a cognate discipline. Where applicants do not meet the formal academic requirements they can apply for entry through the University’s Recognition for Prior Learning Policy.
Application Details
Closing Date: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.
An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).
Next start date: September 2025
Fees
Fees: EU
€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.
Duration
2 years part-time