Master of Arts in Youth And Community Work University of East London - Docklands Campus, UK

This established course opens the door for you to step straight into youth work. Only one other provider in London offers a postgraduate JNC qualification as part of a master's course.

With 600 mandatory hours of practice learning to add to UEL-based learning, it is a demanding, but rewarding, commitment.

You will develop the ability to build confidence and trust in others, to deal with challenging behaviour and to engage, support and mentor young people in London - a dynamic environment for youth and community work.

Our former students often supervise our current students in a professional capacity and you will be taught by experienced people who share your passion. The UEL tutors are locally based. They have strong links with and are active within the sector.

Tracie Trimmer-Platman has just set up a new community youth project in Hackney Wick in a voluntary capacity, while Paul Adams is a member of the youth committee of Y Care International, a relief and development agency which works in partnership with YMCAs worldwide.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

There are four core modules on the course. Two are the placement-based Fieldwork Practice modules 1 and 2.

In the university-based sessions, you will learn the principles of group work, theory, management and supervision as well as gaining insight into youth work policy.

You will then apply this knowledge in the field. You could be organising workshops in schools, putting on informally structured learning activities, developing young people's interpersonal skills or working with partner organisations, such as the Youth Offending Service, housing associations, community organisations or schools.

The dissertation element of the course can have a tangible impact in the real world. For example, a current student is writing her dissertation on the effectiveness of anti-radicalisation programmes for Muslim youth run by a local foundation.

She is looking at the effectiveness of the foundation's approach and has interviewed staff, volunteers and young people to gather opinions and come up with future recommendations. Her dissertation will double as a report for the foundation.