Community Development & Youth WorkForbairt Pobail agus Obair don Ógra

Do you want to work in partnership with people in groups and communities who experience disadvantage and oppression, and work towards social change in Irish society and abroad? Our mission is to educate and train future community development and youth workers to work in a range of settings in Ireland and internationally so that they can become active citizens and agents of change.

The course promotes principles of inclusion, human rights, equality and social justice, working towards sustainable development, and tackling issues such as inequality, climate change, poverty and disadvantage. Year 4 subjects include combatting racism, youth justice and global development, and you can specialise in areas such as social policy, sustainable development, community mental health, management skills, alcohol and drugs prevention strategies and conflict resolution. The course has a a strong element of experiential learning and includes fieldwork placements.

Professional Accreditation

The course is professionally endorsed by the All-Ireland Endorsement Body (AIEB) for Community Work Education and Training (2018-2023).

IT Requirements

Students on this course will be required to have a medium spec computer/laptop (i.e. able to run Win 10, an AV solution and Office comfortably. It should be able to use Wi-fi and camera in order to attend online classes, and use other software such as SPSS, Adobe Connect; e.g. Latitude 5510; Latitude 5410;

Please search for the TU Dublin offer on the HEA website www.heanet.ie/store

See Advanced Entry information, below

• Community Development Worker
• Youth Worker
• Programme Co-ordinator
• Project Worker
• Community Educator
• Working in Justice Diversion Projects
• Probation Service
• School Completion Project Worker
• Information Officer
• Community Liaison Officer in Local Authorities
• Voluntary
• Statutory and Private Sector Organisations
• Working with Charities or Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

We are currently closed for Advanced Entry Applications. The courses that will be open for advanced entry will be listed on the CAO website in January 2025. For information on how to make an Advanced Entry application, please visit our CAO Hub. 

If this course opens for advanced entry, the following will apply:

To qualify for Advanced Entry applicants must be currently studying, completing, or have successfully completed, studies at Level 6, 7 or 8 in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) or an equivalent, in a related area. You must demonstrate by providing transcripts of results that you have achieved the learning outcomes for each stage you wish to advance past, for example:

• To enter Year 2 via Advanced Entry, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Year 1.
• For entry to Year 3, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1 and 2.
• For entry to Year 4, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1, 2, and 3.

Application for admission to this add-on Honours Degree (Level 8) course will be considered from graduates of TU792 Bachelor of Arts in Community Development & Youth Work or a relevant Ordinary Degree (Level 7) course.

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website.

I chose this course because I love to help people. It focusses on a wide range of areas, such as Addiction Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Family Support Studies and Youth Work.

The course also has two thirteen week placements in years 2 and 3 and these really helped me to learn through practice, providing the skills for future employment. Class sizes are small, so getting to know everyone is very easy.

- Hayley Keogh, Community Development & Youth Work

On graduation, you may continue to postgraduate study at TU Dublin or elsewhere.