Youth and Community Work

A degree in Youth and Community Work prepares you to work with young people, families, and communities to support social inclusion, empowerment, and wellbeing. You study topics such as community development theory, youth work practice, social policy, sociology, and group facilitation. Practical placement is central to the course — you typically spend significant time each year working in youth clubs, community projects, addiction services, or disadvantaged-area programmes. A typical week balances lectures and tutorials with reflective journal work, group projects, and supervised field placement hours. Some programmes include Erasmus exchange opportunities with European partners working in youth and community settings. Graduates are professionally endorsed by relevant Irish regulatory and professional bodies upon graduation.

Entry is through the CAO and typically requires a minimum of six subjects in the Leaving Certificate, including English at Ordinary level or above. Points requirements are generally moderate, though demand varies by institution and year. Higher-level subjects in English, SPHE-related areas, or the humanities are considered useful preparation. If you do not meet Leaving Cert entry requirements, a relevant QQI Level 5 or Level 6 PLC award in Community and Health Services, Social Care, or Youth Work can provide a recognised progression route into the degree. Mature applicants aged 23 or over may apply directly through the mature-student CAO pathway and are assessed on life and work experience. HEAR and DARE access schemes support students from socioeconomic disadvantaged backgrounds or with disabilities.

Demand for qualified youth and community workers in Ireland remains steady, driven by ongoing investment in social inclusion, mental health supports for young people, and community-based services. Professionally endorsed graduates are well placed for employment, as many funded posts require a recognised qualification. Starting salaries in the community and voluntary sector typically range from approximately €28,000 to €35,000 gross per year, with more experienced workers or those in statutory roles earning €40,000 to €55,000 or above. The sector is competitive in some urban areas but opportunities exist across rural Ireland, particularly in ETB and HSE-funded services.