CYP Diploma in Youth Work Linked to Brunel University’s Youth and Community BA

Several Caribbean students have already enrolled with Brunel University’s BA (Hons) Youth and Community.

During a visit to the Caribbean in October 2007, on the invitation of the CYPCC, Dr Simon Bradford, Senior Lecturer in the School of Sport and Education and Director of the Centre for Youth Work Studies at Brunel University presented options to the CYPCC to formalise links between the two organisations. The CYP pan-Commonwealth office followed through on the Caribbean initiative and Ms Cristal de Saldanha, CYP Adviser for Youth Development, met with Dr Bradford on 18^th December to continue discussions on links on training for youth workers.

The Brunel University degree course is designed for those youth workers who already hold a Certificate, Diploma or Dip HE. The programme is degree level in-service professional education for early and mid-career youth/community workers and others undertaking social educative work in similar areas. It has been designed to answer the professional education and career development needs of youth/community workers who wish to extend their initial training into the knowledge and skill areas of their current role.

The aim is to use and capitalise on the ongoing practical and professional experience of those participating in the programme and to equip them with the potential for an effective and successful career in youth/community work.

The BA comprises 4 modules of 20 credits each, drawing on the social sciences and looking critically at areas of professional practice with young people and communities. The course is provided in blended and distance learning form, with an induction period of 2 days and a 4 day research methods programme that are currently undertaken at the University. Brunel is looking at ways in which the research methods course could be provided in a distance learning form. The modules are provided through U-Link web-bases which also offer the opportunity of online realtime discussion with course colleagues and tutors.

Brunel University will consider positively applications from students who have successfully completed the CYP Diploma for further study. The routing into the Brunel B.A may differ, depending on the credit arrangements and levels from the feeder universities.

Dr Bradford said...”The BA (Hons) Youth and Community offers a challenging and stimulating route to a degree for students who have completed previous study in other institutions. For graduates of the CYP Diploma it could provide a positive way of developing their existing knowledge and skills. Of course, the BA also leads to the future possibility of postgraduate and doctoral study. Brunel aims to support the development of knowledgeable and competent graduates who can make a real contribution to the lives of their communities."

Free Standing/Short Courses based on the CYP Diploma

Brunel will also consider offering short, free standing courses for those who already have a degree, but who wish to focus on a particular area of work, e.g. policy, strategic planning, management etc.

These courses will target functionaries such as Ministers/Directors of Youth or even CYP staff members if they so wish.

The courses will be accredited, and credits may be accumulated. Brunel will look to the current Diploma materials as the basis for these courses as well as availing additional options based on their Youth and Community BA and other courses.

Speaking on the preliminary outcomes of the CYP/BRUNEL discussions, Ms Glenyss James is thrilled at this recent development since graduates of the CYP Diploma programme in the Caribbean have over the years been requesting CYP to provide opportunities for studying at the degree and post graduate levels. CYPCC has been advised that the Caribbean Pan Commonwealth Diploma Graduates from St Vincent and the Grenadines completed the undergraduate degree in youth work through Brunel University during the 90’s.

Brunel University, West London
Dr Simon Bradford
Senior Lecturer
School of Education and Sport
Halsbury Building
Middlesex
UB8 3PH
United Kingdom

Tel : +44 (0)1895 267143
Fax: +44 (0)1895 269805
http://www.brunel.ac.uk/