Adult Learning, Community Development & Youth Work Practice (Taught)

The Masters/Diploma in Adult Learning, Community Development & Youth Work Practice offers you the opportunity to study the theoretical and practical dimensions of adult, community and youth development. It will equip you with the skills and knowledge to work alongside people in communities to initiate sustainable social change. Completing a practice placement, you will receive a qualification accredited by the Scottish Standards Council for CLD. The non-accredited route is ideal for those who already have relevant work experience or do not require a professional qualification.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

• You will discover ways in which you can help people realise their potential, and work together for a fairer, healthier and happier world.

• This qualification will enable you to work in the field of community learning and development, including community development work, youth work, health, housing and social and economic regeneration.

• You can gain a professionally accredited Masters degree, accredited by the Community Learning and Development Standards Council in Scotland. The accredited route involves a 480-hour placement in a community-based context.

• If you already have relevant work experience, or do not require a professional qualification, you can choose the non-accredited route.

• You will have the opportunity to participate in a network of community development projects. Project leads contribute to the taught aspects of the programme and also provide you with placement opportunities.

• Our students come from a wide range of professional, academic and cultural backgrounds and all bring with them a curiosity about how social justice can be developed by people working together for change.

• Education at Glasgow is ranked 6th in the UK by the Good University Guide 2025 and 7th in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2026.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
The programme addresses the three domains of Community Learning and Development – Adult Learning, Community Development and Youth Work.

Non-accredited route: You will take four core and three optional courses.
Accredited route: You will take five core courses (including placement) and one optional course. Professional accreditation is awarded upon successful completion of the PgDip.

MEd students will also complete a dissertation, falling within one of the three main areas of the programmes.

Core courses
Collective Learning and Action for Social Justice (PgDip only)
Community-Based Group Work
Ethics and Research in Communities
Practice Placement (accredited route only)
Practitioner Research Project
Theorising Community Practice

Optional courses may include
Adult Learning for Transformation
Collective Learning and Action for Social Justice (MEd only)
Responding to Adversity in Communities: Sex, Drugs, and (Vegan) Sausage Rolls
Professional and Ethical Practice in Leading Community Organisations
The Psychology Of Adult Learning
Youth Work: Working with Young People for Positive Change

CAREER PROSPECTS
As a graduate of this programme, you will have many employment opportunities open to you in the areas of community development work, youth work, health, housing and social and economic regeneration.

With an accredited CLD Standards Council for Scotland qualification, you will have the opportunity to work for local authorities, the voluntary sector and further and higher education institutions. You will gain invaluable work experience in a real-life context and develop a range of skills and competences that are attractive to future employers.