Undergraduate study
     

Youth

Teesside University has provided youth courses for over 15 years, and was the first university in the country to offer a degree in youth studies. Our Youth courses focus on some of the most pressing social issues facing individuals, organisations and policy makers. They provide you with a solid understanding of young people and communities today, and give you insight into professional approaches and skills development, which you will find useful in any career.

First-class facilities

We are based in the Clarendon Building, which has specialist teaching facilities with interactive white boards, an open-access computing laboratory, a student centre and a café. All modules are supported by dedicated online materials, allowing you to develop your knowledge, research skills and critical thinking. The Library has subject-specialist teams and a large range of books, journals and access to online texts, journals and databases.

Quality teaching

We are commited to providing you with the skills and understanding you need to become part of a graduate workforce. Well-qualified and highly experienced staff offer a friendly learning experience to support your progress and are praised by external examiners. In a recent survey, 92% of students studying Sociology (including Youth Studies) at Teesside were happy with their course (National Student Survey 2009).

Developing skills

Studying a Youth degree provides you with important skills, such as problem solving, written and oral communication and working with others. These skills are developed through our style of teaching, discussion, and individual and group tasks. Your critical thinking and analysis skills are developed through research and project work. You have opportunities to undertake work experience through your module options, and the BSc (Hons) Youth Studies and Youth Work degree includes fieldwork placements which develop practice skills, confidence and competency, leading to NYA/JNC professional youth work status.

Research

Our staff are at the forefront of youth research at local, national and international levels. We have a good network of contacts with key local policy makers, and practitioners involved in current policy implementation. In addition, several of the team participated in the government’s Social Exclusion Unit (SEU). The recent, JRF-funded, Teesside-based report Poor Transitions: Young Adults and Social Exclusion, formed part of the SEU’s review of policy for young adults with troubled lives. Students are encouraged to make use of these local contacts, along with Teesside’s stimulating policy and research environment, to develop their research and policy evaluation skills.

Youth

Excellent prospects

Our graduates develop excellent skills and knowledge about young people, communities and organisations, which prepares them for a wide range of career opportunities, including youth work professions, youth justice, community development and education, extended schooling, local partnerships, and policy and research.

Note: Some courses may involve regular access to children and/or vulnerable adults. Where this is the case you are legally required to register with the Vetting and Barring Scheme. Further details can be found on the course information and on our legal statements.

Factfile

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  • First UK higher education institution to offer honours degrees in Youth Studies
  • Youth Studies courses are noted for their applied and vocational focus, leading to accredited voluntary work
  • The Youth Studies and Youth Work degree is accredited by the National Youth Agency
  • Internationally regarded research into the lives of children and young people
  • We consistently achieve high National Student Survey satisfaction scores as a result of providing an excellent learning experience