Bachelor of Youth Work

Victoria University

About

In our youth work degree, you'll learn to help young people develop through activities that are enjoyable, challenging and educational.

You'll graduate with:

a solid professional foundation for working with young people specialist knowledge to support disadvantaged groups clarity on the services available to teenagers and young adults practical management skills leadership skills.

Our Youth Work degree is the largest in Australia, and is delivered by experts in the field.

You'll receive expert guidance from specialist youth sociologists and experienced workers from:

disability legal care community development social work other relevant areas.

In addition, you'll undertake substantial professional work placements, and graduate well prepared for a rewarding career.

Industry participants with a Diploma can choose to upgrade to a Bachelor of Youth Work degree whilst working in industry, with our National Youth Work Bachelor of Youth Work online.

Structure

To attain the Bachelor of Youth Work students will be required to complete:

  • 288 credit points of Core studies including 24 credit points of Capstone studies.

Course structure and units

First Year Core units

  • Youth Work Practice Unit code AEB1800 Credits12
  • Youth Work Practice 2 Unit code AEB1801 Credits12
  • Young People in a Global Community Unit code AEB1804 Credits12
  • Aboriginal History and Political Movements Unit code AEK1204 Credits12
  • Applied Human Rights Unit code ASA1024 Credits12
  • Principles of Youth Participation Unit code AYW1001 Credits12
  • Youth and Community Contexts Unit code AYW1002 Credits12
  • Youth and Community Programs Unit code AYW1003 Credits12

Year Two

  • Ethics and Youth Work Practice Unit code AEB2802 Credits12
  • Holistic Practice With Young People Unit code AEB2803 Credits12
  • Professional Practice 1 Unit code AEB3803 Credits12
  • Youth Policy, Civics and Culture Unit code AEB3805 Credits12
  • Change and Community Justice Unit code ASC2005 Credits12
  • Young People with All Abilities Unit code AYW2001 Credits12
  • Young People and Substance Use Unit code ECY2001 Credits12
  • Rights, Advocacy and Discrimination Unit code EDI3001 Credits12

Year Three

  • Youth Policy and Civics Unit code AEB3801 Credits12
  • Professional Culture and Collaboration Unit code AEB3802 Credits12
  • Research in the Community Unit code ASC3007 Credits12
  • Supporting Young People in Dual Diagnosis Settings Unit code ECY3000 Credits12
  • Working with Young People with Complex Issues Unit code ECY3001 Credits12
  • Youth and Community Industry Preparation Unit code ECY3003 Credits12
  • Youth and Community Industry Placement Unit code ECY3004 Credits12
  • Digital Life & Learning Unit code EEE3011 Credits12

Entry requirements

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.

Why is ATAR not applicable?

You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).OR:Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).For 'Online' EntryCompletion of an Australian Diploma of Youth Work or Diploma of Community Services

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Find out if you meet the admission criteria for a bachelor degree at VU.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Three years (minimum) work/life experience in Human Services or similar.OR:Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.PLUS:Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Additional information

Students will require a Working with Children Check to be eligible to undertake and participate in workplace visits, placements or projects. Use the following site link to obtain additional information: http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/ (external link)

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Pathways from VU courses

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Pathways from other institutions

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

SEDA

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Credit for skills and past study

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course coordinator or academic adviser.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

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  1. Critically review their knowledge and practice of youth work and its role in empowering young people;  
  2. Analyse, implement and evaluate the role and significance of youth work in diverse social, political and economic contexts;  
  3. Articulate their knowledge and skills in diverse contexts regarding youth work and community development policy, practice and management;  
  4. Contextualise generic knowledge and skills that enable professional effectiveness in youth work and broader community settings;  
  5. Demonstrate broad and in-depth knowledge and skills for working with young people in community settings;  
  6. Clearly articulate the social and political dimensions of disadvantage, in particular how it relates to young people;  
  7. Develop, implement and evaluate a range of leadership functions and skills in a variety of youth and community settings.  

Institution