Youth Studies Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Why study this course?

This degree will develop your skills to work with young people and practise youth work. On this interdisciplinary course, you'll be introduced to cultural studies, criminology, sociology, youth work, childhood studies and psychology.

This course has a high student satisfaction rate and leads to range of employment opportunities. According to the latest Graduate Outcome Survey, 87.5% of Youth Studies graduates have a meaningful job or have carried on studying.

CEOs and experienced Youth Practitioners are regularly invited to speak exclusively to our students. These industry experts provide an exciting insight into youth work practice and key issues affecting young people and their communities. They also offer job and placement opportunities for Youth Studies students.

More about this course

The transition into adulthood is often viewed as challenging and complex, but it’s also a time of fresh opportunities and new discoveries. Young people are represented in association with contemporary social concerns, ranging from unemployment to social relationships and youth protests, yet at the same time, they’ve become a pulsating presence in the media and in creative arts.

This interdisciplinary degree will develop your skills to work with young people and practice youth work. You’ll explore the phenomenon of youth culture, providing an understanding of youth in a social, cultural and political context. You’ll examine local, national and global issues, and developments that shape young people’s lives and life experiences. Practical and transferable skills essential to employment, further education and research you'll gain through this degree include computing, video production and multimedia creativity, as well as quantitative and qualitative analysis.

You’ll be taught by qualified and experienced practitioners in youth-centred research, and you’ll also be able to take part in debates with expert external speakers.

In your second and third year, there are a range of modules designed to represent aspects of youth culture and current social issues impacting on young people. These include subjects relating and prompting analysis of youth, resistance and social control, and exploring and critiquing the notion of self, identity and gender. You’ll be able choose modules that focus on areas which interest you. You’ll be able to examine topics including the relationship between the media and young people’s cultural experiences and expressions, anti-social behaviour and criminal activity, mental health in young people.

The Youth Studies degree at London Metropolitan University is suitable for people interested in:


- understanding the diverse lives of young people and their transition into adulthood;


- gaining knowledge of youth work practice and the key issues affecting young people and their communities;


- understanding the significance of equality, as well as anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice; and,


- working with young people and developing youth and community projects, as well as setting up an organisation or foundation.


What our students say

Current student, Michael Ayeni, had this to say about his experience:

"This course has really helped me – it has provided me with a solid background knowledge in youth work and the skills I need. Through this course, I've been able to think in a different dimension about working with young people."

"I feel that this course will enhance my future career prospects through my learnt skills and knowledge. The leader's passion has definitely infected me with enthusiasm to make a difference in society with youth practice."
National Student Survey (NSS) 2016