Sociology (Youth, Community & Social Regeneration) - MA

This MA programme equips students with the skills necessary to engage with contemporary theoretical, policy and practice-related issues relating to work and study with young people in the national and international context of community regeneration and community development. The course offers a critical forum where the complexities of social regeneration are addressed. It builds upon existing research and teaching strengths at undergraduate and postgraduate levels within the Department of Sociology, namely: inequality and social exclusion; the welfare state; political sociology; youth and community, community development; media sociology; and urban studies. The MA programme includes field trips each semester to a variety of NGOs working in the areas of youth, community development and social regeneration. 

The MA programme has a variety of partner organizations in the Youth and Community Sectors, and all students will undertake an internship placement in the Summer Semester. Students have previously completed internships with organizations such Novas Limerick; Limerick Youth Services; Northside Family Resource Centre, Limerick and COPE, Galway.  

The MA may be taken as either a One Year (full-time) or Two Year (part-time) programme.  
 

Objectives

• To provide students with a conceptual and operational understanding of key issues, objectives and processes pertaining to the social aspect of Regeneration.
• To provide students with in depth knowledge of theoretical, policy, and practical issues related to the study of youth and youth experiences in the context of Community.
• To provide students with the transferable skills necessary to conduct high-quality social research in community settings.
• To facilitate learning and personal educational development by offering a range of teaching and assessment approaches, together with excellent research supervision.
• To assist students in designing, conducting and writing up high-quality research which will be of benefit to themselves and the wider community.
• To provide a core foundation, for those students, who on completion of the MA wish to embark on a PhD in this area.
• To provide a sound basis for moving from an academic setting into different areas of the labour force by helping students to identity the transferable skills gained during the MA programme

This MA programme equips students with the skills necessary to engage with contemporary theoretical, policy and practice-related issues relating to work and study with young people in the national and international context of community regeneration and community development. The course offers a critical forum where the complexities of social regeneration are addressed. It builds upon existing research and teaching strengths at undergraduate and postgraduate levels within the Department of Sociology, namely: inequality and social exclusion; the welfare state; political sociology; youth and community, community development; media sociology; and urban studies. The MA programme includes field trips each semester to a variety of NGOs working in the areas of youth, community development and social regeneration. 

The MA programme has a variety of partner organizations in the Youth and Community Sectors, and all students will undertake an internship placement in the Summer Semester. Students have previously completed internships with organizations such Novas Limerick; Limerick Youth Services; Northside Family Resource Centre, Limerick and COPE, Galway.  

The MA may be taken as either a One Year (full-time) or Two Year (part-time) programme.  

Students not proceeding to the dissertation may exit the programme with a Graduate Diploma upon successful completion of all coursework and assessments after the Spring Semester Full Time or Y2 Spring Semester Part Time.

Content of modules can be found by using the search option on the book of modules

Applicants must normally hold a primary degree in a relevant discipline with First or Second Class Honours (Level 8 - National Qualifications Authority of Ireland) or an approved equivalent qualification.

All applicants will undertake an interview. Interviews will, usually, take place in March/April of each year for entry in the following September.

Applicants who do not meet the academic requirements but who have appropriate professional qualifications and/or professional experience will also be considered.

All candidates must be fully proficient in both written and spoken English.

All applicants must include a detailed personal statement on why they think they are suited to the course, outlining in particular, any experience they may have of volunteering and/or of working in the NGO or youth and community sectors.

WHAT TO INCLUDE WITH YOUR APPLICATION:

• Qualification transcripts and certificates
• A copy of your birth certificate or passport
• A copy of your CV
• A personal statement outlining your motivations for applying for a place on this programme. Please include details of any previous or current volunteering experience in the Youth and/or Community sectors.
• If your qualifications have been obtained in a country where English is an official language this will suffice. 
•  If this is not available, the following additional documents must be provided:
• English translation of your qualification(s)/transcripts AND
• English language competency certificate
• Please click here for Further Information on English Language Requirements

Guidelines on Completing your Application

• To ensure a speedy assessment of your application, please upload the above documents with your application form – your application cannot be assessed until relevant documentation is uploaded
• Please title appropriately any documents you are uploading with the application form, for example "Supporting Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc.

International students can find more information on eligibility requirements here. 

EU - Full Time €7,600 - Part Time €3,900 per annum*

Non EU - Full Time €18,00 - Part Time €9,700 per annum*

*Please note year 2 fees are subject to change

Once registered, students can apply to pay their fees in instalments. A request for a payment plan should be emailed to student.fees.office@ul.ie.

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie.)

Career Prospects

This MA aims to equip students with the skills necessary to engage with contemporary theoretical, policy and practice-related issues relating to work and study with young people in the national and international context of community regeneration. Facilitating new learning as well as building on established academic, professional and practical experience, a range of teaching and assessment approaches will be utilised. These, combined with excellent research supervision, state-of-the-art training in either qualitative or quantitative methodological skills and a commitment to the collection and dissemination of both national and international examples of best practice in the field will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the key practical and theoretical issues which characterise the field. The cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional nature of the MA encourages intellectual flexibility, strong communication skills and an awareness of the diversity of approaches and experiences which characterise community based research and engagement. Upon completion of the MA students will be well equipped to embark on PhD research in this area and indeed to move from an academic setting into different areas of the labour force across a wide range of career paths.   These paths include, but are not limited to, research careers, policy development, youth and community work and professional engagement in the processes of social regeneration

Graduate Testimonials

Jenny Schaeffer (Youth, Community and Social Regeneration Class of 2019) "In November 2018, I accepted a job as a director of a residential camp for blind children and adults - called Highbrook Lodge. I'm finding the role both a great fit and an interesting challenge.  And, happily, I know that I landed my dream-job having learned a great deal from a fine set of teachers. Thank you for a great academic experience and for all of your support and guidance while I completed my course. I also appreciated how you took the time to help me consider all of the possibilities for my future."  

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Niamh Dillon “I have been working as a research assistant with the Hate and Hostility Research Group here in UL since finishing the MA. I also work as a tutor in the Department of Sociology.
I LOVE my job. It is definitely related to both my undergrad and my MA. I would not be able to do the job without the skills I acquired during both courses. I would love to continue in the role while completing my PhD.”