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Youth Worker Level 6 Integrated Degree Apprenticeship BA (Hons)

Employers – Make an enquiry Apply now Information for apprentices Information for employers
  • Level of study:
    Undergraduate, Apprenticeship
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information
  • Start date:
    September 2026
  • Duration:
    3 years
  • Attendance:
    Part-time
  • Course delivery:
    Blended, Block release (City Campus)
Youth Justice

About this course

This course is a degree apprenticeship giving an opportunity to people already working in organisations in a range of sectors such as education, criminal justice, youth work, healthcare, social care, or voluntary organisations that work with young people aged 11-19 (or up to 24 with disabilities), to upskill and become professionally recognised youth workers.

Through this course, our students will develop skills to engage with young people individually or within groups, and explore the most significant social, cultural and economic changes that affect the lives of young people today, including contemporary debates that explain and theorise young people’s lives.

Key themes that this apprenticeship will focus on include youth culture, education, transition, youth crime and risk taking, health and wellbeing, citizenship and social mobility.

This apprenticeship also runs at our Mansfield Site starting in January each year.

  • Experienced and qualified lecturers

    Our course team is made up of multidisciplinary practitioners, including JNC-qualified lecturers.

  • Accredited and industry-recognised qualification

    The course is accredited by the National Youth Agency, and is a JNC-recognised qualification.

  • NTU's Professional Practitioner Network

    offers strong links to organisations and professionals in the sector, which enables us to identify and share good practice and focus on contemporary issues and challenges.

Course accreditations

The course is accredited by the the National Youth Agency. For more information about Youth Worker apprenticeships, please visit the National Youth Agency website.

  • National Youth Agency logo

Module information

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll be studying throughout the course:

Stage Three

Gateway

Gateway is the period of time between the end of the off-the-job training (practical period) and the beginning of the assessment period when EPA will take place.

At Gateway, the apprentice, employer and training provider will review the apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours to determine whether they are ready to take their EPA. This is normally done at a Gateway review meeting which takes place near the end of the apprenticeship. At this meeting, all three parties will check that the mandatory aspects of the apprenticeship have been completed and that the apprentice is ready to take their final assessment(s).

Apprentices must meet the Gateway requirement set out in the assessment plan before taking their EPA.

End-Point Assessment

This apprenticeship is integrated. This means that the end-point assessment is administered by Nottingham Trent University and is usually linked to the academic award that apprentices study whilst in their off-the-job training period. The assessments are conducted by Independent End-Point Assessors who have been selected to assess apprentices against industry-specific competences.

Details of the assessment elements can be found in the assessment plan.

There are three elements to this end-point assessment:

  1. Observation of practice with questions.
  2. Professional Discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence.
  3. Presentation and questioning.

Achievement of the EPA enables apprentices to apply for keyworker status and Level 6 profession Joint Negotiating Committee for Youth and Community Workers endorsed professional status.

We regularly review our course content based on student and employer feedback to ensure they remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or availability in future years. Optional modules will only run where there is sufficient demand. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis to protect the academic and student experience.

Learn more about this apprenticeship

 

How you're taught

Upon joining, all students will have a full induction to NTU, youth work and the apprenticeship, and the support NTU has to offer as a university for social, emotional and academic success.

Study skills are incorporated into each module; modules are delivered sequentially, on a bi-weekly basis to give time for ongoing self study, application of learning to practice and reflection on learning; assessments are authentic and reflect the skills required for practice. Alongside this, within the department there is St3pUp available for students to help with academic attainment and study skills.

All students are assigned a personal tutor, and the course team maintains an open-door policy to ensure support is always accessible, without the need for formal office hours. Additionally, students can rely on a dedicated apprenticeship support advisor who understands the unique challenges of balancing work and study.

How you're assessed

All modules include formative and summative assessments. Assessments are authentic to mirror skills required in practice. Detailed assessment briefings and assignment workshops are included in the delivery plan. Students receive formative feedback to enable them to develop their summative work.  Modules are delivered sequentially to give students the opportunity to focus on one assignment at a time.  All feedback includes specific guidance on how to improve the work (feed-forward) and well as identifying areas that students have done well.

Upon completing all modules within the course, you will take part in the End Point Assessment (EPA) which assesses your knowledge, skills and behaviours that are required to complete the course.

To enable you to practise the required expectations for the End Point Assessment (EPA), as well as the above mentioned formative assessments, a range of formative tasks and activities will be embedded in the teaching delivery approach. This will enable each element to be developed and mastered to the required standard.

Contact hours

As an apprentice, you will already be working in the youth sector. Requirements are that 800 hours in practice have to be completed by the end of the course, of which at least 50% must be directly working with young people. There are modules each year in which apprentices reflect on their learning in practice, skills development and competencies against the National Occupational Standards for Youth Work.

You will be expected to attend university one day every two weeks.

Who will teach you?

  • Staff photo of Charlie Porter-Baker

    Charlie Porter-Baker

    Senior Lecturer

    Charlie Porter-Baker is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Work, Care & Community at NTU.

    Visit Charlie Porter-Baker's staff profile
  • Frances Howard

    Dr Frances Howard

    Associate Professor

    Dr Frances Howard is Associate Professor of Youth Research within the Department for Social Work, Care & Community. She is also lead for the Youth Research group across the School of Social Sciences.

    Visit Dr Frances Howard's staff profile
  • Ian Jone

    Ian Jones

    Senior Lecturer

    ‘Strong partnerships need strong relationships’ - enabling partnerships to be formed on trust, connectedness, sense of ownership and mutual benefit for all. Drawing from 30 years practice experience of working with children, young people and families in the statutory, third and charity sectors. Connecting the practice with 13 yrs academic expertise in enabling synergy through the role of ‘pracademic’. Developed a range of partnerships based on a value driven motivation for a shared sense of achievement.

    Visit Ian Jones's staff profile

Entry requirements

UK students

In order to be eligible to undertake an Apprenticeship, you must ensure the following are in place prior to the start date of the course:

  • You are a UK resident or have the right to work in the UK.
  • Have a job or a job offer from an employer who will support you to complete your apprenticeship.
  • Will spend at least 50% of your working week in England over the duration of the apprenticeship.  This also applies to remote and hybrid workers

Make sure to read the course-specific entry requirements in the additional requirements section below.

International students

In order to be eligible to undertake an Apprenticeship, you must ensure you can fulfil the following prior to the start date of the course:

  • You have been ordinarily resident in the UK and Islands for at least the previous 3-year period on the first day of your apprenticeship.
  • Your ordinary residence in the UK and Islands has not during any part of that period been wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education.
  • You have permission granted by the UK government to live in the UK and such permission is not for education purposes only.
  • You must be able to complete the apprenticeship in the time you have available (e.g. your Visa must last for the duration of the apprenticeship as well as your contract of employment).

Make sure to read the course-specific entry requirements in the additional requirements section below.

Policies

We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.

Fees and funding

UK students

- see the fees for this course, as well as information about funding and support.

To undertake an apprenticeship, you must be employed. Your employer will pay your tuition fees.

If you or your employer have any questions regarding the fees and funding available for this apprenticeship, please see our Apprenticeships pages, email our Apprenticeships team, or call  +44 (0)115 848 2589.

National Youth Agency and NatWest funding

The National Youth Agency have partnered with NatWest, who has committed £3 million to fund training for Level 6 apprenticeships. Normally, employers would pay a percentage of the cost of the training, with the amount varying depending on their size, but this scheme means youth work organisations can up-skill existing staff or volunteers without any costs, helping to improve their provision and benefit more young people in their area.

Find out more here on the National Youth Agency website.

International students

- see the fees for this course, as well as payment advice and scholarships.

To undertake an apprenticeship you must be employed. Your employer will pay your tuition fees.

We will review your identity documents / immigration status to verify your residency eligibility in line with the apprenticeship funding rules, at the application stage.

If you or your employer have any questions regarding the fees and funding available for this apprenticeship, please see our apprenticeships FAQs, contact our Apprenticeships team at apprenticeships@ntu.ac.uk, or call +44 (0)115 848 2589.

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are just a few additional things you may need to budget for:

Textbooks and library books

Your modules will point you to key textbooks and recommended reading. Many are available online, and in our libraries, but some students choose to buy their own copies. You’ll receive resource lists showing where to access eBooks, digital resources and physical copies. Our friendly Library team is always on hand to help you find what you need.

Printing and photocopying costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the printing and photocopying information on the Library website.

Careers and employability

Upon completing the course, you will achieve keyworker status and Level 6 professional recognition through the 'Joint Negotiating Committee for Youth and Community Workers' (JNC). This qualification is classified as a highly skilled graduate role.

As a result of being classified as highly skilled, the apprenticeship will allow you to pursue a higher level of education in the future. NTU offers an MA Youth Work, Leadership and Practice.

You will also develop skills that are highly transferable to a range of roles working with people and in leadership and management. If you decide to continue your studies, you will be well placed to apply for a Masters course, or apply for training in other professions such as teacher training or social work.

  • Employability Promise

    Personalised support, one-on-one coaching and industry-specific advice – it’s all part of our Employability Promise. And it doesn’t end when you leave NTU – you’ll have access to all our careers services for three years after you graduate (conditions apply).

  • Our graduates are…

    Graduates from this course now work in a wide range of roles such as:

    • Youth Workers
    • Youth Work Managers
    • Youth Justice Practitioners
    • Education or Health based Youth Workers
    • Community Development Workers
    • Sport Development Worker
    • Advocates

  • NTU Enterprise

    If you’re a budding entrepreneur, NTU Student Enterprise can help you to develop your ideas and innovations and turn them into a reality. We also offer training, mentoring, workshops, financial advice and more to develop your business skills.

Campus and facilities

As an apprentice you'll spend the majority of your time at your place of work. However, during your in-university time, you will be based at our City Campus.

NTU’s City Campus has everything you’ll need to keep occupied between lectures. As well as the Boots Library and its beautiful roof garden, there’s our superb Students’ Union building that includes a two-storey, 100-station gym; a whole host of cafés, bars, restaurants and food outlets catering to every taste; our much-loved Global Lounge; performance and rehearsal spaces for musicians; and much, much more!

If that’s not enough, just take a few steps off campus, and you’ll find yourself in the beating heart of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities. Enjoy lush green spaces and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink, and social scene by night.

Applying

UK students

Applications to this course can be made through NTU Applicant Portal.

To apply for this course, you must have secured your employer's agreement to support you through the degree apprenticeship course and have been allocated an architecturally qualified Employment Mentor from your place of work.

Firstly, your employer should contact our Apprenticeships team to discuss next steps in the applications process, and support available.

Keeping up to date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Good luck with your application!

Apply now

International students

We will review your identity documents / immigration status to verify residency eligibility in line with the apprenticeship funding rules, at application stage.

Applications to this course can be made through NTU Applicant Portal.

To apply for this course, you must have secured your employer's agreement to support you through the degree apprenticeship course and have been allocated an architecturally qualified Employment Mentor from your place of work.

Firstly, your employer should contact our Apprenticeships team to discuss next steps in the applications process, and support available.

Keeping up to date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Good luck with your application!

Apply now

Application guidance for apprenticeships

We have lots of useful advice and guidance to help you discuss your options with your employer or apply for available apprenticeship opportunities.

Application support

If you need more help or support, you can call our Apprenticeship team on +44 (0)115 848 2589, or email apprenticeships@ntu.ac.uk.

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Keeping in touch

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