Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Youth and Community Work (JNC)

at Wrexham Glyndwr University - Wrexham Campus United Kingdom

The BA (Hons) Childhood, Welfare and Education (level 6 top-up) is an exciting opportunity to take your understanding and practice of Childhood Studies and Education to the next level. The programme

• Is offered to you as a fully supported e-learning programme
• Encourages independent study
• Deepens academic knowledge and understanding
• Can be studied over one or two years depending on your own work and family commitments.

Key Course Features

• Study in the comfort of your own home, with the flexibility to fit study around your work and life commitments.
• Join an engaging course which values communication and support. We use chat forums, e-mail, Skype, telephone and Moodle messages to keep in contact with students and our tutors are hands-on and readily accessible.
• We offer Saturday study days for students to get together and work with tutors face to face (optional).
• We have an experienced, friendly and supportive team who fully understand the challenges of balancing study with family and work commitments.
• We welcome students from outside the UK, with course materials and assignments written to enable students to bring their own context and experiences to the course.

If you are fascinated with behaviour and wonder why people do what they do, then our psychology course – which is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) – will be ideal for your questioning mind.

As a psychology student at Wrexham Glyndwr University, you will have access to a diverse range of facilities including our psychometric lab, flight simulator, high-tech sports performance lab, experimental cubicles and simulation lab.

On this hands-on, practical degree, you’ll discover the fascinating science behind how people think, act, react and interact.

Throughout the course, you will gain a greater understanding of social interaction, individual development and the way in which the brain interprets information that we deal with on a daily basis.

The scientific nature of psychology is emphasised throughout the course with specific modules relating to social psychology, developmental psychology, individual differences, cognitive psychology, and psychobiology. You will develop your statistical and research skills through regular laboratory-based practicals and in the final part of the course, you will complete a substantial final project on a topic of your choice.

You will take part in our annual real-time training exercise.

You can also choose to study this course as a foundation year BSc Psychology (four years including foundation year)

Key Course Features

• Small and friendly department with a research-active academic team.
• Fully supportive of student research interests.
• Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) – students will also have the opportunity to attend and present at the BPS conference at level 6.
• Facilities used on the course include a psychometric lab, teaching laboratories with modern computing facilities, a high tech sports performance lab, experimental cubicles and a simulation lab.
• Practical sessions in each module to give hands-on experience of the applicability of theory and/or develop students research skills. We believe that as psychology is about real life, formal lectures should be enhanced by experiential learning. All set lectures in the morning are supplemented by a practical exercise in the afternoon. These practicals relate directly to the theory studied in the morning session and use the excellent and varied resources available at the university.  

The cost of mental ill health to the Welsh economy is estimated to be £7.2billion each year (Mental Health Foundation, 2016). It is recognised that mental ill health can arise from a combination of factors at any point across the lifespan and that people living with mental health issues may require support from a range of services such as housing, social enterprise and community organisations in conjunction with statutory health and social care services. There is therefore a need for suitably knowledgeable practitioners to fulfil a range of emerging roles which will help to reduce the stigma, disadvantage and inequality experienced by people living with mental health issues and to work within communities to promote good mental health and wellbeing.

With a prevention and recovery-focused orientation, this dynamic programme combines theory with work based learning to ensure that our graduates are perfectly placed to access a variety of careers in this ever-developing sector. There are a range of assessments across the programme which ensure that each graduate has a full CV – students on the programme will develop anti stigma campaigns, produce health promotion leaflets and give presentations, reflecting the real life skills needed by future employers. Students will also develop their self-awareness and emotional literacy, alongside reflective and interpersonal skills – all of which are key to becoming an effective and competent practitioner.

The course is taught on two full days per week but students are expected to engage in both directed and independent study outside of these hours. Students will be assigned a personal tutor on enrolment who will support them throughout their time on the programme. The department operates an open door policy, meaning that students do not have to make an appointment in order to be able to access their personal tutor but are welcome to pop in. We also offer an established peer mentor system, so students can access support from fellow learners.

This course is also available to study as a three year degree (without a foundation year) BSc (Hons) Mental Health & Wellbeing

Key Course Features

• Includes a foundation year to prepare you for further years of study
• The programme team work with local employers to ensure that the theory taught is relevant to current practice in the sector
• Delivered by academics from a range of backgrounds, which means that you will be part of a diverse community of practice
• Established peer mentor scheme, so you can obtain support from students already undertaking the programme
• Innovative and flexible teaching methods are embedded throughout, including interactive lectures, tutorials, case studies, workshops, online activities and learning resources.
• Work based experience which you can tailor to your own area/s of interest in years two and three of the programme
• Opportunities to take part in additional relevant events and volunteering within the wider University, giving you a full portfolio of experience on graduation

This course will give you the experience and knowledge of a broad range of graphic design skills enabling you to successfully produce a portfolio to gain employment in the design industry.
Students will:

• have opportunities to work on 'live briefs' in the local community
• build their confidence, presentation skills and abilities to work with real clients
• undertake placements with our extensive alumni network
• enjoy visits to design exhibitions and museums, and conferences

You can also choose to study this course as a four-year integrated masters option MDes Graphic Design  or as a foundation year BA (Hons) Graphic Design (four years including foundation year)

Key Course Features

• Small, friendly community of staff/students at our Regent Street campus.
• High contact time with the programme team.
• Develop ongoing relationships with our alumni network.
• Offer advice and resources beyond graduation.
• Contacts with top design companies throughout the UK, benefiting our students after graduation.
• Teaching staff who are practitioners and research-active in the Creative Industries.
• Visits to design exhibitions and museums, attendance at conferences.
• Opportunities to work on real life, client-based project work.
• Visiting principal cities in Europe attending conference, design exhibitions and galleries.
• Close relationship with our careers team to develop students employability prospects.

This new idea-driven skill based course is about everything from concept art to 3D Modelling, 3D Sculpting character development and level creation.
You’ll be part of a degree with innovation, creativity and employability at its heart as you bring concept to reality; the perfect preparation for a career in an exciting, fast-paced industry worth billions each year.
You will:

• see you gain experience in the design skills and techniques used to bring projects from concept to screen through digital painting, 3D modelling, 3D sculpting, 3D animation and game engine
• develop a mix of design and technical skills like environment/character design and creation, 3D modelling, texturing, level design, level creation, live briefs, and games production
• gain a sound knowledge of game and concept art, with an emphasis on innovation, design and creativity rather than the programming and technical aspects of the gaming industry
• use the latest industry standard software
• have the opportunity to get hands-on work with industry professionals on real-world projects to help develop your skills and experience

You can also choose to study this course as a foundation year BA (Hons) Game Art (four years including foundation year) or with an Industrial Placement year BA (Hons) Game Art (with Industrial Placement)

Key Course Features

• Strong links with industry and professional bodies such as Skillset, NAHEMI and various associations. Our Creative Futures student conference plays host to a large range of visiting guest speakers from the creative industries.
• There are Industry-focused visits to gain first hand insight into how creative media companies function and the variety of employment opportunities that are available in the development of your career aspirations. There are also other study trips to festivals and Video Game expos.
• Opportunities to enter competitions.
• Our purpose-built Centre for the Creative Industries features specialist facilities, such as our TV studio with green screening, and software such as software such as Maya, Mudbox, Unreal Engine 4, Substance Painter/Designer and Creative Cloud for creating Game Art and playable levels.
• There is strong pastoral care within a friendly creative community with an emphasis on team building and collaborative work. Contact hours with tutors is high with enthusiastic and supportive sta? who are knowledgeable, research-active practitioners.
• *1st in Wales and 10th in the UK for overall satisfaction in the area of Cinematics & Photography. (WGU analysis of unpublished NSS 2019 data).

Our Animal Science subject area is top in the UK for overall satisfaction and learning community (WGU analysis of unpublished NSS data 2019) and our BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Conservation Science with foundation year programme is one of the courses in the subject area. This broad-based course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to enter a variety of professions within the animal sector.

Students will develop their knowledge in the core themes of animal behaviour, welfare and conservation. At level 6 students will design and implement their own research project, enabling them to specialise in an area of their choice. Personal and professional development is embedded within the course to maximise students’ employability within the industry and to enable you to focus upon your chosen career path.

This course is based at our rural Northop campus, set in the stunning North Wales countryside, with access to a rare breeds farm, animal unit, equestrian facility and woodland. Off-site visits to animal charities, wildlife centres and other industry related venues form part of the course.

Key course features

• Develop high-level knowledge of animal physiology, behaviour, training, welfare, and conservation.
• Urban and rural study environments - split your study time between the Northop campus set in the stunning North Wales countryside and our Wrexham campus, on the edge of the largest town in North East Wales.
• Excellent links with industry. Opportunities to carry out your own research project in a specialism of your choice within a variety of settings.
• Industry-active staff with specialist academic and practical skills, and experience of working with a range of domestic, and wild animals.
• Join our zoological society and enjoy a range of events, activities and trips throughout the year.
• Subject area is number one in the UK for overall satisfaction, learning community, student voice and students' union in the 2019 National Student Survey * (WGU analysis of unpublished NSS 2019 data).
• Progression from the BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Conservation Science includes employment or post-graduate study. 

The Foundation year is taught at our Wrexham campus, with Level 4 (year 2) studies moving to our Northop campus.

Much has been made of the use of composite materials in the aerospace industry with the Airbus A350XWB and the Boeing Dreamliner being headline news. However, the advantages of using composite materials can be extended to the majority of engineering areas and disciplines.

The rapid emergence of composites has revealed a difficulty in supplying the industry with Engineers that have the requisite knowledge of the materials. This MSc in Composite Material Engineering has been developed with that in mind. Students will learn the full lifecycle of components designed and manufactured with composites.

From first principles, potential students will learn the constituent parts of a composite material and understand the reasons for selecting each material. From there manufacturing methodologies will be understood. Design using composites will be taught after the different types of failure mechanisms are shown. Finally, repair, recycling and disposal of composites will be discussed in detail.

Students will be taught by lecturers from industrial and research background through a combination of lectures, tutorials, Laboratory sessions and computer classes.  Industry standard software will be taught to enable the students to graduate with the skills required for industry.

Key Course Features

• The university shares an Advanced Composite Training and Development Centre, (ACT&DC) with Airbus at the Broughton site a fully-equipped specialist composite laboratory will be used for lab tutorials throughout and also the student’s dissertation project if required.
• Access to cutting edge computer-aided design, analysis and simulation software, including ANSYS, Abaqus, MATLAB and Simulink, etc.
• The opportunity to add a specialist edge to your skill set.
• The university is perfectly placed with a number of composite manufacturers within 30 miles, namely Solvay, Sigmatex and Excel. In addition there are a number of SME and large engineering companies that utilise composite materials for their designs and components.
• Solid base for career progression in industry.

With its special focus on comics, this degree will provide you with the technical and creative skills to develop both your illustrative style and flair for storytelling. The programme introduces a broad range of creative skills, from the generation of ideas to their technical production through printmaking, bookbinding, 3D materials, life drawing, traditional and digital media, with an emphasis on drawing and the development of a unique personal style.

Students will

• Work with experienced and industry active staff, learn how to write stories, draw comics and produce a professional portfolio
• Have opportunities to explore visual sequencing, narrative imagery, anthropomorphism and character development
• Gain personal, professional and entrepreneurial skills, learning about the business of working as a freelance artist
• Be encouraged to working on live briefs and competition

Key Course Features

• You will be part of a vibrant and creative community of commercial artists including children’s book artists, illustrators, animators, game artists and designers.
• You will be taught by a teaching team with a broad range of experience working professionally in the comics and illustration industries.
• We encourage our students to self-publish and learn how to produce high-quality production prototypes to pitch to the publishing industry through the use of our in-house Bindery.
• Our students have won illustration prizes and awards such as the Oxford University Press Illustration competition, the Macmillan Children’s Book competition, the Caldecott Society and D&AD awards and been nominated for prestigious Eisner and Silver Reuben Awards.

Digitally enabled technologies and services support most aspects of modern life. Ensuring information is safe and services are kept running is the responsibility of cyber security practitioners and computer security experts.

The subject area is first in Wales for learning opportunities and academic support (WGU analysis of unpublished 2019 NSS data).
This course:

• addresses the advances in cyber security through an in-depth understanding of IT security, hacking, forensics, and the future and emerging technologies associated with this rapidly changing field
• provides opportunities to undertake real-life projects, preparing you for work within the industry
• provides opportunities to build and configure computer and networked systems, as well as the necessary support systems, to enable them to work effectively in a range of employment environments
• explores the issues associated with managing these types of systems and in particular the necessary aspects of network security

Key Course Features

• Hands-on teaching of a range of cyber security skills, techniques and tools, such as: cryptography; authentication; access control; viruses and malware; penetration testing; risk management; and forensic investigation.
• The optional Industrial Placement Year gives students the opportunity to experience the workplace first-hand and gain valuable employment experience for the future.
• Extensive PC and networked computer facilities with Internet access.
• The course team have strong links to the North Wales Cyber Security Cluster, an industry-led forum for cyber security practitioners and employers, and students on the programme have opportunities to attend and be involved with their meetings and events.
• The University is home to ARCLab, which specializes in research in the field of Computing and Computer Science.
• Subject area is 1st in Wales for learning opportunities and academic support (WGU analysis of unpublished 2019 NSS data).

You can also choose to study this course as a foundation year BSc (Hons) Cyber Security (four years including foundation year)

This Applied Art course focuses on the high-quality craft skills needed to be a professional maker. Develop your material and design skills through Ceramics, Metal, Jewellery and mixed media.

Students will

• Be able to understand the importance of high-quality making, originality and how to generate personal responses to materials and processes.
• Develop creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial skills
• Be able to combine their conceptual and technical skills in applied arts with the professional skills needed to be a successful maker.
• Develop interpersonal skills through collaborative projects and teamwork
• Study on a course in a subject area rated 94.4% for satisfaction with learning opportunities (WGU analysis of unpublished National Student Survey data 2020)

Key Course Features

• Excellent gallery and commercial links, with the focus on craft skills to enable you to become exceptional makers.
• 1st in Wales and 6th in the UK for overall satisfaction in the area of creative arts and design (WGU analysis of unpublished NSS 2019 data).
• Focus is placed on developing your business skills in areas such as pricing, publicity and marketing; we are consistently praised by external examiners for how well prepared our students are for professional life.
• You will be taught by a dedicated team of research-active practitioners who exhibit their own work both nationally and internationally.
• Work on live projects, exhibitions, competitions and commissions for public and private clients; this will give you confidence for your future career, for example, when approaching galleries and retail outlets with your work.

You can also choose to study this course as a foundation year BA Hons Applied Art (with foundation year)