What will my study involve?

Entry requirements

To enrol in the degree, you will need:

• University Entrance (or equivalent). UC offers transition programmes for those who need help meeting these requirements.
• UC's English language requirements if English is not your first language. If you need help meeting these requirements, or would like to practise your English skills before studying, UC offers English for Academic Purposes (EAP) language programmes.

See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.

The programme is open to anyone from a range of interests or experience in leadership roles. No particular background study is required. A passion for social change, community work, and volunteering is the best preparation.

Strong written and verbal communication skills will be especially useful.

Subjects and courses

The BYCL degree includes compulsory courses in each year, as well as a range of course options from other degrees. You can also choose to do a minor from the subject options below.

Year 1

• YACL101 Introduction to Youth Leadership: Leading the Self
• CHCH101 Strengthening Communities through Social Innovation
• Three 100-level courses chosen from the elective courses list
• One course chosen from these options

Year 2

• YACL201 Social Leadership: Leading with Others
• EDUC206 Education and Society: Ideals and Realities
• Two 200-level courses chosen from the elective courses list
• One course chosen from these options

Year 3

• YACL301 Civic Leadership: Leading for Change
• YACL302 Leadership Project: Implementing Change
• EDUC302 Risks and Opportunities in Adolescence: Research and Applications OR EDUC339 Globalisation, Social Justice and Education
• 30 points of 300-level courses chosen from the elective courses list

Following a particular course pathway focused on youth work and development in the degree will grant you professional membership with Korowai Tupu, the professional association for youth work in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This pathway has been designed in consultation with Korowai Tupu, Ara Taiohi (the national peak body for youth development in Aotearoa), the Canterbury Youth Workers Collective (CYWC), and other professional organisations.

Further study

You can go onto a range of postgraduate programmes at UC, depending on your leadership focus in humanities, business, or education:

• Bachelor of Arts with Honours
• Postgraduate Certificate in Arts
• Postgraduate Certificate in Business
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education
• Postgraduate Certificate in Māori and Indigenous Leadership
• Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Leadership
• Postgraduate Certificate in Youth and Community Leadership
• Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
• Postgraduate Diploma in Business
• Postgraduate Diploma in Education
• Postgraduate Diploma in Youth and Community Leadership
• Master of Arts
• Master of Arts (Thesis)
• Master of Education
• Master of Māori and Indigenous Leadership
• Doctor of Education
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Career ready

Find out more about what can you do with a degree from UC.