The NUI Certificate in Youth Arts is a Level 7 Special Purpose Award delivered by the National Youth Council of Ireland in partnership with the Department of Applied Social Studies, Maynooth University. It aims to introduce those working in the youth work sector to the concepts, principles and practice of youth arts using a context and practice approach.
The Certificate programme will be of interest to youth workers and youth arts practitioners looking to develop their knowledge, skills, and competence in youth arts so they can enhance their arts-based work with young people in youth work settings.
The programme is delivered over 100 contact hours involving online and on-campus learning (including four residential weekends) and will include youth arts workshops and experiences; specialist inputs from NYCI and Maynooth staff as well as practitioners from youth work and youth arts; practical activities and project work; lots of opportunities for group discussion and reflection.
This Certificate is funded by The Arts Council and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Application Process
Please note:
- To apply, please complete the online application form below, attaching a reference from senior management in your organisation.
- Do check your eligibility before you apply and email rhona@nyci.ie if you have any questions!
- The deadline for applications is: Friday, June 13th 2025 at 5pm
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a short online interview on Monday, June 23rd or Tuesday, June 24th 2025
- 16 places will be offered to applicants.
- The course start date is October 18th 2025
If you have any questions about the NUI Certificate in Youth Arts or the application process please contact rhona@nyci.ie
FAQ Sessions: Certificate in Youth Arts 2025/2026
Join the National Youth Arts Programme team for one of our online FAQ sessions to find out more about the NUI Certificate in Youth Arts and the application process for the 2025/2026 course!
Course Description and Objectives
The NUI Certificate in Youth Arts aims to deliver specialist training for the youth work sector in youth arts methods and approaches, addressing the need in the sector for skilled practitioners who can integrate youth arts with their developmental work with young people. The Certificate aims to further enhance youth arts practice in youth work, increasing access to high-quality youth-centred arts practice that empowers young people and supports their development.
Through a blend of online and in-person learning, students will explore:
- Context and purpose of youth arts in youth work settings
- Principles and values of youth arts practice
- Skills and methodologies in youth arts practice
- Design, delivery and evaluation of a youth arts project
The Certificate aims to provide a supportive learning community for all participants and provide a wide range of learning experiences including: youth arts workshops at Certificate residentials; specialist inputs from NYCI and Maynooth staff as well as practitioners from youth work and youth arts; practical activities and project work; lots of opportunities for group discussion and reflection. As part of the Certificate programme, students are supported to complete 4 assignments, ranging from a short essay to youth arts resource development and project work.
Participants in the NUI Certificate in Youth Arts will:
- Gain an understanding of the cultural and sociological background to, and the theories and principles underpinning, youth arts;
- Develop an awareness of the relationship between youth work and youth arts;
- Experience and assess a variety of methods of implementing experiential arts-based learning in youth work settings;
- Develop skills for working with young people through a range of selected art forms;
- Build competence in planning, delivering and evaluating a youth arts project
Date & time
The NUI Certificate in Youth Arts will run from October 18th 2025 to June 6th 2026 and involves over 100 hours of learning, including:
- Regular online sessions on Thursday mornings from 10am to 1pm from October 23rd to May 28th (with breaks for mid-term, Christmas & Easter holidays and weeks with Maynooth residentials)
- 4 x Residential Weekends at Maynooth University: October 18th & 19th; November 22nd & 23rd; January 24th and 25th; March 21st & 22nd
- Certificate closing session at Maynooth University: June 6th
A complete list of session times will be made available to students in September 2025.
Cost
€550
The Certificate is offered at a subsidised rate of €550 which is payable upon acceptance to the Certificate course. This fee includes the student registration fee with Maynooth University as well as accommodation for 4 Certificate residentials.
Please note:
- Payment in instalments can be arranged if needed by contacting rhona@nyci.ie
- To support the participation of youth workers and practitioners from minority backgrounds, NYCI is offering two bursary places for the 2025/2026 Certificate. If you are interested in applying for a bursary, please contact rhona@nyci.ie
Venue
The Certificate takes a blended approach to programme delivery, including.
- In-person learning at Maynooth University, Kildare
- Online learning
Designed for
This course will be of interest to youth workers and youth arts practitioners working in youth work and youth arts settings who want to:
- Deepen their understanding of the role of youth arts in youth work settings and the principles and values underpinning youth arts practice.
- Build their youth arts toolkit, developing new skills and exploring methodologies across a range of youth arts practice and project management areas.
- Develop their competency in youth arts practice so they can apply their learning to their work with young people in youth work settings.
Eligibility
Please note that applicants for the Certificate must be:
- Aged at least 21 years old on 1st January 2025.
- Be based in Ireland.
- Participants must be currently working as a volunteer/ paid employee / contractor with young people in a youth work or youth arts setting, have support from their organisation to take part in the Certificate, and have support to deliver a short youth arts project as part of their coursework and final assessment towards the end of the Certificate. This part of our criteria is designed to ensure that our Programme’s investment of time and funding in the training of youth workers and youth arts practitioners/artists results in improved provision and outcomes for young people in youth work settings.
If you are interested in the Certificate and would like to discuss your eligibility, please do contact Rhona at rhona@nyci.ie
Delivered by
The NUI Certificate in Youth Arts is developed and delivered in partnership by Maynooth University and the National Youth Council of Ireland.
The Certificate is led by the National Youth Arts Programme team at NYCI in conjunction with staff from the Department of Applied Social Studies at Maynooth University and with the participation of a wide range of guest facilitators and inputs from youth arts and youth work.
The Course Co-ordinator is Rhona Dunnett, National Youth Arts Programme Manager and a member of staff at the Department of Applied Social Studies, Maynooth University acts as Academic Director of the Certificate programme.
Apply for the NUI Certificate in Youth Arts 2025/2026
To apply for the NUI Certificate in Youth Arts 2025/2026, please complete the online application form, uploading a reference from senior management in your organisation.
The deadline for applications is: Friday, June 13th 2025 at 5pm
Please contact Rhona Dunnett, National Youth Arts Programme Manager, at rhona@nyci.ie with any questions about the Certificate or queries about the application process.
Application Form: NUI Certificate in Youth Arts 2025/2026
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