Why Study/Key Benefits

• The BYCL is designed for students who want to become innovative leaders and create positive change for young people and communities.
• The programme combines leadership theory with applied, real-world learning.
• Students develop skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, project management, communication, stakeholder engagement, research, collaboration and solution-focused thinking.
• The degree is particularly relevant to interests such as youth work and development, sustainability, human rights, equality, social entrepreneurship and humanitarian work.
• Students can customise their degree by choosing courses from other UC bachelor's degrees.
• Students can optionally complete a minor from a wide range of subjects.
• Practical community engagement opportunities include noho marae, volunteering with Te Hunga T?ao | Student Volunteer Army and working with Te M?t?puna M?t?tahi | Children’s University.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The BYCL is a flexible 360-point programme built around compulsory leadership courses and approved electives.

Year 1:

• YACL101 – Introduction to Youth Leadership: Leading the Self
• CHCH101 – Strengthening Communities through Social Innovation
• Three 100-level courses from the approved elective list
• One additional approved course option.

YACL101 examines self-leadership, personal dispositions and leadership from psychological, philosophical and cultural perspectives. The course also incorporates Kaupapa M?ori approaches and includes a noho marae or alternative experience.

Year 2:

• YACL201 – Social Leadership: Leading with Others
• EDUC206 – Education and Society: Ideals and Realities
• Two 200-level courses from the approved elective list
• One additional approved course option.

YACL201 explores collaboration, social change, group leadership, problem-solving and different leadership approaches, with attention to indigenous leadership in Aotearoa New Zealand and its relevance to community leadership internationally.

Year 3:

• YACL301 – Civic Leadership: Leading for Change
• YACL302 – Leadership Project: Implementing Change
• Either EDUC302 – Risks and Opportunities in Adolescence: Research and Applications, or EDUC339 – Globalisation, Social Justice and Education
• 30 points of 300-level approved electives.

The Leadership Project gives students an opportunity to apply leadership concepts to implementing change.

The approved elective component provides considerable flexibility. Courses can cover areas such as:

• Community engagement
• Education
• Psychology
• Sociology
• M?ori and Indigenous studies
• Political science and international relations
• Human services
• Health
• Sport
• Business and management
• Marketing
• Media and communication
• Information systems
• Computer science
• Statistics
• Environmental science
• Sustainability
• Writing and languages.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The BYCL does not have formal majors or compulsory specialisations.

The qualification regulations explicitly state that there are no majors or minors for the qualification, although BYCL students may optionally satisfy the requirements for a minor permitted under UC's general regulations. They cannot minor in Youth and Community Leadership itself.

The programme can nevertheless be customised around areas such as:

• Youth work and development
• Community leadership
• Social innovation
• Education
• M?ori and Indigenous leadership
• Human services
• Politics and public policy
• Sustainability
• Business and entrepreneurship
• Sport
• Health
• Psychology
• Media and communication.

Programme Highlights

• 360-point bachelor's degree.
• 3 years full-time.
• Up to 6 years part-time.
• February and July entry points.
• Flexible programme structure.
• No particular previous subject background is required.
• Strong emphasis on leadership, community engagement and social change.
• Includes applied learning and community-based experiences.
• Option to complete a minor using subjects from a wide range of UC degrees.
• Option to combine the BYCL with another degree through UC's double/conjoint study opportunities where permitted.
• A dedicated youth work and development pathway is available.
• Completing the recommended youth work and development courses enables graduates to apply for professional membership with Korowai Tupu, the professional association for youth workers in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Career Outcomes

UC identifies career possibilities in areas including:

• Youth work
• Community services
• Charities and NGOs
• Politics
• Teaching and training
• Iwi and M?ori development
• Marketing
• Policy analysis and advisory roles
• Humanitarian and community work
• Social and community leadership.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The BYCL is currently an active 360-point qualification.
• The current UC programme page lists February and July starts.
• The degree has a 6-year maximum completion period.
• There are no formal majors or minors within the degree, but students can optionally complete a permitted minor.
• At least 225 points must be above 100-level, including at least 90 points at 300-level.
• The programme regulations require at least 150 points from the leadership-development schedule and at least 105 points from the approved elective schedule.
• The youth work and development pathway has been developed with input from Korowai Tupu, Ara Taiohi, the Canterbury Youth Workers Collective and other professional organisations.
• The current 2026 course information demonstrates that several BYCL courses have both campus and distance-learning occurrences, making course-by-course delivery checking important for international students.
• The supplied IPU programme URL is not a BYCL page; it currently describes the Master of Contemporary International Studies and states that the programme is no longer accepting new enrolments. 

International Student Visa Requirements

International students normally require a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa when paying international tuition fees for the BYCL.

Current Immigration New Zealand information states:

• Visa: Fee Paying Student Visa.
• Cost: from NZD$850.
• Maximum stay: up to 4 years.
• Processing time: 80% within 8.5 weeks.
• Students need an Offer of Place from an approved education provider.
• Students must show sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or have an applicable scholarship.
• Students must demonstrate sufficient funds for living expenses or have an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance is required.
• Applicants must meet health and character requirements.
• Applicants must demonstrate a genuine reason for studying in New Zealand.
• Students must be able to show that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.

Living-fund requirement:

• NZD$20,000 per year for tertiary study where the study period is one year or more.
• NZD$1,667 per month where the period of study is less than one year.

Work rights:

• Eligible student visa holders may work up to 25 hours per week while studying.
• Full-time work may be permitted during scheduled holidays, depending on the student's visa conditions.
• The exact work rights are those stated on the student's visa.

Other important conditions:

• Students must attend their course and make satisfactory academic progress.
• Visa holders must comply with their approved course and provider conditions.
• Medical examinations, chest X-rays and police certificates may be required depending on the applicant's circumstances.
• Students should provide evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds to leave New Zealand.
• Immigration New Zealand strongly encourages international students to apply approximately 3 months before intended travel.