BA (Honours) Childhood Studies
UCAS code
X370Attendance
Full-time
Three years full-timeAt a glance
Train to provide the essential services young children and their families need and work in areas such as nurseries, schools and social welfare. You learn from lecturers with extensive professional experience, many of whom are active in specialist research. You also gain valuable practical and professional skills on placements in a range of early years settings.
Key points
• Train to support children and families in areas such as social welfare.
• Learn from lecturers with extensive professional and academic experience.
• Build your professional understanding with placements in areas such as nurseries.
• Choose the practitioner option for fully qualified status when you graduate.
What is childhood studies?
Childhood studies is the study of concepts in childhood covering a range of perspectives including sociological, psychological and educational models and how these models affect practice in the context of health, education and social care.
About this course
Your studies centre around sociological and psychological approaches to the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of children and young people, as well as social policy related to children and families. You may not yet know what age range of children you would like to work with in your career, therefore this course allows you to study and gain some practical experience on a placement working with children from birth to 18 years old.
You benefit from a team of lecturers with extensive professional experience in key services for children and families. Many are also published authors and active researchers, driving forward knowledge in their areas.
You use a range of learning approaches and learn to link academic study to professional practice. There are self-managed learning tasks such as guided reading and research, note taking, literature searches and action planning. You also take part in group work learning tasks, such as presentations.
You get the chance to apply what you’ve learnt in a professional context on placement. For approximately 25 days in your first and second year you are on placement in settings such as schools, early years settings and specialist support groups in the voluntary sector. This could be supporting children and young people with additional needs, who may also be looked after children or young parents.
Your first placement is working with children aged 0-7 years and your second is with children from 8-17 years. These placements are a great opportunity to gain more practical knowledge and build your CV to impress future employers.
As well as studying core modules, you can by choose option modules which reflect your interests and career aims. In your final year you may choose to focus on your preferred age range.
In your final year, you also undertake independent learning to complete a research project on an aspect of childhood. Previous topics have included • children’s friendships • outdoor learning • literacy learning and gender • the impact of separation and divorce.
Key areas of study
You study linked themes including • childhood policy and practice • diverse childhoods • working with children • childhood research • sociology of childhood • safeguarding children and young people.
Associated careers
The course gives you a versatile degree which is of value in its own right as well as providing an excellent foundation for careers in • education • teaching • social work • working with children, young people and families • youth work • health related careers.
As a graduate you can find careers across a range of children’s services. Careers include • working for voluntary sector organisations • family support • work in schools as a learning mentor or teaching assistant. Other graduate level opportunities are also available to you in areas outside of children's services.
Some roles, such as teaching or social work, require postgraduate study. A number of our graduates progress to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) to qualify as teachers.
Course content
Year one modules
• sociology of childhood • perspectives on play 0-8 years • becoming an enquiring learner • children's development • promoting health and protecting children
Plus one option
Year two modules
• becoming a critically reflective learner • psychological development and health • educational cultures and environments • safeguarding and promoting children and young people.
Plus two options
Year three core modules
• children and young people’s rights and participation • multi-agency working in children and young people's services • research project
Year three options
Choose two from a range including • understanding looked after children • international perspectives • therapeutic approaches with children and young people • childhood and loss • forest schools • children and young people with medical needs • English school curriculum 11+
Assessment
• coursework • reports • essays • papers • timed assessments • book reports • self-evaluations • individual and group presentations • contributions to electronic conferences • work-based portfolios • logs • reflective diaries
Entry requirements
2014 entry requirements
Five GCSEs at grade C or above, including mathematics and English language. We may accept GCSE equivalents. Plus one of the following
• 260 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications. We accept AS levels. We do not accept general studies or Key Skills.
• Access – at least 45 credits at level 3 from a relevant Open College Network accredited course
• 240 points from CACHE diploma in child care and education
If English is not your first language you need an IELTS score of 6.5 and a minimum of 6.0 in the writing module and a minimum of 5.5 in all other skill areas.
You need to demonstrate that you have some relevant work experience, equivalent to 75 hours or more, on a paid or voluntary basis.
Download our application experience guidelines for more information about experience requirements and interview advice for this course. This document includes important information about your application. Failure to provide sufficient information may result in your application being unsuccessful.
As you will work with children, you must complete a declaration of criminal convictions and health check forms. If successful in applying, a Disclosure and Barring Services (formerly known as Criminal Records Bureau) check is required.
We consider other qualifications from the UCAS tariff. Applicants with alternative qualifications or a combination of qualifications and work experience are also considered. We welcome applications from people of any age. Please contact us for further advice.
Meeting the qualifications on the entry criteria does not guarantee you a place. You should ensure that you submit a personal statement and reference as these are considered as part of the selection process. Guidelines on personal statements and references can be found on the UCAS website.
2013 entry requirements
Five GCSEs at grade C or above, including mathematics and English language. We may accept GCSE equivalents. Plus one of the following
• 260 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications. We accept AS levels. We do not accept general studies or Key Skills.
Fees
International students
2013/14 academic year
Typically £10,680 a year
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,250 a year
How to apply
You apply for this course through UCAS.
Contact details
For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk