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Childhood and Youth Studies (Q23)

Course details
  • BA (Hons)
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  • Distance learning
  • 10/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Distance Learning
Awarded by:
The Open University

Course summary

What matters in children and young people’s worlds? What influences their development? How can adults working with them support and empower them more effectively? Childhood and youth studies is one of the UK’s fastest-growing academic disciplines. We're a pioneer in this field and have developed this degree over the last three decades. You’ll explore fascinating issues affecting children and young people today, including child development and psychology, digital lives, international childhoods, issues of power, agency, inclusion, social justice and children’s rights. This degree is suitable whether you work with children and young people or have an interest in their worlds.

Key features of the course

  • Spans the full age range from 0–24, offering insights into childhood and young adulthood
  • Study diverse topics including child development, psychology, international childhoods and children’s literature
  • Relevant to a wide range of careers in childcare, education, health and social care
  • Engage with research through assignments and links to the Children’s Research Centre

Please note that in England, this course does not provide Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), and in Scotland, it does not lead to SSSC registration in day care or children’s services. GCSE requirements may affect eligibility.

Modules

This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits. Each stage includes a compulsory 60-credit module and an optional 60-credit module.

How to apply

To apply for this course you will be taken to the provider's website, where you can find out more information and make an application.

Application codes

Institution code:
O11
Campus name:
Distance Learning
Campus Code:
D

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

There are no qualification requirements for this course.

There are no formal entry requirements to study this qualification. There are however requirements for two of the optional OU level 1 modules.

For Learning and teaching in the primary years (E103), if you are not already working or volunteering in a school or related setting regularly, you will need to negotiate opportunities to spend some time during the module in a formal educational setting for children aged 3-12 (eg as a volunteer) to observe teaching and learning and practice in context. You also need to obtain the necessary criminal record clearance for the setting and country in which you work. It is your responsibility and that of the educational setting to ensure you meet these requirements, not The Open University’s. You should contact the relevant agency in your country for more information if you are in doubt about your eligibility, or to find out more.

For Exploring perspectives on young children’s lives and learning (E109) you will need direct experience of working with young children (Birth to 7 years 11 months) and those not working with young children (employed or in a voluntary capacity) will need to negotiate opportunities to gain such practical experience.

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

2026/2027 academic year fees are not yet available.

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