Childhood Studies

This exciting interdisciplinary degree allows you to gain a broad understanding of childhood and youth, helping you to pursue a wide range of careers. These include working directly with children, working with young people and families, primary teaching, social work, local government and charity sector roles.

Our BA Childhood Studies examines different cultural constructions of childhood and youth and the impact on lived realities in different contexts. Taking a child-centred approach, we encourage you to consider the rights and perspectives of children on all of the matters that affect them.

You’ll have an opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding through four interconnected themes of study:

• Research

• Child Development

• Children’s Rights, Social Justice and Policy

• Sociology of Childhood

A choice of optional modules allows you to explore and discover your own interests. You'll also have the opportunity to gain practical experience of working with children and young people.

In your second year you can choose our optional Teaching and Learning in Primary and Early Years module. This allows you to build your experience of designing learning resources for children, and try them out in practical contexts.

In your final year you can also choose our optional Students in Education module. This allows you to gain experience from real-life education settings, working alongside teachers or other education professionals. You’ll explore a range of formal and informal education settings, consider the many places in which education occurs and reflect on different approaches to teaching and learning.