Childhood and Youth Studies (W78)

Curious about what shapes childhood and youth in today’s world? This diploma gives you the tools to explore the lives of children and young people through a critical, real-world lens. You’ll develop your understanding of the factors influencing children and young people in a range of social and cultural contexts, and investigate the policies, practices and challenges that affect their lives. This engaging and wide-ranging interdisciplinary diploma is ideal for anyone working with children and young people or for those with a general interest in the field, whether you're aiming to progress your career or continue towards a full degree.

Key features of the course

• Spans the full age range from 0–24, offering insights into childhood and young adulthood

• Includes topics such as child development and psychology, international childhoods, and research with children and young people

• Explores the lives of children and young people from different perspectives, alongside students studying and working in diverse settings

• Relevant to a wide range of careers in childcare, education, health, and social care

• No work experience needed - practice-focused and ideal for career starters and changers, assessed by assignments and with no exams

This qualification has two stages, each comprising 120 credits. In Stage 1, you’ll study a module that brings together perspectives from psychology, anthropology and sociology on children's and young people's development. In Stage 2, you’ll study a module that explores what it means to be a child in today’s world. At each stage, you’ll also choose an optional complementary module that fits your needs and interests.