BA (Hons) Childhood and Youth Studies
University of Portsmouth
Key Information
Campus location
Southsea, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 - 4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 9,250 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* for UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students/EU residents | £16,200/year: international students
Scholarships
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Introduction
Learn the skills and get the workplace experience you need to give children their best start in life – whatever their circumstances – on this Childhood and Youth studies degree.
You'll discover how factors such as the education system, youth culture, the Coronavirus pandemic and social media affect children's development. You’ll also have the chance to explore specialist topics such as outdoor education, safeguarding and the role of play in a child’s development.
Develop the knowledge and skills to support children with special educational needs (SEN) and those from a care background, making sure no child misses out on the educational and development opportunities available to them.
After the course, you’ll be set for a career supporting children and their families in youth work, social care and education.
Course highlights
- Get at least 60 hours of experience working with children in your second year with the option of a placement year between years 2 and 3
- Learn from lecturers with diverse professional backgrounds – from youth work and policing to teaching and SEN
- Gain current insights from your lecturers’ research on themes such as child bereavement, the impact of the pandemic on education and the role of digital tools in supporting learning and wellbeing
- Develop relationships with potential employers through events and workshops with organisations such as an immersive theatre company and a charity that helps children develop life skills through sport
- Build a professional portfolio featuring examples of your work – essential for standing out in the job market after the course
Endorsed by
You can choose modules that lead to the exit award BA Childhood and Youth Studies with Social Pedagogy. This pathway is endorsed by the Social Pedagogy Professional Association (SPPA), which means you can graduate as a "Social Pedagogy Practitioner".
This demonstrates that you meet the SPPA's Standards of Proficiency, central to developing a relationship-centred, dialogic practice that supports children and young people, particularly those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged.
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Modules
Year 1
Core modules
- Becoming a Researcher – 20 credits
- Child and Youth Development – 20 credits
- Educational Contexts – 20 credits
- Rights and Responsibilities – 20 credits
- Understanding Childhoods – 40 credits
Year 2
Core modules
- Global Childhoods – 20 credits
- Professional Practice with Children and Young People – 20 credits
- Research with Children and Young People – 20 credits
- Youth Culture – 20 credits
Optional modules
- Children’s Literature – 20 credits
- Children’s Social Minds – 20 credits
- Development of Learning – 20 credits
- Digital Natives – 20 credits
- Gender, Race and Education – 20 credits
- Introduction to Teaching – 20 credits
- Just Playing? – 20 credits
- Learning from Experience (LiFE) – 20 credits
- Modern Foreign Language (IWLP) – 20 credits
- Strategies for Social Change – 20 credits
- The Sociology of Education – 20 credits
- Understanding Personal Life – 20 credits
- Professional Experience – 20 credits
Sandwich year (optional)
Optional modules
- Work Placement Year – 120 credits
- Study Year Abroad – 120 credits
Year 3
Core modules
- Families in Need – 20 credits
- Young People’s Relationships and Aspirations – 20 credits
Optional modules
- Behaviour Matters – 20 credits
- Children and Young People with Severe Learning Difficulties – 20 credits
- Crime, Justice and Young People – 20 credits
- Fairytales and Folktales for Children – 20 credits
- Going Outside Pedagogies for Outdoor Learning – 20 credits
- Introduction to Teaching – 20 credits
- Issues Relating to Children and Young People’s Mental Health – 20 credits
- Who's in Charge? – 20 credits
- Won’t Read, Can’t Read: Failing Readers – 20 credits
- Working with Looked After Children – 20 credits
- Major Project – 40 credits
- Risk, Relationships And Responsibilities In Universal Safeguarding – 20 credits
- Aspiring Leaders And Managers – 20 credits
- Dissertation (Childhood Studies) – 40 credits
Placement year (optional)
In addition to your compulsory placements during year 2, you can also choose to do a paid work placement year in-between years 2 and 3. This lets you put your new skills to work while developing valuable links with employers.
However long you do a placement for, it’s fantastic for your CV and will really help you stand out when applying for jobs after graduation. Mentoring and support throughout your placement will help you to get the most from the experience.
Securing a placement
We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations. We have strong links with various placement providers, including colleges, schools, other educational institutions, and charities in the UK and abroad.
Previous placement destinations
Previous students have secured placement positions at organisations such as:
- Active Communities Network – a sport for development charity
- Home-Start – helping families through challenging times
- Pompey Pirates – doing reading and writing fun
- National Citizen Service – personal and social development for 16-17 year-olds
- Primary and secondary schools
- Motiv8 South – supporting life chances for young people
- Barnardos
Studying abroad
You can choose to use your placement year to extend your studies abroad. We have close links with universities in countries such as:
- Australia
- China
- Czech Republic
- Italy
- Panama
- Spain
- Sweden
Career Opportunities
There will always be a demand for skilled and knowledgeable professionals to work with children and young people.
As well as specialist expertise, this course helps you develop transferable skills valued by all kinds of employers, such as:
- teamworking
- communication
- self-organisation
- time management
- resilience
What areas can you work in with a childhood and youth studies degree?
After the course, you could work in areas such as:
- youth work
- social care
- educational welfare
- probation
- teaching (with further study)
- policing
Graduate destinations
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- nursery manager
- family support worker
- training assessor
- employability coordinator
- careers advisor
- teacher
- schools liaison officer
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get work experience while you study with support to find part-time jobs and volunteering opportunities. Towards the end of your degree and after graduation, you'll get 1-to-1 support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to find your perfect role. On top of this, you'll get bespoke careers to support through our faculty 'career-ready' programme.
Facilities
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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