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Childhood Studies BA(Hons)

2024-25 (also available for 2025-26)

It’s not too late to apply for September.
It’s not too late to apply for September.

Start date

16 September 2024

Duration

3 years full-time

Entry requirements

A Level - BBC-BCC

BTEC - DMM-MMM

See full entry requirements

Places available (subject to change)

85

About the course

Reasons to study

  1. During your Childhood Studies BA(Hons) degree, you’ll be supported to find a relevant placement, giving you the chance to gain a minimum of 120 hours real-world experience in education, childcare or community settings. 
  2. Launch your career and explore future jobs with a Childhood Studies degree; previous graduates are childcare workers, primary school teachers, and social support workers*.
  3. This Childhood Studies degree will help you build the transferrable skills employers are looking for; upon successful completion, you might also consider pursuing further study, including a PGCE or other professional Master’s programmes. Previous students have gone on to do the MSc Social Work or MSc Child nursing courses

*Source: LinkedIn 

Children are at the forefront of policy and debate in our society. This course is designed, therefore, to help you understand the issues our children and young people face, by gaining crucial insight into what shapes children’s lives. By enrolling onto our Childhood Studies BA(Hons) course, you can make a potentially life-changing difference to the lives, health, and development of young people.

We welcome students from all backgrounds (including those who have chosen to retrain), and those on this BA(Hons) degree will gain access to a host of opportunities, learning from guest lecturers, and attending placements and field trips.

Why study Childhood Studies BA(Hons)

The course allows you to:

  • explore the nature of childhood and youth in contemporary society
  • examine relevant social theory and research
  • focus on current policy and practices.

You’ll explore children’s voices, too, as well as their wellbeing and development, social policy, children’s rights, youth identities and cultures, and how to protect vulnerable children and young people.

You’ll be supported to find a relevant placement, which will see you gain a minimum of 120 hours real-world experience in education, childcare or community settings. This will also help you hone the skills you glean on campus; containing a unique blend of theory and practical work, this early childhood degree can offer a clear pathway to a rewarding career. Previous graduates are early childhood workers, primary school teachers, and social support workers*, all possessing a wealth of skills gleaned on and off-campus – communication skills being key.

Following the degree, you might opt to pursue further study – including a PGCE or other professional Master’s programme. Previous students have gone on to MSc Social Work MSc Child nursing, if there is any room to out these in.

  • Source: LinkedIn

Course detail

Core modules:

Theories and Strategies for Learning

This module encourages the development of the academic study and communication skills necessary for successful study at degree level. Assessment typically includes preparing and delivering a presentation considering issues or theories related to your course of study and a portfolio of evidence of your developing research and academic skills.

Perspectives in Learning and Development

You’ll be introduced to the theories and research that underpin development and learning for children, young people and adults and consider key concepts in this area. Assessment typically involves the production of a display and a timed assessment.

Self, Society and Welfare

This module helps develop your understanding of society. You'll examine social issues in society, such as poverty and inequality, and how the state responds to them through ‘welfare’, as well as through ‘rights’ and ‘citizenship’. Assessment typically involves the completion of a timed assessment and a written assignment.

Contemporary Childhood Studies

This module explores concepts of childhood and youth and how psychology, sociology, history and philosophy contribute to understanding the experience of childhood. Assessment is typically via a practical element, based on your contribution to a class-based debate and written coursework.

Entry requirements

BBC-BCCat A Level or equivalent

112-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications or completion of a foundation course in early childhood or a related educational area

Merit at T Level

DMM-MMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

  • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above
  • 112-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications

In addition you must also:

  • have GCSE English Language at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme.
  • complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check towards the end of Year 1, ready for your placement in Year 2, and to highlight any potential issues during your first term.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

What's Childhood Studies like?


Meet Muhammed who's studying Childhood Studies BA(Hons)

Muhammed is in the second year of his Childhood Studies degree. This course is the perfect opportunity for Muhammed to work out through placement opportunities, support and studying with others to work out what age range he eventually wants to teach.

Placements


You will take a compulsory placement of approximately 80 hours in your second year. We can help link you with a placement setting either individually or as a member of a small group. You could gain experience in schools, children’s centres, nurseries, children’s services, young people's centres, community groups, in a local council, or in museum education for example. Your placement could be in Huddersfield or surrounding areas.

I worked at a children's centre working alongside family support workers. I shadowed family support workers and had one to one sessions with families and children. This was an amazing opportunity which gave me an insight into the real world.

Paul Baker

Maryam Hussain, graduated from Childhood Studies BA(Hons) in 2019

Your career


This course prepares you for a wide range of professional possibilities, including teaching, early years professional and learning support roles. Previous graduates have progressed as childcare practitioners, primary and early years teachers and teaching assistants, special needs support roles, play therapists and social support workers.**

Upon successful completion you may also consider pursuing further study, including a PGCE or other professional Master's programmes.

*Percentage of graduates from this course who are in work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2020/21, UK domiciled, other activities excluded).

**LinkedIn and Graduate Employment Market Statistics (GEMS).

80% graduates employed*

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

A wide range of resources are also offered within the School of Education and Professional Development, which you would be a part of should you decide to study this course. The school provides you with support in a variety of areas, these include:

Student Support Office (iPoint): a one-stop-shop for students, studying within the School. Here you can get help and advice, including checking your timetable, finding a tutor, handing in assessments. We can also refer you to other departments within the University such as, student finance, student services etc.

Academic Skills Tutor: provides guidance about how you can develop your academic skills in order to improve your grades. We provide support with general academic skills including essay writing, time management, presentations and group work skills; information technology and numeracy; research skills, as well as personal development for example confidence building and assertiveness. 

Student Support Officer: provides confidential and impartial advice on welfare and course related issues.

Placements, Employability and Partnerships An enormous part of your learning takes place whilst on placement.  To help you get the best possible experience we operate an extensive professional network giving you the opportunity to access a wide range of high quality placement providers. Our professional network includes links with local authorities, schools, colleges, early years settings, voluntary organisations, youth services and youth offending teams to offer you real-life experience whilst you study. Our placements team offer you help to find your placement and support you through it.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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