Children are at the forefront of policy and debate in our society. Headlines about children’s rights, the health and development of young people and how to protect the younger generation can often be found in the news. This course helps you understand the issues and gain some crucial insights into what shapes children’s lives from birth to age 19. We believe it’s not enough to study the issues affecting children, you also need to understand them from their perspective.

Why Childhood Studies?

• The course could be ideal if you’re looking to start a career in teaching, early years, social care or child and youth policy work. There are also plenty of other occupations relating to children, young people and families, and our Childhood Studies course is designed to help you take the first step towards your career.
• We’ll give you the chance to explore the nature of childhood and youth in contemporary society. The course will examine relevant social theory and research, and draw on current policy and practices out there in the real world. You’ll be able to bring your own experience to bear on the course too.
• Along the way you’ll look at childhood through the perspectives of psychology, sociology, philosophy and educational theories. You’ll also have opportunities to study health, wellbeing and development, social policy, how to protect vulnerable children and young people, youth identities and cultures, and children’s rights.
• The course will also help you build up transferable skills that employers are looking for, developing you as a critical thinker and helping you to understand and challenge current approaches and policy.
• While you’re here, you’ll be able to take a work placement of approximately 120 hours in your second year. It could be the ideal way to develop the skills that employers are looking for and gain useful contacts in the industry.
• The course received over 91% for overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2020.

Placements

You will take a compulsory placement of approximately 120 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.

Your Career

This course could enable you to consider a varied range of careers in education, including teaching, early years professional and learning support roles. Previous graduates have progressed as childcare workers, primary and early years teachers and teaching assistants, special needs support roles, play therapist 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 courses in this subject area at Huddersfield who are in work and/or further study fifteen months after graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 17/18, UK domiciled graduates)