BA (Hons) Childhood and Youth Studies Level 6
The BA (Hons) Childhood and Youth Studies course is a top-up to convert the FdA Education and Childhood, FdA Working with Children, Young People and Families, Diploma in Education and Training (DET), or similar Level 5 qualifications into a full Honours Degree. The course consolidates the skills and knowledge you have previously acquired, whilst further developing your understanding of working practice.
The course is multidisciplinary in nature and studies of the complexities of contemporary childhood, youth and family life. You will study children and young people’s development in an ecological context, drawing upon a range of influential factors such as psychology, education, welfare, sociology, politics and economics.
The programme has been designed to equip you with the knowledge base and capabilities to excel in your chosen profession or alternative graduate opportunities. This is achieved through module content that is specific to particular areas of practice, which is then interpreted and developed through collaborative seminar discussion.
You will analyse and critically evaluate the processes that shape childhood and young people’s lives, exploring topics that cover the changing nature of childhood, ethical principles in relation to working practice and young people’s rights.
Please note, this course does not provide students with an Early Years Workforce license to practice.
![Child playing with Lego blocks](https://www.southdevon.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/caleb-woods-ecRuhwPIW7c-unsplash-768x512.jpg)
Course Details
- We will consider a variety of qualifications and relevant experience and each application is assessed on its own merit.
The taught modules cover a range of contemporary issues impacting on the lives of children and young people. The research dissertation module will enable you to undertake a piece of extended research on a topic of your choice within the field of education, social care and community support.
Full-time students
Children and young people who flourish (20 credits): Psychological exploration of the factors that enable children to thrive (e.g. positive self-worth, confidence, motivation and psychological wellbeing) and the things that might impact on that (e.g. adverse childhood experiences, poor relationships, mental health difficulties)
Representations of childhood and youth (20 credits): Considering how social, cultural, political, economic and historical factors have influenced children’s lives in the UK and around the world today.
Compassionate practitioners and leaders (20 credits): How you can be agents for change in children and young people’s lives. Exploring how practitioners and leaders use evidence to develop and implement positive change for the young people we support.
Contemporary issues in childhood and youth (20 credits): Exploring how contemporary issues (e.g. social justice movements such as Me Too, BLM, sustainability, LGBTQ+, crime, social media, poverty, Covid-19 and mental health etc.) impact children and young people’s lives.
Research Dissertation (40 credits): An extended research project throughout the year. With the support of your dissertation supervisor, you research a topic that is of interest to you, using a research design that you develop that meets the needs of the project and your approach.
Part-time students – Year 1
Children and young people who flourish (20 credits): Psychological exploration of the factors that enable children to thrive (e.g. positive self-worth, confidence, motivation and psychological wellbeing) and the things that might impact on that (e.g. adverse childhood experiences, poor relationships, mental health difficulties)
Compassionate practitioners and leaders (20 credits): How you can be agents for change in children and young people’s lives. Exploring how practitioners and leaders use evidence to develop and implement positive change for the young people we support.
Research Preparation (20-credits): An extended research project throughout your studies. With the support of your dissertation supervisor, you prepare to research a topic that is of interest to you by exploring current research and theory in the field and methods to undertake the research.
Part-time students – Year 2
Representations of childhood and youth (20 credits): Considering how social, cultural, political, economic and historical factors have influenced children’s lives in the UK and around the world today.
Contemporary issues in childhood and youth (20 credits): Exploring how contemporary issues (e.g. social justice movements such as Me Too, BLM, sustainability, LGBTQ+, crime, social media, poverty, Covid-19 and mental health etc.) impact children and young people’s lives.
Research Investigation (20-credits): Building on the preparation and planning you have undertaken in Year 1, with the continued support of your dissertation supervisor, this year you will carry out the research data collection and analysis and write up your findings and conclusions.
Please note this is not a JNC (Joint Negotiating Council) National Youth Agency accredited programme.
"I studied the Tourism and Tourism Certificate Level 3 and loved it. I feel like I have really learnt a lot from the course about the industry and the different jobs that are out there. Since being on the course learning about all the different jobs that there is and I am now going to be a travel agent. We have really supportive teachers. I am someone that struggles with dyslexia so there has been a lot of extra support for me from the teachers. We have a lot of our teaching resources online which is really nice because you can go after the lesson and read up on something you may not have understood properly. In class, it is a very supportive environment where you feel very welcome to ask questions which are answered really well. I feel like I have learned a lot and the lessons are always really engaging; it is never a boring time on the course and is definitely very enjoyable. We also do a lot of presentations on our course. There are lots of different types of presentations and written assignments which has helped me work on my confidence with public speaking. I now quite enjoy talking in front of people. I have learned a lot of customer service skills which I think is going to really help me in my future career as a travel agent with hopes to become a manager."Liv Legg