BA (Hons)
Childhood and Youth Studies
Understanding what it means to be a child
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Are you interested in learning about what factors affect the lives of children and young people in today’s society? Focusing on school, home and social life, this multidisciplinary study draws on the issues of education, sociology, psychology, health, welfare and social policy.
You will study topics, ideas, models and theories relating to both past and present practice.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Volunteer at local schools or charities to gain work-based experience
- Attend lectures by guest speakers researching in the field
- Study current matters and debates with a team of enthusiastic lecturers most of whom have education or related professional experience
What opportunities might it lead to?
Studying in the School of Education and Continuing Studies can lead you onto a variety of career pathways, some of which may require postgraduate study. You will be able to apply for a range of roles in education, social care and health related areas.
Please note that this course does not provide Qualified Teacher Status.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- education and training
- youth work
- healthcare and health promotion
- social work
- the police
- work in the voluntary sector
I get to do a lot of placements on my course. At the moment I am in a primary school and I absolutely love it.
Claire Norman, BA (Hons) Childhood and Youth Studies student 2013
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- L590
- Duration
- 3 years full time
- Entry
240-300 points from 3 A levels or equivalent.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
International full-time students: £10,500 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- humanities.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 8299 - Department
- School of Education and Continuing Studies
Subject:
Education, Childhood and Youth Studies
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- Hands-on opportunities to work in a relevant educational setting
- The support available to all students
- The flexibility of unit options that enable you to tailor your study to your own interests
Browse all courses in Education, Childhood and Youth Studies
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
In your first year you will be introduced to a broad range of skills and knowledge that will support you throughout your study as well as units that focus on the nature of schooling and young people in the context of a changing society.
Core units in this year include:
- Introduction to Educational Contexts
- Health and Wellbeing of the Child and Young Person
- Child and Youth Development
- Family and Social Environments
- Developing Professional perspectives
- Diversity and Inclusion
Year two
As well as consolidating the themes covered in the first year, you will start to focus on a specific area of interest. You’ll also have the opportunity to experience paid or voluntary work with children and young people as part of the Faculty electives programme.
Core units in this year include:
- Professionals Involvement with Children and Young People
- Society and Representations of Youth Culture
- Research with Children and Young People - this unit provides the context for starting to think about your dissertation
Options include:
- Development of Learning
- Just Playing
- Childrens Literature
- Gender and Education
- Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood
- Digital Natives
- Languages (University Wide Option)
- Learning from Experience (Faculty Wide Option)
Year three
Your third year will give you the opportunity to specialise through your choice of dissertation topic and a further range of optional units.
Core units in this year include:
- Implications of Contemporary and Global Issues for Children and Young People
- Education, Society and the Curriculum
Options include:
- Young People, State and Society
- Who's in Charge?
- Behaviour Matters
- Learning from Experience
- Children with (severe) Learning Difficulties
- Mentoring and Coaching
- Creativity
- Issues Relating to Children and Young People's Mental Health
- Arts and Society
- Working with Looked After Children
Teaching and Assessment
We pride ourselves on the quality of teaching and student support on this course. Learning takes a variety of forms including group-based activities, seminars, tutorials, individual and group presentations, poster presentations, project work, e-learning activities and lectures.
How are you assessed?
We use a range of assessment methods to ensure that you reach your academic potential. Here’s how we assess your work:
- essays
- group and individual presentations/projects
- tests
- a 10,000-word dissertation
Tutor's view
Dr Sue Parfect
Childhood and Youth Studies
Students who choose to study Childhood and Youth Studies develop an insightful understanding of the complex world of 21st century children, young people and families and how they are supported by social and voluntary services.
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
SECS
School of Education and Continuing Studies
3rd Space
A social learning space for you to study
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment
Study in SECS
The School comprises a body of enthusiastic staff with a range of expertise in the professional and academic sectors. We offer a welcoming learning environment, in a location near the heart of town, the student buildings and the sea front.
3rd Space
A social learning space for you to study or meet up with friends. Small and large groups, or individuals looking for a quiet space or discuss work can find a quiet area which can be screened off. Alternatively, grab a coffee or play a game of pool in between lectures.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
You have the opportunity to embark on the Learning from Experience (LiFE) option, which allows you to gain valuable experience in the workplace.
Claire Pitkin, BA (Hons) Childhood and Youth Studies student 2012
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
You will have an array of employment options open to you. The course is excellent preparation for a career in teaching at either primary or secondary level, although as mentioned it does not provide Qualified Teacher Status so further study would be required.
However, this course is not just for aspiring teachers. You can also go down the route of educational research, educational publishing, youth or social work, plus many other commercial or public sectors career paths.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- training assessor
- teacher
- employability coordinator
- careers advisor
- schools liaison officer
Example of what one of our graduates has gone on to do:
- Youth Service, Trainee Youth Worker – running projects for young people
Work experience
This course allows you to take the Learning From Experience (LiFE) option, which lets you earn credits toward your degree for work / research placements, volunteer roles or internships undertaken alongside your studies. The option gives you the opportunity to enhance your employability skills, to reflect on the ways in which you've done so, and to learn to express this to potential employers.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
I am hoping to get a job in youth work. I am currently a volunteer with a youth offending team as a community referral order panel member, and I feel this course will open new opportunities for me.
Hildah Mapeta, BA (Hons) Childhood and Youth Studies student 2013
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more