Childhood, Youth and Education Studies BA (Hons)

 

Course Code

UCAS Code: L591
International Code: HLSU190

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

 

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

Start date

September 2022

How to apply
Book an Open Day
Download a prospectus
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Course overview

Study level: Undergraduate

A Childhood, Youth and Education Studies degree can open the door to a range of rewarding areas of practice working with children and young people.

  • The course is designed to harness a practice readiness approach, where the opportunity to potentially secure professional placements* in a children and young people’s setting provides the opportunity to enhance your ability to secure work after successfully graduating.
  • Access to a course team who currently have first-hand practice experience in various settings, including sociology, psychology, education, social work, careers guidance, youth and community work, in addition to being actively engaged in research and writing in these areas. Please note, the course team is subject to change.
  • Opportunity to apply for a sandwich year to study or work in the UK or abroad*. Former students have undertaken a year-long sandwich year placement (between second and third years of study) within areas such as Great Ormond St Hospital (Play Therapy), Primary School TA (SEN), disability support, and formal and informal educational settings.
  • Excellent current relationships with organisations who work with children and young people across the city and West Midlands region.
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Global Ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities
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Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
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Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

If you are passionate about achieving the best outcomes for children and young people and you want the opportunity to learn alongside like-minded people in an innovative learning environment, then the Childhood, Youth and Education Studies BA (Hons) degree-level course, aims to both excite and challenge you. Our course is designed to offer you a flexible learning experience where you will have the opportunity to tailor your learning so that you have the chance to develop the knowledge, skills and experience needed to pursue a particular area of work upon successful completion, with children and young people you are most passionate about.

Investing in the education of children and young people is essential for the growth of individuals and communities that flourish. The Childhood, Youth and Education Studies BA (Hons) course is designed for people who want the opportunity to contribute to the learning and development of children and young people in a variety of educational settings, upon successful completion.

On the course you will have the opportunity to explore important areas of educational practice, formal and informal, through both in-class learning and practical work experience.* You have the opportunity to learn from academics and practice partners who currently collectively have experience across a range of relevant areas of study and practice. Over the course of your studies, you will also have the opportunity to take part in a range of exciting international and UK based educational experiences.*

Abi, a Childhood and Youth Studies graduate talks about her career and how her placements during the course made a big difference.

What our alumni say

Coventry has equipped me with both the theoretical and practical knowledge I need in my career. My experience has made me love learning and pursuing knowledge.

Abigail Hutton, Childhood and Youth Studies BA (Hons) graduated in 2019
Students talking in a classroom

What you'll study

The first year will introduce you to the key themes within the degree course, including childhood and youth in context, theory and practice of education and skills required for working with children and young people. You should begin to develop an understanding of some of the challenges faced by children and young people including safeguarding, exclusion, and social justice. You will also consider the impact of digital media, technology and popular culture on children and young people’s development.

Modules

  • You will explore educational practice in context, considering notions and definitions of ‘childhood’, ‘youth’ and ‘education’; and the political, economic, social and technological factors that inform such definitions. In addition, you will examine the challenges and inequalities faced by children and young people, particularly in relation to poverty, health and social mobility. The module should also enable you to explore the ways in which services have evolved in response to the changing needs of children and young people, and how children and young people themselves have responded to the issues and challenges they face. You will also have the opportunity to explore the range of service provision for children and young people, at both national and international levels.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: Coursework and presentation

  • You will explore and should gain an understanding of diverse theoretical approaches to education, including pedagogies which inform the process of education. Insights will be drawn from practitioners who are working in educational contexts (e.g., schools, extended learning centres, youth centres), whilst creating opportunities for real world learning to support you to apply theory to practice.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: Coursework

  • This module aims to develop your academic and reflective skills and will introduce the concepts of personal and professional development. It should enable you to develop reflective practice in relation to personal and professional learning and development which is threaded throughout the course. This will particularly focus on the aim of developing and understanding your own learning needs and progress as well as ways of approaching challenge and change.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: Portfolio

  • This module will focus on the theoretical knowledge, methods, and skills needed to work with individual and groups of children and/or young people in a range of educational contexts and developmental phases. It will enable you to explore values-based practice whilst providing the opportunity to develop an emerging sense of your own values-base and explore how it informs your practice. The module is designed to enable you the chance to develop a range of skills needed to work with individuals and groups, which aims prepare you for your practice modules. In addition, the module will evaluate the processes and dynamics of individual and group working, which should enable you to apply this knowledge in practice, upon successful completion.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: Project

  • This module provides you with an introduction to curricula and its use across a range of educational settings. It will give you the opportunity to explore the concept of 'curriculum' and the different types and approaches, such as curricula as bodies of knowledge, products, and processes. In this module you will also consider the use and application of different curricula across a range of educational contexts. You will explore the implications of political agendas and philosophical perspectives on the design and delivery of curricula and the role of assessment. As such, you should develop skills, including an awareness of role, in relation to the development of educational experiences across a range of educational contexts.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: Coursework

  • You will be introduced to safeguarding as a key aspect of practice in working with children, young people and their families across a range of contexts. This includes exploration of policy, practice and research which should help you to develop an understanding of how safeguarding is practised and constructed. Broader categories of abuse and neglect will be considered, whilst examining factors which may exacerbate risks. SCR’s (serious case reviews) and legislation (including local frameworks) which seek to protect and promote the welfare of children and young people will be discussed in the view of illustrating the breadth of presenting factors. You will also explore multidisciplinary ways of working towards effective safeguarding of children, young people and their families.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: Coursework

  • You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: Coursework and exam

The second year builds on the first-year themes, exploring the major disciplines of psychology and sociology, and approaches to research within these disciplines. The module in Health should further enable you to explore how these discipline areas may apply to current issues surrounding children and young people’s health and wellbeing.
The research module offers the opportunity to develop an individual research proposal focusing on a topic or issue you feel passionate about.

The second year also includes a professional experience placement*, spanning the whole of the first semester in a children and young people’s setting. The types of placements that may be available vary significantly, reflecting the range of interests on the course, but you will have the opportunity to access a range of practical support and signposting to help you to find the right placement for you. Examples of work undertaken by previous students include teaching and/or SEN support within primary school settings, pastoral and mentoring in secondary schools, youth support work within community and institutional settings, and play therapy work within hospitals.

Modules

  • This practice-based module is designed to enable you to explore an area of practice which includes educational working with children and/or young people. You should have the opportunity to develop and apply your knowledge and skills in a practice setting, which should develop and enhance your understanding. The module will introduce you to principles of practice including ethical codes and competence frameworks, which aims to help you to develop your employability skills and gain an insight into the current roles working with children/ young people. You will be given support in finding your own placement* in an appropriate area of relevance to your personal interests. After your placement you will be asked to submit an assessed piece of work on your placement module through a ‘portfolio’ which is multi-faceted in comprising of reflection, observation, academic essay and journaling, which is designed to enable you the chance to relate your experiences to your studies and recognise the learning you have undertaken on placement.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: Portfolio

  • You will explore the value of sociology in understanding children and young people’s place in society and, in particular, how sociological understandings might inform the development of effective educational practice interventions aimed at supporting children and young people, including the most marginalised and vulnerable children and young people. Throughout the module you are encouraged to link experiences of educational practice settings with the insights from sociological theory. Specifically, you should begin to understand the centrality of the contribution which sociology makes to professional practice, in the global age.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: Coursework

  • This module enables you the opportunity to gain theoretical knowledge about traditional and contemporary psychological theory and research that will inform educational practices with children and young people. You will have the opportunity to apply psychological theory and research to understanding and promoting children and young people’s development. You will explore issues, such as conformity, self and social understanding, and prejudice, which affects individual and group behaviour. This module aims to develop your understanding of current psychological interventions used to promote learning and development in educational contexts across national and international contexts.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: Scenario-based exercise/psychological report

  • The overall aim of this module is to provide you with a solid grounding in the core skills and knowledge involved in researching educational practices and contexts. Teaching will focus on providing you with the opportunities to explore a conceptual understanding of formulating research questions, effective research design, selecting appropriate research methods, and considering relevant ethical concerns. Content will cover both qualitative and quantitative research methods and contemporary research examples will be drawn on throughout to encourage you to engage with the use of research studies as an evidence-base for educational practice. You will be encouraged to explore international perspectives and research examples on children, young people, and education.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: Coursework

  • This module encourages you to develop an awareness of current health (physical and psychological) needs of children and young people, including the services that respond to these needs, both internationally and in the U.K. It also aims to develop your understanding of prevention, intervention, and promotion of health. It should further provide you with the opportunity to develop an understanding of theoretical models of health and their implications for practitioners.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: Coursework

  • You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: Coursework and exam

After your second year, you have the opportunity to spend a year on professional placement or studying abroad.

Modules

  • Optional

  • Optional

The final year will include a second professional experience placement, which may be undertaken in the UK or abroad. Modules in year three are designed to highlight the special and inclusive educational needs of children and young people and offer further exploration of contemporary theories, policies and practices aligned closely to your chosen career pathway upon graduation. Your studies will culminate in the completion of an independent research project, your dissertation. Past students have examined topics as varied as: attitudes to Special Educational Needs (SEN) within the Bengali community, cyber bullying amongst primary aged children, gang violence in Birmingham or educational attainment within Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.

Modules

  • The aim of this practice-based module is to enable you the opportunity to gain further practice experience in your chosen education related setting with children and young people upon graduation. You will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills to a real-life setting, drawing on your learning from across the degree course. You should develop personal and professional insight into the evolving landscape of childhood, youth, and education practice.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: Portfolio

  • This module will explore theoretical perspectives and models of disability, to understand special education and inclusive education, and the differences in their approaches to understanding and meeting SEN. It enables you the chance to develop an understanding of the theory, policy and legislation, and practices involved in meeting the needs and facilitating the inclusion of students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and/or disabilities in educational settings. The policy and legislative context, as well as practice requirements for special and inclusive education will be examined within the UK and internationally.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: Coursework

  • In this module you will consider emergent theory, policy, and practice in relation to support services and educational provision for children and young people. You will be encouraged to identify and explore transitions, challenges and changes in contemporary public policy and its impact on practice, including the relationship between private sector, third sector and state provision. You will also consider international perspectives, to examine the ways in which various societies are seeking to tackle or enhance educational outcomes, and in relation to issues of poverty, inequality, health and well-being and social mobility.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: Coursework

  • This module gives you the opportunity to develop and demonstrate the ability to establish, investigate and report on a specialised area of professional interest relevant to childhood, youth and education. The choice of topic will be determined by your personal interest and relevance to professional practice. The module makes an important contribution to providing you with the opportunity to enhance your understanding of the important challenges faced by children, young people, and practitioners in their chosen area of practice.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: Coursework

  • You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: Coursework and exam

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

The current teaching team is drawn from a wide variety of subject areas, such as psychology, education, youth and community work, which is designed to help to enrich your learning experience by offering a range of different professional perspectives. A number of the current teaching team also hold academic and professional qualifications, such as teaching, youth work and social work qualifications. Please note that staff are subject to change.

We have developed a range of interactive online resources. We also usually organise practical sessions, in groups and virtually using online documents, incorporating the ‘Problem-Based Learning’ approach, where you, supervised and assisted by a tutor, have the chance to seek solutions to real-life problems. Other modules have previously made use of role play as a tool to simulate live practice experience of safeguarding children and young people for example, participating in a simulated professional multi-agency meeting.

You’ll have the opportunity to hear from a range of guest speakers (subject to availability). In 2019 and 2020, these included experts in special educational needs, child protection, children and young people’s health and youth violence, from a broad range of statutory and voluntary sector organisations within the UK and abroad.

We pledge to continue to deliver as much face-to-face teaching and learning on campus as possible. This generally breaks down as:

  • Personal tutorial/small group teaching: You will have the opportunity to meet with your Academic Personal Tutor (APT) on a regular basis to discuss your progress and raise any issues with which you require support. Your APT is also available for one-to-one appointments upon request during their weekly office hours (subject to availability).
  • Medium group teaching: 2-4 hours of workshops or seminars each week.
  • Large group teaching: 8-10 hours of lectures each week.

Some ‘contact’ hours may take the form of synchronous online learning (e.g. live online lectures, meeting tutors via video calling etc).

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which can vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include coursework which may take the form of academic essays, reflective essays, a portfolio assessing placement, oral presentations and poster presentations.

This course is predominantly assessed by coursework.

Job ready

The course is designed to harness a practice readiness approach, whereby the opportunity to potentially secure professional placements* in a children and young people’s setting and support from the Talent Team provides the opportunity to enhance your ability to secure work after successfully graduating.

International experience opportunities

Teaching across all subject areas is designed to be informed by international perspectives, and each year you may have the opportunity to take part in a range of international field trips*. In the past, former students have spent a week in South Africa, attending a range of settings in the Townships, including schools and youth clubs. On other occasions, they visited both Stenden University in the Netherlands and University of Graz in Austria. These involved visiting a range of educational and social care projects and attending local lectures to study and experience practice in an international context.

In your third year, your professional experience placement can be done within the UK or internationally*. We currently have contacts with a range of placement settings including schools, children’s centres and youth clubs across the globe, in places, such as South Africa, Spain, USA, Malta, Austria, Finland, and the Netherlands (these contacts are subject to change).

We currently have a Student Exchange Agreement with Laurea University in Finland and Calabria in Italy, where you may have an opportunity to choose to work or study. We have also developed a range of associations with institutions across the globe which currently include: The University of Graz in Austria, Stenden University in Netherlands, Stenden University in South Africa, Newton Paiva in Brazil, Laurea and Metropolia Universities in Finland, Calabria University in Italy, St. Petersburg University in Russia, Loyola College in India, and the Belarusian State Pedagogical University (subject to change).

This course allows you to explore different avenues around working with children and young people, in order to have a better idea of exactly what you would like to do in the future, and with which age group you prefer working with/are better suited to.

Cristina Roberts, Childhood and Youth Studies BA (Hons) graduated in 2020
Students in a classroom with lecturer

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2022 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
A level BBB - BCC
GCSE 5 GCSE's grade 9-4 / A*-C or above including English Language and Mathematics
BTEC DDM - DMM
IB Diploma 27 points

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Are you eligible for the Fair Access Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background.

Fair Access Scheme

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Europe

Americas

Middle East

South Asia

South East Asia

East Asia

Africa

Russia and Central Asia

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation year. Upon successful completion our International Foundation Year - Public Health will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

2022/23 Tuition fees

Student Full time Part time
UK £9,250 per year Not available
International £15,300 per year Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

Facilities

The Alison Gingell Building provides facilities for teaching and research, featuring two full-size homes which can be used for workshops mimicking working scenarios with children, young people and their families.

Community houses students

Community houses

The Alison Gingell Building features two full-size residential homes. Our students use these to simulate working scenarios with different client groups.

 

 

The Library entrance students walking in and out

The Library

The Lanchester Library has a team of dedicated academic liaison librarians to give you specialist help and support. You’ll also have access to subject-specific databases of journal articles related to social work, social sciences, health and education.

Academic support staff assisting student at desk

Academic support

No matter which degree you’re studying, you’ll find a lot of support on campus, including the Centre of Academic Writing and sigma, which offers mathematics and statistics support.

 

 

Careers and opportunities

The practical nature of the course means, upon successful graduation, you should have substantial placement experience, practical knowledge and problem-solving skills which can support a move into a range of different child-related professions or to study towards further professional qualifications, such as the PGCE if you would like to enter teaching, or an MA in Social Work if a career as a social worker appeals. There are also opportunities to branch out into other postgraduate courses such as MSc Psychology, for those interested in pursuing Educational Psychology. Please note further study opportunities are subject to competitive application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements, and additional costs may apply.

Past students who have successfully completed this course have had the opportunity to enter directly into a range of exciting roles in a range of settings. Examples of these include teaching assistant, SEN support officer, learning mentor, LAC (looked after child) advocate, youth worker, child and family support worker, children and young person’s case worker, children’s residential worker, as well as potentially setting up your own social enterprise.

Coventry University is committed to helping you to prepare for your future career and giving you the opportunity to develop a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university's Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career upon graduation.

Where our graduates work

Previous graduates have gone on to be employed in a range of practice settings including primary schools, children’s services, family support, residential care and local and national children and young people’s charities.

Further study

You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with the Social Work MA. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

How to apply

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Your next steps

Student life
Accommodation
Fees and funding

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  • Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2021/22 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

    Tuition fees

    The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.

    For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.

    Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. 

    Facilities

    Facilities mentioned on this page may not be relevant for every course. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    Placements and study abroad opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.

    Additional costs

    This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to), equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas).