Childhood, Youth and Education Studies BA (Hons)

Undergraduate

Children laughing as they run across a playing field.

Develop the knowledge and skills needed to support children, young people and communities in meaningful and informed ways.

Course option

Degree with foundation year

Year of entry

2026-27 2027-28

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

UCAS codes

L591

Start date

September 2027
November 2027
January 2028
March 2028
May 2028
July 2028

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

Your UCAS Guide

Course overview

Prepare for a range of careers supporting children and young people by studying a transdisciplinary mix of subject areas, including the sociology and psychology of childhood, risks to children's attainment and wellbeing, and professional skills needed to work effectively in this field.

Contemporary curriculum: by gaining an understanding of contemporary issues for children and young people, you should learn how to support their education and wellbeing in the context of a rapidly changing world.
Make a difference: develop the knowledge, skills and attributes required to support and promote the development of children and young people.
Take control: choose from a range of topics within modules to focus on areas that align with your interests. Interactive workshops and individual and group tutorials will facilitate your learning.
Learn by doing: the course provides opportunities for practical application of your learning, helping you to develop key employability skills and link theory and practice. See modules and teaching contact hours sections for more information.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2026

Why you should study this course

Diverse career paths: this course aims to prepare you for various careers including teacher training, youth and community work, family support, social work and more.
Innovative learning environment: learn in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment with like-minded peers, fostering both personal and professional growth.
Project-based learning: actively engage in real-world, meaningful projects. Work on complex problems, create tangible solutions and develop essential skills such as critical thinking, collaboration and communication. Assessments are designed to replicate the type of work and tasks carried out by people working with children and young people. You will design interventions, present to audiences, and produce reports and vlogs that showcase your expertise and real-world readiness.
Global perspective: an international focus aims to broaden your understanding of childhood and youth education from a global standpoint.
Expert insights: engage with guest speakers and professionals from fields such as special educational needs, child protection and youth work.²

What you'll study

Modules

Childhood in a Global Context – 30 credits

This module explores concepts of childhood and youth, focusing on their definitions, perceptions, and the global factors that shape them, such as political, economic, social, and technological influences. It examines children's lives, opportunities, challenges and inequalities, and includes issues like poverty, health and social mobility. You will also consider changes in education and services for children and young people while developing your reflective practice and academic writing skills.

Compulsory

Safeguarding Children and Young People – 30 credits

This module focuses on safeguarding as a critical aspect of working with children, young people and families across different settings. It will explore policies, research and practices that shape safeguarding, while examining how attitudes influence perceptions of vulnerability and risk. This module will cover abuse and neglect, child safeguarding practice reviews, relevant legislation and multidisciplinary approaches to safeguarding.

Compulsory

Theories of Education – 30 credits

This module explores how learning is facilitated in education, focusing on supporting children and young people’s learning. It encourages you to assess learning needs through various theoretical perspectives. Examine context-specific education, theories and models while developing skills to design learning experiences in diverse settings.

Compulsory

Skills for Teaching and Learning – 30 credits

This module aims to help you understand global challenges and explore solutions through innovation and creativity, focusing on services for children and young people. You will critically assess ways to address inequalities such as gender, ethnicity and poverty. Real-world examples will highlight successful strategies for positive change, while also fostering skills in social responsibility, global competence and diversity and inclusion.

Compulsory

Modules

Special and Inclusive Education – 30 credits

This module will critically explore theoretical perspectives and models of disability, aimed at enhancing your understanding of special and inclusive education. Examine the differences in approaches to special educational needs (SEN) and gain insights into relevant research, theories, policies, legislation and practices. This module will also analyse UK and international policy frameworks and practical considerations for supporting the inclusion of students with SEN and/or disabilities in education.

Critically examine theoretical perspectives of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their impact on practice across diverse services for children and young people. Explore the role of key stakeholders, including education and youth justice, in identifying, supporting and addressing SEND. Engage with UK and international policy, legislation and inclusivity practices.

Compulsory

Developing Professional Experience – 30 credits

Learn to develop key professional competencies that foster children’s and young people’s learning. Gain practical experience and enhance your understanding of research, theories, principles and ethical frameworks in education and development. Taught sessions will focus on building skills for effective work with children, families and colleagues. Reflective practices will guide you in assessing and improving your professional growth.²

Compulsory

Sociological Perspectives of Childhood and Youth – 30 credits

This module examines both classic and contemporary sociological concepts, linking them to the lived experiences of education and professional practice. It emphasises the role of sociology in understanding the place of children and young people in society. By exploring these perspectives, you should develop your critical thinking skills and learn how evidence-based insights can inform educational interventions, particularly for marginalised or vulnerable groups.

Compulsory

The Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People – 30 credits

This module fosters a critical awareness of the current health (physical and psychological) challenges faced by children and young people, exploring the services that address these needs within the UK and globally. It aims to enhance your understanding of health prevention, intervention and promotion. Module content will also consider theoretical models of health and examine their implications for practitioners.

Compulsory

A placement year² provides optional first-hand industry experience and helps you discover where your skills and interests truly lie. Taken between your second and final years, it allows you to step into a professional environment, apply your learning and gain valuable insight into your chosen sector.

By spending an extended period in industry, you should develop confidence, build professional networks and strengthen the transferable skills that employers value most. This experience offers a powerful way to explore career paths and return to your final year with real-world expertise and a clearer sense of direction.

Key opportunities

Complete an approved work placement: gain practical experience aligned with your course and career ambitions, typically lasting at least 26 weeks.
Reflect on professional development: recognise and document the specific skills, knowledge and experience you gain during your time in industry.
Broaden your global perspective: optionally undertake an international work or study placement to experience a different professional or cultural context.

While this optional year is non-credit-bearing, successful completion ensures your experience is formally recognised on your final degree certificate to showcase your expertise to future employers.

Students sponsored by the University who opt for an international work placement must ensure they comply with the UKVI immigration regulations and should contact us for further guidance.

Modules

Psychological Interventions and Evidence-based Practice – 30 credits

Gain a deep understanding of children's and young people's psychological development across various practice settings. Apply psychological interventions informed by theory and research to promote growth. Covers both traditional and contemporary psychological theories, guiding you in educational contexts. Key topics include conformity, self-identity, social understanding and prejudice, as well as current interventions that support learning and development globally.

Compulsory

Enhancing Professional Experience – 30 credits

This module aims to enhance your employability in an education-related field, supporting critical reflection on skills, knowledge and career goals. You will work with children and/or young people, applying their learning to real-world scenarios. This module aims to strengthen your professional identity and encourage reflective practice linked to academic theory with real-life experiences, deepening personal and professional insight into childhood, youth and education.²

Compulsory

International and Comparative Perspectives – 30 credits

This module encourages you to critically analyse contemporary theories, policies and practices in support services and education for children and young people. It explores key transitions, challenges and societal differences in childhood and youth, both nationally and internationally. Reflect on personal and professional experiences while examining the impact of socio-political and cultural factors.²

Compulsory

Innovation, Creativity and Leadership – 30 credits

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content to keep it relevant and current for our students. Consequently, we may update modules to reflect the latest industry standards.

This course has given me the knowledge, practical experience, and confidence to thrive in my career. The lecturers are experienced professionals who genuinely care and go above and beyond to support every student.

It’s more than just a degree – it’s a transformative journey that prepares you to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people
Lynne Coombes, Childhood Studies student, 2025

How you'll learn

Learn through hands-on activities and real-world examples, using the same approaches professionals use in the field. It’s all about helping you build the skills you need to feel confident and prepared for your future career.

Teaching methods may include:

Interactive workshops where you’ll take part in group discussions, explore case studies and connect learning to real-life situations
independent learning and group projects
placement experiences working with children and young people across a range of schools and community organisations²
role plays to practise professional situations and develop key skills in a supportive environment
guest lectures from professionals in education, youth work and health, offering insight into career pathways and networking opportunities.²

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average, you will have between 12 and 15 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course incorporates new and innovative assessment methods aligned with current industry standards, designed to provide you with practical, real-world skills to advance your professional readiness and career prospects.

Assessment methods may include:

posters
vlogs
case study reports
portfolios
presentations
reflective journals
structured written projects
interviews.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement	What we're looking for
UCAS points	104
A level	BCC, excludes General Studies
GCSE	GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards
BTEC	DMM
T level	Overall grade of Merit in the T level qualification in any subject.
IB Diploma	27 points
Access to HE	The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits at Merit or higher. Plus GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 / C or above

You will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check/criminal records disclosure for all placements. Select placement opportunities may also require you to pass an advanced DBS check, but this is up to the discretion of the individual placement. The University is, therefore, unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

For more information see DBS Checks for Students.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual/Fair Access Offers

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Offer, you could automatically receive a contextual offer which is 16 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Offer.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

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

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.

For more information see DBS Checks for Students.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 overall, with at least 5.5 in each component area

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.

Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK	2027/28 fees TBC 2026/27 fees: £9,790 per year	Not available
International	2027/28 fees TBC 2026/27 fees: £17,600 per year	Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement² or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee³ to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2028/29 will pay £1,575 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,900 if they are paying international fees.

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.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the table above for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university 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 the Retail Price Index (RPI), a UK measure of inflation that tracks changes in the cost of living.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement or study abroad year, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2028/29. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above RPI.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) you may be charged the tuition fees in force at the time you take that additional period of study, and/or in line with any legislative changes that apply at that time.

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.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad) which may include costs of travel, accommodation, equipment or uniform required for the placement and any visa-related costs.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We assess your fee status using the information in your application. This status determines your tuition fees and the scholarships or financial support you can get. The Department for Education sets the rules for who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees in England.

The regulations list which students can pay the home fee rate. Because these rules are complex, the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides fee status guidance to help you find the right category. If you meet all the criteria for one category, your institution must charge you the home rate.

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.

Students participating in a role play scenario in the community house

Community houses

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

Students walking in and out of the library entrance.

Lanchester 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

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.

Facilities are subject to availability⁴. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

Throughout the course, you should develop a broad range of highly valued skills to reflect the changing needs of industry, including exceptional communication, project planning, critical thinking and analysis, problem-solving and powerful presentation and listening skills.

The practical nature of this course means that on successful graduation, you should have substantial placement experience and the practical knowledge and problem-solving skills needed to move into a range of different child-related professions. You may also decide to study further professional qualifications such as a postgraduate certificate in education, a master's degree in social work or a master’s degree in psychology.

Graduates of this course have entered directly into a range of exciting roles in various settings, including the following:

Teaching assistant
Play specialist in a primary school
SENCO
Learning mentor
LAC (Look After Child) advisor
Youth worker
Children and support family worker
Children and young people’s case worker
Children’s residential worker (therapeutic).

The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

Where our graduates work

Graduates have gone on to be employed in a range of practice settings and roles:

Primary school teacher (with a PGCE or equivalent training)
Teaching assistant
Special Educational Needs (SEN) support worker
Early years practitioner
Education welfare officer
Project officer for child or youth charities
Campaign or policy officer (children’s rights, education, etc.)
Advocacy worker for vulnerable youth
Education policy advisor.

Further study

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.

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How to apply

BA (Hons) with foundation year

Apply via UCAS

C85

Institution code

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

UK students

You can now register and start your application in your UCAS Hub. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 6565

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
CASU023

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 6565

ioadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University, Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

Some 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. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the University maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. Before seeking an overseas placement, read our visa advice page.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first academic year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year.

For UK (home) students, if the Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University 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.

For international students, we may increase fees annually but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (for example to repeat a year or resit examinations) you may be charged the tuition fees in force at the time you take that additional period of study, and/or in line with any legislative changes that apply at that time.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised. Availability and access may be reduced or restricted when the University is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders or internal health and safety requirements.

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 current 2025/26 contract is available for information purposes only. The 2027/28 contract will apply to the 2027/28 intakes and may differ from the current version. 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 applicable Student Contract carefully before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the University.