Childhood Studies, BA (Hons)

Ideal if you have a strong interest in supporting and working with children and their families, this course provides the broad-base of knowledge and placement experience necessary to pursue a diverse range of careers.

With a broad subject area covering 0-12 years, this course can open the door to a variety of careers with children and young people. Whatever direction you choose to take you will have the solid foundation of knowledge and understanding employers are looking for.

Why choose this course?

You will benefit from:

• a wide knowledge of childhood allowing for a variety of career options
• international placement opportunities
• tailored assessment and support with no formal exams
• excellent facilities and experienced and enthusiastic tutors.

What our students say

"The course appealed to me as it gives you an overall insight into children and I was unsure of what career path to take but knew that I wanted to work with children."

Alyson Robson, BA (Hons) Childhood Studies

Read more about Alyson.

Any questions?

Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 4200
AskNTU

How many places are available on this course?

There are 90 places available on this course.

When does the course start?

Induction begins on the first Monday of Welcome Week. For entry in 2014 this will be Monday 22 September.

What will I study?

You study the holistic development, education and experiences of children and young adults from 0 – 12 years, through early childhood to adolescence, and undertake two work experience sessions.

In Year One the focus is on the child and its development, by examining their earliest learning experiences. In Year Two the focus is on developing an international perspective on childhood. You organise your own experience with other communities, either overseas or in the UK. In Year Three, these experiences are further extended through the taught modules and by undertaking a research dissertation focusing on children in a chosen setting.

Modules

Year One

• Becoming an Active Learner
• Communicating with Children and Families
• Early Learning in Context
• Diversity and Inclusion

Year Two

• Becoming a Researcher
• International and Community Perspectives
• Childhood as a Social Construct
• Optional module:
  • Developing Creative Skills
  • Learning in Nature
  • Skilful Communication
  • Makaton
  • Managing a Project.

Year Three

• Research Dissertation
• Leadership and Management
• Health and Well-being
• Learning and Assessment

Contact hours

In the first year, you will spend an average of between nine and ten hours a week in:

• lectures
• seminars
• tutorials

Lectures will build your subject knowledge and understanding, while tutorials and seminars provide an opportunity to discuss issues and ideas arising from your studies. The bulk of your time will be spent on independent study and placements. You are expected to have 88 hours across the year on placement.

How will I study?

We've introduced flexible and innovative ways of learning and teaching to develop your study skills and understanding of theory and practice. Methods include:

• seminars
• workshops
• small group or individual tutorials
• field study
• presentations
• directed or independent study tasks
• small-scale research
• eLearning.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment will be on your coursework and there are no formal exams during the course.

Academic support and guidance is provided through our tutor support structure. Regular tutor feedback is given on your work in order to help you improve, develop your skills and begin to plan for your future career.

View the full course specification
Please note that course specifications may be subject to change

You will be based in the Ada Byron King and Lionel Robbins buildings on our Clifton campus, an attractive self-contained greenfield site located on the outskirts of Nottingham.

Clifton campus boasts a large and well-stocked library with group and quiet study areas, modern lecture theatres and teaching rooms, IT resource rooms and Student Support Centre with a wealth of information and advice on careers and boosting your CV.

You will also find the Point bar and diner, a convenience store, refectory, bookshop, newly built accommodation, and recently extended sports facilities that include two gyms, a sports hall and an all-weather floodlit pitch, on-site.

You will find it easy to get out and about from Clifton campus. Our award-winning Go2 Uni 4 bus service runs every 12 minutes taking students to and from the campus to the City site, via the train and coach stations. With such excellent transport links many of our students choose to live in the city or at home and commute to Clifton.

Find out more about our Clifton campus, and view our campus tour video.