BA (Hons) in Childhood and Youth Studies University of Winchester

• Learn to link theory and policy with practice, making you more attractive to employers
• Gain real insight and learning from experienced tutors and highly-respected practitioners
• Pursue a rewarding career path where you can make a real impact

Our broad-focused BA in Childhood and Youth Studies is a highly-rewarding course. It prepares you to have a positive impact on the learning, development, health and well-being of children and their families across all sectors.

The programme has children and young people at its centre and draws on expertise from a wide range of relevant disciplines including education, health, sociology, psychology, criminology and social care.

You develop a holistic understanding of the knowledge and skills needed for multidisciplinary and team working alongside children in a range of communities and work settings. These include children’s centres, schools, youth clubs and special educational care settings. This enables you to link theory and policy with practice, which ultimately increases your employability. In fact, our course was developed to meet the growing demand for well-qualified specialists to work in education, youth offending, healthcare, safeguarding, youth and community work.

We provide outstanding knowledge and skills development for those who wish to work in this stimulating field. The programme is taught by an experienced and enthusiastic team of tutors with extensive professional expertise in education, health promotion, community development, social work and more. Recent students have praised staff for their abilities to explain subjects clearly and make them interesting as well as being available for advice and support. In addition, you learn from highly-respected practitioners.

In Year 1, you study child development, contrasting formal and informal learning, inequalities, health promotion and community development.

In Years 2 and 3, this flexible degree enables you to explore particular age groups or specialisms such as education or health and the effects these may have on children’s development. Mandatory modules include Emotional Health and Wellbeing, Researching Children, Working to Safeguard Children and Young People Rewilding Childhood in a Digital Age. A good range of optional modules includes Early Years Curriculum, Children and Young People’s Mental Health, Sexual Health and Wellbeing, Substance Use and Misuse, Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education (PSHE, Young People and Crime and Working with Young People.

Our graduates develop excellent communication, negotiation and leadership skills and enter careers in a diverse range of exciting sectors. These include charities and voluntary organisations, community work, education, health services, leisure and arts projects, policing and children’s services.

Year 1 (Level 4)

• Understanding Childhood and Adolescence 15
• Skills for HE and Professional Practice 15
• Learning Contexts Beyond the Classroom 15
• Communicating with Groups and Individuals 15
• Understanding Inequality 15
• Understanding Children and Young People’s Behaviour 15
• Health Promotion 15
• Introduction to Communities 15

Year 2 (Level 5)

• Children and Poverty 15
• Working to Safeguard Children 15
• Researching Children and Young People 15
• Transitions for Children, Young People and Families 15
• Inclusive Practice with Children and Young People 15
• Emotional Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People 15

Year 2 Optional Modules

• Education and Social Justice - 15 Credits
• Volunteering in the Children and Young People’s Sector - 15 Credits
• Health and Wellbeing for Young People - 15 Credits
• Early Years and Primary Practice - 15 Credits
• Children, Young People and Physical Activity - 15 Credits
• Working with Young People - 15 Credits
• Young People and Crime - 15 Credits
• Community Sport - 15 Credits

Year 3 (Level 6)

• The Rights of Children and Young People 15
• Preparing for Professional Practice 15
• Dissertation 30
• Rewilding Childhood in a Digital Age 15
• Working with Parents 15

Year 3 Optional Modules

• Reflective Practice – 15 Credits
• Children and Young People's Mental Health – 15 Credits
• Sexual Health and Wellbeing - 15 Credits
• Youth Justice and Reform - 15 Credits
• International Perspectives - 15 Credits
• Substance Use and Misuse - 15 Credits
• Outdoor Education - 15 Credits
• PSHE Education - 15 Credits
• Teenage Pregnancy and Young Parenthood - 15 Credits
• Exploring Behaviour Change and ‘Lifestyles’ - 15 credits

Graduates enter careers within charities and voluntary organisations; community work; early years settings; education; extended schools; health services; leisure and arts projects; play work; the police; services for young people and children's services.

The University of Winchester ranks in the top 10 in the UK for graduates in employment and further study according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021, HESA.

Pre-approved for a Master's

If you study for a Bachelor's Honours Degree with us, you will be pre-approved to start a Master's degree at Winchester. To be eligible, you will need to apply by the end of March in the final year of your degree and meet the entry requirements of your chosen Master's degree.