(Full time) 2021 start
Childhood Studies BA

Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
This exciting, interdisciplinary degree offers a broad approach to understanding childhood and youth – supporting you in pursuing a wide range of careers including teaching, social work, child and family law, and youth and community work.
You’ll be taught by experts in education, anthropology, psychology, sociology and social policy – key disciplines in the study of childhood and youth – and will examine some of the fundamental issues concerning childhood and youth in the UK and internationally.
The programme takes a child-centred approach, encouraging you to consider the rights and perspectives of children on all matters that affect them, and you’ll benefit from opportunities to apply your theoretical knowledge while gaining practical experience of working with children and young people.
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Course content
Our BA Childhood Studies is designed to provide you with an in-depth understanding of children’s lives in diverse social, cultural and educational contexts.
Teaching is based in the fields of anthropology, education, psychology, sociology and social policy and you’ll examine how key concepts from these disciplines can develop our understanding of children’s development, health and welfare, their inclusion, and their peer and family relationships.
You’ll consider questions such as:
- Should children and young people contribute to decision-making in schools, and how do children’s rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) inform this debate?
- How far should the state determine how parents bring up their children?
- How are children and young people’s health and wellbeing conceptualised in the UK and internationally?
The programme is delivered through lectures, seminars and workshops that use a range of learning resources including media and digital technology.
In each year of study, you’ll undertake core modules designed to build your knowledge base, complemented by optional modules that allow you to explore topics that suit your interests and future career plans.
In your final year, you’ll also plan and undertake a piece of independent research relating to childhood and youth for your dissertation. This will allow you to put theories you’ve studied into practice, gain further expertise in an area of interest to you, and to gain experience carrying out a real-life research project with or about children and/or young people.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Becoming a Practitioner of Learning 20 credits
- Children, Young People, Families and the State 20 credits
- What is a Child: Child Development and Learning 20 credits
- What is a Child: Social Construction of Childhood 20 credits
- Children's Rights and Social Justice 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will choose up to 20 credits of optional modules in the school.
- Second Language Acquisition and Learning 20 credits
- Diverse Contexts of Learning 20 credits
- Contemporary Issues and Debates in Education - Level 1 20 credits
- Building a Career from Education Studies 20 credits
Discovery modules
If you do not choose an optional module you will choose up to 20 credits of discovery modules.
Year 2
Compulsory modules
- Research Methods 20 credits
- Health, Well-being, Childhood and Youth 20 credits
- Psychological Approaches to Understanding and Supporting Children's Learning 20 credits
- Inclusive Education 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will choose 20 to 40 credits of optional modules in the school.
- The Practice of English Language Teaching 20 credits
- Students into Education 1 20 credits
- Educational Policy and Politics 20 credits
- Science Education: Issues and Challenges 10 credits
- Managing Classroom Behaviour 10 credits
- State of Emergency: Social science and the COVID-19 pandemic 20 credits
- Violent and Sexually Offending Young People 20 credits
Discovery modules
If you only choose 20 credits of optional modules you will choose 20 credits of discovery modules.
Year 3
Compulsory modules
- Critical Debates in Childhood and Youth: Research 20 credits
- Final Year Research Project 40 credits
- Children, Families and Cultural Diversity: Philosophical Perspectives 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will choose 20 to 40 credits of optional modules in the school.
- Children's Literature in Education 20 credits
- Supporting Learning in Children with Additional Needs 20 credits
- Mathematics Education 10 credits
- Technology-enhanced language learning 20 credits
- Child Welfare and Young Children 20 credits
- Students Into Education 2 20 credits
- State of Emergency: Social science and the COVID-19 pandemic 20 credits
Discovery modules
If you only choose 20 credits of optional modules you will choose 20 credits of discovery modules.
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
We use a range of teaching and learning methods, including lectures supported by workshops and seminars that allow you to focus on and discuss topics in greater depth. You’ll also benefit from our extensive use of online resources.
Our lectures focus on research findings and how they can be used in policy and professional practice with children and young people. Lectures are often interactive, allowing you to discuss issues with your peers, and/or watch or listen to and discuss videos and podcasts. We frequently invite guest lecturers, esteemed experts in their fields, to share their research and professional insights with you.
In addition, independent study is an important element of the course, allowing you to prepare for lectures through reading or through researching an issue, and as you progress you’ll move towards more independent yet supported study.
Because there is so much expertise in this subject area at the University of Leeds, you may also have the opportunity to attend lectures and seminars in the areas of childhood studies both within the School of Education and beyond.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
We aim to use a variety of assessment methods in order for you to build a core set of transferable skills in critical and analytical thinking, problem-solving, independent and team-working, synthesising information, oral presentation and in social and psychological or educational research. You’ll be assessed using a range of methods that allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding.
The type of assessment will vary depending on the modules you choose. Current methods of assessment include essays, reports, literature reviews, poster presentations, reflective logs, exams, and project work undertaken for your dissertation.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: ABB not including Critical Thinking.
In general we expect applicants to have two ‘traditional’ academic subjects at A-level. See our accepted A-level subjects document to see which subjects we accept.
When an applicant is taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) this can be considered alongside A-level qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A-levels, this would be BBB at A-level and grade A in the EPQ.
GCSE: grade 4/C or above in English Language, or an equivalent qualification, or an appropriate English language qualification.
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Access to HE Diploma
Complete 60 credits with 45 credits at Level 3 including 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above.
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BTEC
DDM.
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Cambridge Pre-U
D3,M1,M1.
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International Baccalaureate
34 overall (6,5,5 higher).
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Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)
AAABBB.
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AAABB overall (BB at advanced level).
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
Were committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.
Typical Access to Leeds offer:
BBC at A level. Applicants must also meet the University’s GCSE matriculation standard and pass the Access to Leeds module.
For alternative qualification offers please contact the admissions team.
If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, we offer a foundation year for UK students who meet specific widening participation criteria. Learn more about the BA Social Science (foundation year).
International
We accept a wide range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information contact the School of Education undergraduate admissions team.
International foundation year
If you have the ability to study for a degree but don’t have the qualifications to enter directly to level one, you might consider studying a foundation year. We have formal links with the following foundation year programmes:
- University of Leeds International Foundation Year (IFY)
- Northern Consortium of UK Universities (NCUK)
- Study Group Leeds International Study Centre (LISC)
If you are applying from an alternative foundation year provider, please contact our admissions team to find out if your qualification is suitable for entry to our courses.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
Faculty of Social Sciences Taught Admissions Policy 2021
Fees
UK: See fees section below
International: £20,250 (per year)
UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry
For UK full-time students starting in 2021, the fee for 2021/22 will be £9,250.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the UK government and may vary if policy changes.
EU students starting in 2021/22
EU students starting their course in the 2021/22 academic year or later will now be classed as international students and so will need to pay the international student tuition fee.
UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2022/23 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. In other years, the government has confirmed fee levels in the summer. When the fee is confirmed we will publish an update on all course pages.
Tuition fees for new international students for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for international students are published on each individual course page. These are usually published a year in advance, so 2022 course fees should be available from September 2021.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Brexit
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Career opportunities
The BA in Childhood Studies equips you with a firm theoretical base and the methodological skills to address the experiences, lives and education of children within a globalising world.
It offers a sound basis for various career paths and popular graduate career destinations include roles in pre-primary care, primary school teaching and teaching assistant roles.
Many of our students have also chosen to pursue postgraduate study in the School of Education after completing their undergraduate degree, for example, on MA Childhood Studies or MA Special Educational Needs courses, or through teacher training with our School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) partners, Red Kite.
Throughout your studies, there will be opportunities to strengthen your CV. For example, you will gain practical insights into how professionals work with children and young people through modules allowing you to shadow an educational professional and reflect on how the ideas you learn on the programme apply in practice.
Volunteering opportunities with children and young people are also formally organised by the University of Leeds and current students are regularly visiting and reading to children in hospitals or working with children in schools. Representatives from the careers service regularly visit the School of Education and run drop-in sessions for BA Childhood Studies students.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. Thats one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
Study abroad and work placements
Study abroad
On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. The University has partnerships with more than 300 universities worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.
Read more about Study Year Abroad.
Work placements
Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.
Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.