Child and Family Studies BA

Course overview

This BA honours degree in Child and Family Studies is a five-year part-time programme and is designed for those who work or volunteer with children, young people, and families, and who are keen to develop their professional practice through further study.

Your ongoing professional work experience is a key element to your learning experience and development. The theoretical content of each module will enable you to understand and explain your practice at a deeper level. Throughout the degree, you’ll develop an understanding of theoretical perspectives and professional practice in relation to your current role.

This includes study of:

• child development

• child and family welfare

• safeguarding

• multi-agency working

• social policy development

• leadership and management

• latest research methods

You will also explore ethical, professional, cultural, and global perspectives on your work. We’ll help you to develop your academic skills and to become a more informed and reflective practitioner.

This course runs one afternoon or evening a week, allowing you to fit study alongside your work and other commitments.

If you're interested in studying full-time, you may also be interested in the Child and Family Studies specialist pathway available through our Professional Studies BA degree.

Lifelong Learning Centre Support

We know that many mature and part-time students face unique challenges including balancing academic study with family and employment commitments. For that reason, the Lifelong Learning Centre provides specialised guidance, advice, and support to mature and part-time students, from pre-application right through to graduation and beyond.

Course details

The Child and Family Studies BA allows you to bring your professional experience to your study. The core modules will cover theoretical perspectives and practice, child development, safeguarding, leadership and management, contemporary issues and debates, advanced work-based learning and research methods. Additionally, you will be able to select from optional modules that appeal to your developing specialisms and interests. In your final year, you'll focus on your dissertation.

Each module acknowledges the wealth of practical and professional experience that you’ll bring to your own study. You’ll enhance your ability to be a reflective and thoughtful practitioner; improving your practice with increasing skill and depth as you progress through each year.

You’ll work on improving your confidence in decision-making and persuasive skills in project management and leadership. You’ll develop your critical and conceptual understandings of children, young people, and families and expand the range of perspectives that inform your thinking and professional practice. This includes exploration of ethical, professional, cultural, and global considerations, as well as insights from disciplines such as sociology, social policy, health, or psychology. You’ll also consider the ways in which your current professional experience can apply to other situations and areas of practice.

You‘ll encounter the latest academic work and professional practice and become an active researcher by undertaking your own independent research project. You will explore a topic of your choice and, supported by a tutor, you’ll develop an understanding of the practice, theory and research relating to your chosen research area.

Course Structure

The modules shown below represent typical content/components and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions

Year 1

Core content

• Skills, Theoretical Perspectives & Practice in Children’s & Young People’s Welfare

• Introduction to Childhood & Child Development

• Children, Young People & Families: Policy Development

Year 2

Core content

• Safeguarding Children – Family Support and Child Abuse

• Working with Others in Children's Services

• Work-based Professional Practice Project

Year 3

Core content

• Changing Children's Life Chances

• Child Welfare – Research, Policy and Practice

Optional content
You will choose one optional module in year 2 and two optional modules in year 3 from the following:

• Child Welfare – Research, Policy and Practice

• Coaching & Mentoring in the Workplace

• Middle Years and Adolescent Development Mental Health

• Families and Young People Children Looked After and their Experience of The Care System

• Violent and Sexually Offending Young People

• The Application of Counselling Skills in Learning Settings

• Special Educational Needs and Inclusion

• Introduction to Dyslexia Special Educational Needs and Inclusion

Year 4

Core content

• Leadership & Management in Work with Children & Families

• Advanced Work-based Learning

• Contemporary Issues & Debates in Child and Family Studies

• Child & Family Studies: Research Methods

Year 5

Core content
Dissertation for Child and Family Studies

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.

Learning and teaching

Learning and teaching on this programme take into account your previous knowledge and experience working with children and families. You will have the opportunity to share your professional experiences as part of interactive 'real time' classes with other students.

Most of the learning is available online, so you can study at a time and pace that suits you. Tutors are always on hand to respond to questions and offer support.

As well as having the flexibility of being able to study at a time that suits, you will also have the flexibility to choose when you want to attend classes. You can opt to attend one day per week between 12-2:00pm, or between 5-7:00pm, depending on your life and work commitments.

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

The programme is assessed entirely through coursework, with a wide range of assessment types that are authentic and relevant to work in the sector. These include writing reports with various purposes, such as child protection reports; producing management reports and project proposals for interventions and research and evaluation initiatives; producing age-appropriate communications of complex issues; working with a project group to produce a presentation; simulations of job interviews, gathering evidence and creating portfolios and a small number of traditional essays.

You’ll also have the opportunity to discuss your assignments, to give you support and confidence.

Entry requirements

A-level: 3 A-level passes or equivalent

GCSE: English and Maths grade C/4 or equivalent. T Levels will be considered on a case by case basis.

Other course specific tests:

Applicants must also be engaged in relevant work (paid or voluntary) with a minimum of 4 hours of contact each week.

We actively encourage applications from mature students, those who will be over 21 at the point of entry. Further consideration will be given to the life experience of mature applicants and the circumstances in which they gained prior qualifications. If you don't have the entry qualifications, please see the alternative entry section below.

Alternative qualification

Alternative entry

Alternative Entry Scheme for mature applicants

If you are a mature applicant (over 21 at the point of entry) and if you don't have the required A Level or GCSE qualifications, you can complete our Alternative Entry Scheme. As part of this, you may be asked to take tests in English and maths and to write an essay. Contact the Lifelong Learning Centre for more information.

If you are a mature student or want to study part-time, the Lifelong Learning Centre offers a free, confidential, and impartial pre-entry guidance service. Our experienced staff can also talk to you about how you might meet the entry criteria and what support may be available to you.

Fees

UK: To be confirmed

International: To be confirmed

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will remain capped at £9,250 for 2023/24 and 2024/25. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 and 2024/25 are available on individual course pages.

Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

You will study at 67% intensity (80 credits) in years 1 - 4. Fees for 2023/24 are £6,167 (67% of £9,250). In year 5 you will study at 33% intensity (40 credits) and the fee will be calculated at 33% of the full-time fee agreed for that year.

There are no upfront fees to pay. All eligible students are able to borrow the entire cost of tuition fees making study free at the point of entry, with good repayment terms. You are eligible if you are studying for 30+ credits per year on a programme that is at a higher level than any qualification already held. Previous study in Higher Education may affect your eligibility.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for UK part-time undergraduate students starting in 2023 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 Government and may vary if policy changes.

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.

Scholarships and 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.

Applying

For guidance on applying to a Lifelong Learning Centre course, visit our admissions guidance page.

Apply to this course through the Lifelong Learning Centre. We will treat all applications individually. We’ll take into account an applicant’s life experience and the circumstances in which they have gained qualifications and we encourage you to cover these things in your personal statement.

Your application will be reviewed by the Admissions Team, and if you’re successful you’ll be invited to an interview that will involve a piece of writing.

If you’re entering through the Alternative Entry Scheme you’ll be sent details after your interview.

Once you’re made an offer you’ll be asked to engage with KickStart. This is a pre-entry programme designed to ease your move into studying at the University of Leeds.

Admissions policy

Lifelong Learning Centre Admissions Policy 2023

This course is taught by

Lifelong Learning Centre

Contact us

LLC Child and Family Studies Admissions Team

Email: cfs@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone: 0113 343 3212

Career opportunities

Careers support

We have experienced careers guidance officers in the Lifelong Learning Centre who are able to provide bespoke advice and guidance for our students, focusing on your career development and employment opportunities in the local and regional area. You will be provided with regular updates on local employment opportunities. You will also be supported with your job search, interview skills, and writing CVs and applications.

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