Childhood and Youth

Develop your knowledge and understanding of the lives and experiences of children, young people and their families through academic study and work-based learning with our Childhood and Youth studies degree.

This practical degree supports your academic and professional development to enhance your skills and career prospects. You will explore a range of topics affecting children, young people and their families, for example, mental health, youth offending and poverty.

Top 10 For Childhood And Youth

The University of Northampton is a top 10 institution for Childhood and Youth Studies in the Complete University Guide league tables for 2022.

• Spend 120 hours each year working with children, young people and families
• Achieve additional qualifications such as first aid and mental health awareness
• The opportunity to take part in national and international study trips
• HP Laptop and software included with this course for eligible students*
• Guaranteed paid internship with the Northampton Employment Promise.

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**See eligibility criteria, terms and conditions apply

• Tawjahiya and successful completion of a Foundation programme from a UK awarding body,
• Two-year associate degree / community college diploma (occasional Year 2 entry may be granted depending on qualification and modules studied),
• International Baccalaureate Diploma,
• Successful completion of a Foundation programme from a UK awarding body,
• A Levels

Please contact us or check the Course information pages for the specific grades or points you will need or if you have a qualification not listed above.

One of the main advantages of this degree is that it supports you to explore a wide range of careers relating to children, young people and families. We will support you during your Childhood and Youth to explore and refine your career path.

As part of the degree, you will have the chance to achieve additional qualifications to help further enhance your CV and to help you stand out in the graduate employment market. For example, you could gain further skills and certification in mental health awareness, mentoring, supporting transitions, facilitating group work, enhancing digital literacy and first aid.

Our graduates have gained employment in a range of areas, for example, as a Youth Offending Officer, Family Support Worker, Mental Health Support Worker, MASH Officer, Youth Worker, Drug and Alcohol Worker, Housing Officer, Residential Keyworker, School Counsellor, Play Worker, Sports Development Officer and as a Primary School Teacher.

Graduate schemes are also a great career option, for example, the Police Graduate Leadership Programme, Explore Learning Assistant Director, Frontline Leadership Development Programme and the Into University Graduate Education Worker Scheme.

Postgraduate Opportunities

Our postgraduate courses are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt. Benefit from our 20% alumni discount on postgraduate fees to give you a CV that will catch the eye of employers. You can study: MA in Social Work, MSc in Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAHM), MSc in Counselling Children and Young People, MA Special Educational Needs and Inclusion, PGCE Primary Education (5-11) (QTS).