Childhood and Youth
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    Childhood and Youth

    The Open University UK
    The Open University UK
    United Kingdom
    United Kingdom, Milton Keynes
    Go to Official Website
    Duration6 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    GBP 11,535 / Total
    Next IntakeFebruary 1, 2024

    Childhood and Youth

    About

    This postgraduate degree offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of childhood and youth – covering aspects of theory, policy and practice. It is ideal if you are a graduate professional working with children and young people and seek to advance academically and professionally. It’s also suitable if you’re not currently working with children or young people but are looking to move into this professional field. The degree deepens understanding and develops practice through a wide range of case studies within a global context that link theory to practice. It explores the many different contexts of children’s and young people’s lives, analysing policy and organisational changes and exploring what it means to be a critical, reflective practitioner.

    It also offers you flexibility within the final dissertation module, where you’ll choose between a small-scale inquiry or an extended literature review and research proposal. It will be of particular interest if you have completed an undergraduate degree in Childhood and Youth Studies, Early Years or Early Childhood, Education Studies (Primary), Social Work or Health and Social Care.

    Key features of the course

    • Equips you with the critical tools to analyse policy and to reflect on your own practice.
    • Designed to help you develop professionally and meet the diverse and changing needs of children and young people.
    • A strong focus on multi-agency working and inter-professional practice.
    • Offers a choice between a small-scale inquiry or an extended literature review and research proposal.
    • Gives you the option to count your previous study towards this qualification, helping you pay less and finish sooner.

    The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

    • Knowledge and understanding
    • Cognitive skills
    • Practical and professional skills
    • Key skills
    Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes.

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    You must have a bachelors degree from a UK university (or equivalent) to study this course. Your degree can be in any subject, although childhood and youth studies, sociology, health and social care, anthropology, psychology or education are particularly relevant.

    The multi-disciplinary dissertation at Stage 3 – Masters multi-disciplinary dissertation: education, childhood and youth​ (E822) – provides optionality (as do other modules in the qualification in which you are required to engage with research activity), to either undertake a small-scale investigation or an extended literature review and research proposal.

    Please note: It is a legal requirement in the UK, rather than an Open University requirement, that you must obtain Enhanced DBS clearance (or equivalent in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) in order to work with children on the module, Masters multi-disciplinary dissertation: education, childhood and youth​ (E822). This is the responsibility of you and your employer and not The Open University. If you are in doubt about your eligibility, or to find out more, you should contact the relevant agency in the country in which you are proposing to conduct your study for more information.

    Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum score of 7 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details.

    English Requirements

    • IELTSMin 7

    Career

    Career relevance

    This MA course will be attractive to professionals working with children and young people who are graduates and seeking to advance academically and professionally, as well as those with a related degree but not currently working with children and young people who are looking to move into the profession, and people considering moving between professions within the sector. It should also be of interest to people in a managerial or supervisory role, to senior members of the workforce, and those seeking to move into senior or managerial positions.

    This MA in Childhood and Youth will have a strong appeal for students who have completed the BA (Honours) in Childhood and Youth Studies, BA (Honours) Early Years or Early Childhood, BA (Honours) Education Studies (Primary) or the BA (Honours) in Health and Social Care. The content of the qualification will be relevant to graduates working in early years provision, education, social work, nursing, healthcare, youth work, youth justice and the voluntary sector including charities and NGOs. You should ensure that you check entry requirements for specific professional areas before embarking on study. 

    Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.

    Fee Information

    How to Apply

    1. Choose your qualification.
    2. Select your first module and review the entry requirements.
    3. Register for your module online.
    4. Pay – see fees and funding for your available options.
    5. Send evidence to us to confirm you meet the entry requirements.

    When to apply

    • Registration is now open for the academic year ending July 2023.
    • Closing dates vary depending on the modules you choose.

    To ensure you have everything in place ready to start your course, please check the module descriptions – there may be preparatory work you need to submit before your module starts.

    1. Choose your qualification.
    2. Select your first module and review the entry requirements.
    3. Register for your module online.
    4. Pay – see fees and funding for your available options.
    5. Send evidence to us to confirm you meet the entry requirements.

    When to apply

    • Registration is now open for the academic year ending July 2023.
    • Closing dates vary depending on the modules you choose.

    To ensure you have everything in place ready to start your course, please check the module descriptions – there may be preparatory work you need to submit before your module starts.

    Childhood and Youth

    The Open University UK

    The Open University UK

    United Kingdom

    United Kingdom, Milton Keynes

    Go to Official Website