Childhood and Youth Studies BA (Hons)

Make a real difference to the lives of children and young people families and communities on a course that equips you to have an impact locally nationally and globally.

This course combines practical experience and research-informed theory to provide you with a thorough current understanding of the needs of children and young people. You explore child development and child welfare as well as social policies and legislative frameworks. This includes the right to equal access to services and life opportunities regardless of social difference.

In your second and third years you can choose from a range of optional units in areas such as mental health disability and youth violence. In your final year you also undertake an independent research project supported by our Social Sciences team all of whom are actively involved in research themselves.

Why choose this course?

• Gain the practical skills and knowledge you need for a career working with children young people and families
• Learn from staff with professional practice experience in youth work counselling teaching and working with looked-after children
• Study with academics who have research expertise in areas such as child protection alternative education and school exclusion mentoring and coaching safeguarding and sexual exploitation
• Benefit from opportunities offered by the University of Bedfordshires new Health & Social Care Academy run in partnership with local councils and NHS Trusts to recruit train and develop health and social care workers
• Be able to recognise and challenge discrimination oppression and inequality across a range of services
• Theres the option to take the course over four years and include a years placement in industry (see below) allowing you to gain practical skills build your CV and make contacts
• If you need to step up into higher education start with a Foundation Year (see below) which guarantees entry to the undergraduate degree
• The course can lead into careers in education social work and welfare youth and community work or postgraduate study

To apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) you need to have completed your high school education (12 years) and have a pass equivalent to two UK A level passes and have the required English language qualification.

When you submit an application form you must remember to include photocopies of the following supporting documents. We do not need to see your original qualifications and certificates.

• A completed application form signed by you (an electronic signature is fine)
• Copies of your official academic qualifications and certificates including proof of your level of English Language (where relevant)
• A one-page personal statement. This should tell us why you want to study your chosen course.
• A copy of your current valid passport details
• Please submit copies of any UK Visa that you have held and any documentation relating to previous visa refusals from any country