BA (Hons) Child and Youth Studies

Why choose this course?

  • This is a practical and work-based course that has been designed with employers in the sector. You will develop the skills and values for working with children and young people aged 0–19.
  • You can study for the Early Years Teacher qualification during this course. This is essential if you want to lead and manage an early years setting.
  • We've developed it with employers in the sector, so it's relevant and up to date, and you'll develop the key skills and knowledge they're looking for.
  • You'll be taught by lecturers from a wide range of professional backgrounds including early years, primary teaching, secondary teaching, social work, nursery management and youth work, so you can be sure that you'll gain a wide range of knowledge and expertise.
  • You'll also have lectures from a range of speakers from professional backgrounds including early years settings, schools and social work settings, so you can be sure that your practical knowledge will be right up to date.
  • This course will give you a thorough grounding in work-based practice, and it will enable you to work towards recognised professional status, and prepare you for further study at postgraduate level.
  • In the 2012 National Student Survey, 93% of our students said that they were satisfied with the quality of the course overall.

 

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Fact file

UCAS code: L531

Start date: September (UK or EU students only)

Course length: full time: three years, part time: up to six years.

Campus: Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus

About this course

Throughout the course you'll complete a range of work placements. In stage one and two, you can select a placement across the 0-19 age range. This includes placements in early years, primary, secondary, tertiary education, and working with young people. In stage three you'll be able to select a placement that will allow you to specialise in your chosen field, and tailor your work-based practice to your professional career aspirations. This work experience will look great on your CV.

In stage one you'll be introduced to a range of knowledge and skills that will support you in your studies and during work placements. You'll explore the study of childhood and youth, and focus on the theory that underpins practice in education and care for both children and young people. In stage two you'll expand on the areas covered in stage one but you'll also explore current policy and inter-agency working, whilst examining theories and models of reflective practice. Stage three allows you to specialise in areas of professional interest, selecting modules from a set of options.

You'll learn through lectures, seminars and work-based activities. There are no exams, so you'll be assessed through a range of reflective tasks, essays, creative presentations, portfolios, reports and on your practice placement.

What you will cover

Stage one

You'll study these modules:

  • Research Into Learning
  • Children’s and Young People’s Education
  • Developing Professional Practice
  • Children’s and Young People’s Development
  • Integrated Working
  • Contextualising Learning and Teaching

Stage two

You'll study these modules:

  • Understanding and Managing Children’s and Young People’s Behaviours
  • Working With Parents, Carers and Communities
  • The Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People
  • Reflective Practice
  • Rights and Responsibilities of Children, Young People and the Family
  • Research Methods and Practice

Stage three

You'll study these modules:

  • Independent Study
  • The Professional Practitioner
  • Social Policy: Context and Implications

And you'll choose three from these modules:

  • Thinking Creatively
  • Special Educational Needs and Disability
  • Leadership and Management for Practitioners

Entry requirements

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required at the point of accepting a place at the University. The Disclosure and Barring Service was established when the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) merged in 2012 and will now provide the criminal records checking service for this programme.

Our entry requirements are usually 200 UCAS points, of which at least 160 will be from your core A2s (full A levels) or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers etc.

We'll accept up to 40 points towards the total from level 3 qualifications such as AS levels (where those AS levels are not taken on to A2 level), the Extended Project or Music qualifications.

We don't accept points from Key Skills Level 3. If you have any questions about what is or isn't accepted, please contact our Admissions team.

We also accept the Access to HE Diploma.

Your points at level 3 will be in addition to 5 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent level 2 qualifications.

 

The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.

General undergraduate entry requirements

How to apply

UK/EU students

Fees and finance

Fees for 2013/14

This is a classroom based course.

UK/EU students

  • Full time: £7,700 (each year)
  • £965 per module (you usually take 18 of these modules in total)

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

How you will learn

How you'll learn

You’ll learn through lectures, seminars and work-based activities. You’ll also have placements in either early years, primary, secondary or tertiary education. You’ll be required to apply the theory to your practical experiences.

How you're assessed

There are no exams, so you’ll be assessed through a range of reflective tasks, essays, creative presentations, portfolios and reports.

Careers and employability

During this course you'll develop key transferable skills such as intellectual and personal development skills. You'll also gain lots of practical skills which you can apply to a range of employment opportunities within the sector and to the study of children, young people and their communities.

Throughout the course, there are also opportunities for you to develop professional skills which include, First Aid training, Makaton training and Safeguarding training.

Once you have completed this course, you could also go on to teach by studying our PGCE Primary to teach at primary level.

What our students say

Katie Wells, Graduate

"I have found my experience at university life changing. There are lots of opportunities to network and meet new people."

Contact details

Course enquiries

Course leader: Helen Wilson
T: 01332 591703

If you are a UK or EU student, contact us

T: +44 (0)1332 591167
F: +44 (0)1332 597724
E: askadmissions@derby.ac.uk

UK/EU course enquiry

If you are an international student, contact us

T: +44 (0)1332 591698
E: international@derby.ac.uk

International course enquiry

Where will I study?

Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus