Childhood, Youth and Education Studies BA (Hons)

at Coventry University

Why you should study this course
 

If you are passionate about achieving the best outcomes for children and young people and you want the opportunity to learn alongside like-minded people in an innovative learning environment, then the Childhood, Youth and Education Studies BA (Hons) degree-level course, aims to both excite and challenge you. Our course is designed to offer you a flexible learning experience where you will have the opportunity to tailor your learning so that you have the chance to develop the knowledge, skills and experience needed to pursue a particular area of work upon successful completion, with children and young people you are most passionate about.
 

Investing in the education of children and young people is essential for the growth of individuals and communities that flourish. The Childhood, Youth and Education Studies BA (Hons) course is designed for people who want the opportunity to contribute to the learning and development of children and young people in a variety of educational settings, upon successful completion.
 

On the course you will have the opportunity to explore important areas of educational practice, formal and informal, through both in-class learning and practical work experience.* You have the opportunity to learn from academics and practice partners who currently collectively have experience across a range of relevant areas of study and practice. Over the course of your studies, you will also have the opportunity to take part in a range of exciting international and UK based educational experiences.
 

What you'll study

Year one

The first year will introduce you to the key themes within the degree course, including childhood and youth in context, theory and practice of education and skills required for working with children and young people. You should begin to develop an understanding of some of the challenges faced by children and young people including safeguarding, exclusion, and social justice. You will also consider the impact of digital media, technology and popular culture on children and young people’s development.
 

Modules
 

• Childhood and Youth in Context - 20 credits

  You will explore educational practice in context, considering notions and definitions of ‘childhood’, ‘youth’ and ‘education’; and the political, economic, social and technological factors that inform such definitions. In addition, you will examine the challenges and inequalities faced by children and young people, particularly in relation to poverty, health and social mobility. The module should also enable you to explore the ways in which services have evolved in response to the changing needs of children and young people, and how children and young people themselves have responded to the issues and challenges they face. You will also have the opportunity to explore the range of service provision for children and young people, at both national and international levels.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework and presentation
   

• Theories of Education - 20 credits

  You will explore and should gain an understanding of diverse theoretical approaches to education, including pedagogies which inform the process of education. Insights will be drawn from practitioners who are working in educational contexts (e.g., schools, extended learning centres, youth centres), whilst creating opportunities for real world learning to support you to apply theory to practice.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework
   

• Personal and Academic Development - 10 credits

  This module aims to develop your academic and reflective skills and will introduce the concepts of personal and professional development. It should enable you to develop reflective practice in relation to personal and professional learning and development which is threaded throughout the course. This will particularly focus on the aim of developing and understanding your own learning needs and progress as well as ways of approaching challenge and change.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Portfolio
   

• Skills for Working with Children and Young People - 20 credits

  This module will focus on the theoretical knowledge, methods, and skills needed to work with individual and groups of children and/or young people in a range of educational contexts and developmental phases. It will enable you to explore values-based practice whilst providing the opportunity to develop an emerging sense of your own values-base and explore how it informs your practice. The module is designed to enable you the chance to develop a range of skills needed to work with individuals and groups, which aims prepare you for your practice modules. In addition, the module will evaluate the processes and dynamics of individual and group working, which should enable you to apply this knowledge in practice, upon successful completion.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Project
   

• Curricula for Learning and Development - 20 credits

  This module provides you with an introduction to curricula and its use across a range of educational settings. It will give you the opportunity to explore the concept of 'curriculum' and the different types and approaches, such as curricula as bodies of knowledge, products, and processes. In this module you will also consider the use and application of different curricula across a range of educational contexts. You will explore the implications of political agendas and philosophical perspectives on the design and delivery of curricula and the role of assessment. As such, you should develop skills, including an awareness of role, in relation to the development of educational experiences across a range of educational contexts.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework
   

• Safeguarding Children and Young People - 20 credits

  You will be introduced to safeguarding as a key aspect of practice in working with children, young people and their families across a range of contexts. This includes exploration of policy, practice and research which should help you to develop an understanding of how safeguarding is practised and constructed. Broader categories of abuse and neglect will be considered, whilst examining factors which may exacerbate risks. SCR’s (serious case reviews) and legislation (including local frameworks) which seek to protect and promote the welfare of children and young people will be discussed in the view of illustrating the breadth of presenting factors. You will also explore multidisciplinary ways of working towards effective safeguarding of children, young people and their families.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework
   

• Add+vantage module - 10 credits

  You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework and exam
   

Year two

The second year builds on the first-year themes, exploring the major disciplines of psychology and sociology, and approaches to research within these disciplines. The module in Health should further enable you to explore how these discipline areas may apply to current issues surrounding children and young people’s health and wellbeing.
The research module offers the opportunity to develop an individual research proposal focusing on a topic or issue you feel passionate about.
 

The second year also includes a professional experience placement*, spanning the whole of the first semester in a children and young people’s setting. The types of placements that may be available vary significantly, reflecting the range of interests on the course, but you will have the opportunity to access a range of practical support and signposting to help you to find the right placement for you. Examples of work undertaken by previous students include teaching and/or SEN support within primary school settings, pastoral and mentoring in secondary schools, youth support work within community and institutional settings, and play therapy work within hospitals.
 

Modules
 

• Professional Experience 1* - 30 credits

  This practice-based module is designed to enable you to explore an area of practice which includes educational working with children and/or young people. You should have the opportunity to develop and apply your knowledge and skills in a practice setting, which should develop and enhance your understanding. The module will introduce you to principles of practice including ethical codes and competence frameworks, which aims to help you to develop your employability skills and gain an insight into the current roles working with children/ young people. You will be given support in finding your own placement* in an appropriate area of relevance to your personal interests. After your placement you will be asked to submit an assessed piece of work on your placement module through a ‘portfolio’ which is multi-faceted in comprising of reflection, observation, academic essay and journaling, which is designed to enable you the chance to relate your experiences to your studies and recognise the learning you have undertaken on placement.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Portfolio
   

• Sociology of Childhood, Youth and Education - 20 credits

  You will explore the value of sociology in understanding children and young people’s place in society and, in particular, how sociological understandings might inform the development of effective educational practice interventions aimed at supporting children and young people, including the most marginalised and vulnerable children and young people. Throughout the module you are encouraged to link experiences of educational practice settings with the insights from sociological theory. Specifically, you should begin to understand the centrality of the contribution which sociology makes to professional practice, in the global age.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework
   

• Psychology of Childhood, Youth and Education - 20 credits

  This module enables you the opportunity to gain theoretical knowledge about traditional and contemporary psychological theory and research that will inform educational practices with children and young people. You will have the opportunity to apply psychological theory and research to understanding and promoting children and young people’s development. You will explore issues, such as conformity, self and social understanding, and prejudice, which affects individual and group behaviour. This module aims to develop your understanding of current psychological interventions used to promote learning and development in educational contexts across national and international contexts.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Scenario-based exercise/psychological report
   

• Research Methods - 20 credits

  The overall aim of this module is to provide you with a solid grounding in the core skills and knowledge involved in researching educational practices and contexts. Teaching will focus on providing you with the opportunities to explore a conceptual understanding of formulating research questions, effective research design, selecting appropriate research methods, and considering relevant ethical concerns. Content will cover both qualitative and quantitative research methods and contemporary research examples will be drawn on throughout to encourage you to engage with the use of research studies as an evidence-base for educational practice. You will be encouraged to explore international perspectives and research examples on children, young people, and education.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework
   

• Health and Wellbeing Education - 20 credits

  This module encourages you to develop an awareness of current health (physical and psychological) needs of children and young people, including the services that respond to these needs, both internationally and in the U.K. It also aims to develop your understanding of prevention, intervention, and promotion of health. It should further provide you with the opportunity to develop an understanding of theoretical models of health and their implications for practitioners.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework
   

• Add+vantage module - 10 credits

  You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework and exam
   

Final year

The final year will include a second professional experience placement, which may be undertaken in the UK or abroad. Modules in year three are designed to highlight the special and inclusive educational needs of children and young people and offer further exploration of contemporary theories, policies and practices aligned closely to your chosen career pathway upon graduation. Your studies will culminate in the completion of an independent research project, your dissertation. Past students have examined topics as varied as: attitudes to Special Educational Needs (SEN) within the Bengali community, cyber bullying amongst primary aged children, gang violence in Birmingham or educational attainment within Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.

Modules
 

• Professional Experience 2* - 30 credits

  The aim of this practice-based module is to enable you the opportunity to gain further practice experience in your chosen education related setting with children and young people upon graduation. You will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills to a real-life setting, drawing on your learning from across the degree course. You should develop personal and professional insight into the evolving landscape of childhood, youth, and education practice.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Portfolio
   

• Special and Inclusive Education - 20 credits

  This module will explore theoretical perspectives and models of disability, to understand special education and inclusive education, and the differences in their approaches to understanding and meeting SEN. It enables you the chance to develop an understanding of the theory, policy and legislation, and practices involved in meeting the needs and facilitating the inclusion of students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and/or disabilities in educational settings. The policy and legislative context, as well as practice requirements for special and inclusive education will be examined within the UK and internationally.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework
   

• Emergent Theory, Policy, and Practice - 20 credits

  In this module you will consider emergent theory, policy, and practice in relation to support services and educational provision for children and young people. You will be encouraged to identify and explore transitions, challenges and changes in contemporary public policy and its impact on practice, including the relationship between private sector, third sector and state provision. You will also consider international perspectives, to examine the ways in which various societies are seeking to tackle or enhance educational outcomes, and in relation to issues of poverty, inequality, health and well-being and social mobility.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework
   

• Dissertation - 40 credits

  This module gives you the opportunity to develop and demonstrate the ability to establish, investigate and report on a specialised area of professional interest relevant to childhood, youth and education. The choice of topic will be determined by your personal interest and relevance to professional practice. The module makes an important contribution to providing you with the opportunity to enhance your understanding of the important challenges faced by children, young people, and practitioners in their chosen area of practice.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework
   

• Add+vantage module - 10 credits

  You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: Coursework and exam

Typical offer for 2022 entry.
 

English language requirements

• IELTS: 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5

International Fees
£15,300 per year
 

International Pathways 2022 Scholarship

You could enjoy a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees.
Our high-quality foundation, international year one and pre-masters courses are for international students who do not meet the requirements for direct entry to their preferred Coventry University undergraduate or postgraduate course. We can support you to achieve the academic and/or English grades you need and help you gain the personal and professional skills required to study at university.

We want to encourage ambitious international students like you to study at Coventry University, so we’ve secured extra financial support for you worth £3,000, to help with the cost of tuition fees, living expenses and accommodation.

The scholarship application deadline is:
September 2022 intake: 31 July 2022

The practical nature of the course means, upon successful graduation, you should have substantial placement experience, practical knowledge and problem-solving skills which can support a move into a range of different child-related professions or to study towards further professional qualifications, such as the PGCE if you would like to enter teaching, or an MA in Social Work if a career as a social worker appeals. There are also opportunities to branch out into other postgraduate courses such as MSc Psychology, for those interested in pursuing Educational Psychology. Please note further study opportunities are subject to competitive application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements, and additional costs may apply.


Past students who have successfully completed this course have had the opportunity to enter directly into a range of exciting roles in a range of settings. Examples of these include teaching assistant, SEN support officer, learning mentor, LAC (looked after child) advocate, youth worker, child and family support worker, children and young person’s case worker, children’s residential worker, as well as potentially setting up your own social enterprise.