Childhood Studies BA (Hons)
Children are at the heart of society. Whether you want to work in classrooms, communities, policy spaces, or global organisations, Childhood Studies gives you the tools, insight, and passion to lead the way.
Career ready
A Childhood Studies degree helps you build a career working with children in many important ways. You could work in nurseries, schools, or children’s homes, support families, or help children through play and therapy. Some graduates go into jobs that focus on helping communities, making children’s lives better, or working with councils and charities. Others choose to keep studying to become teachers, social workers, therapists, or child psychologists.
Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies
Gain additional experience of working with children from the ages of 0-8 and develop your practical skills in a range of settings by opting for the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies (ECGPC) route alongside your childhood studies degree. You'll be able to choose this option from your first semester and follow it for the duration of your course. You'll also develop a portfolio of evidence and a range of practical and transferable professional skills whilst attending placements, which will enable you to work with children, other professionals, and parents and carers.
Your portfolio of evidence, along with your end of year assessments, will be based on nine different competencies, including advocating for children’s rights, observing children, planning activities for children, and developing your professional skills. Developing these pieces of evidence and your practical skills are excellent for your progression after you complete your degree.
Your next steps may include furthering your studies or entering into your chosen career, and by completing the ECGPC route, you will be adding credence to your applications. You'll be a recognised Early Years practitioner (at level 6) and employers and education establishments will know that you've completed relevant practice experience.
If you choose to take this pathway, you'll graduate with the degree title BA (Hons) Childhood Studies with Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies. Hear more about the ECGPC pathway from one of our graduates.
Centre for Applied Social Sciences
The University of Sunderland’s Centre for Applied Social Sciences (CASS) regularly hosts visiting speakers and it can be an excellent way to learn from the experiences of people who already have a strong track record in social policy.
CASS is the centre for applied social science research at the University and you may find opportunities to collaborate with the academic team – particularly on areas relating to children, young people, and families.
Research-active staff
The Childhood Studies team come from a diverse range of professional and academic backgrounds. They're research-active in a variety of childhood-related subjects including children's development, early years practice, inclusive education, special educational needs and disabilities, education for sustainable development, childhood identity and social media, children's literature, and childhood transitions. Their expertise in these areas is used to inform modules on the childhood studies course.
Members of the team are also involved with external activities such as working with children's charities, local schools, and early years settings. Actively engaging with our employer networks in this way supports our emphasis on developing your employability.
Meet the students
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The ECGPC pathway helped me develop childcare skills that I’ll be able to utilise during my career.
Caitlin Armstrong
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There is so much support provided that I feel so comfortable here.
Jordan Kyle Robertson
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The lectures and seminars were so enjoyable and always made effective links to practice.
Megan Birbeck
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I liked that the course gave a good overview of everything – it covered all aspects of childhood.
Megan Johnson
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The enjoyment for learning and confidence I gained during my degree really helps with my daily role.
Rebecca Wolstenholme
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The course helped me find a sense of belonging, as I found the area I was passionate about.
Stacey Gordon
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The University of Sunderland helped me realise my dream.
Stephen Day
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I am confident that no other institution would have provided this level of support.
Steven Wright
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The lecturers were very supportive throughout my whole time at the University.
Sylwia Szymczyk
