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Course starts: 14 September 2026Apply now
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.
If you’re passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people, Childhood Studies is the perfect starting point.
This dynamic and interdisciplinary degree explores the development, rights, and lived experiences of children from birth to adolescence. You’ll study childhood through social, psychological, educational, cultural, and political lenses – helping you understand how children grow, learn, and interact with the world around them.
It’s not just about theory – it’s about real change. You’ll explore current debates and policies affecting children and families, and gain the skills to lead, advocate, and support children in a variety of settings.
A typical week on the BA (Hons) Childhood Studies course will include lectures, seminars, workshops, group work, and computer-based learning.
Your progress will be assessed with essays, reports, group work, seminar presentations, and self-evaluation. Throughout the degree, you'll have one-to-one support from academic staff to help you get the best out of your assignments.
If you choose a degree in social science, you could be presented with a wide variety of job opportunities when you graduate. We’ve compiled a list of seven potential jobs you could go into with a social science degree to give you some inspiration.
Read about the jobs you could get with a social science degree
We caught up with Senior Lecturer, Drew Dalton, to find out why social sciences are a great area to study at degree level and how they can make you think differently.
Explore the impact studying social sciences can have on the way you think
Our typical offer is:
| Qualification | Minimum grade |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma along with one of the following at the required grade: SAT I and SAT II, ACT or Advanced Placement | GPA 3.0 or above and: Sat score of 1100/1600 from SATs AP (Grades 3+ in at least 2 subjects) ACT (score of 26+) |
If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.
If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.
Our admissions policy uses a range of flexible options to support you to study with us. This may include a reduced offer of up to 16 UCAS tariff points, (or equivalent). Find out if you are eligible.
You must have a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check before you can start this course and you'll also need to complete a medical pro forma.
If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.
The annual, full-time fee for this course is:
*Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. The fee for your first year of study for 2026/27 will be £9,535. You will pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.
Tuition fees for part-time students are £7,145 per 90 credits. Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK.
Read more about EU fees and funding in our Help and Advice article.
If you currently serve (or have recently served) within the Armed Forces, then the Ministry of Defence's ELCAS scheme may be able to help cover your funding for this course. Read more about funding for Armed Forces personnel.
Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The ECGPC pathway helped me develop childcare skills that I’ll be able to utilise during my career.
There is so much support provided that I feel so comfortable here.
The lectures and seminars were so enjoyable and always made effective links to practice.
I liked that the course gave a good overview of everything – it covered all aspects of childhood.
The enjoyment for learning and confidence I gained during my degree really helps with my daily role.
The course helped me find a sense of belonging, as I found the area I was passionate about.
The University of Sunderland helped me realise my dream.
I am confident that no other institution would have provided this level of support.
The lecturers were very supportive throughout my whole time at the University.
