If you are applying for this course from within the UK/EU, click apply now
Course starts: 14 September 2020Apply now
If you are applying from outside of the UK/EU, click apply now
Course starts: 14 September 2020Apply now
If you are apply for the part time course, click apply now
Course starts: 14 September 2020Apply now
Help give children the best start in life. Qualify for a lifelong career in a fulfilling field. Discover new abilities and capacities you didn't know you had.
Register your interestThis course will provide you with skills, knowledge and understanding in a range of subject areas that combine to form childhood studies. You will learn about child development, children's needs, and the historical, social and cultural issues that impacts their lives. You will also develop your knowledge and understanding of the child as an individual and the position of the child in society.
You will have the opportunity to register on a new pathway, Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies in your first semester. This will allow you to become a practitioner and assures employers that you have completed relevant practice experience. If you choose to take this pathway, you will graduate with the degree title BA (Hons) Childhood Studies with Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies.
Your progress will be assessed with essays, reports, group work, seminar presentations and self-evaluation. Throughout your degree you'll have one-to-one support from academic staff.
Our typical offer is 104 UCAS points from a minimum of two A Levels or equivalent (e.g. 1 x AVCE double award). We do not accept General Studies.
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff calculator.
We accept a maximum of 6 points from Level 3 Key Skills qualifications.
We also require three passes at GCSE grade C or above, which must include Mathematics and English Language, or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you have studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above.
You must have a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check before you can start this course, and you will also need to complete a medical pro forma.
If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, we also offer this course with an Integrated Foundation Year.
If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.
The annual, full-time fee for this course is:
The part-time fee is £6,935 per 120 credits if you are from the UK or EU.
This part-time course is not available to international students who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK.
If you are not sure whether you qualify as a UK, EU or international student, find out more 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. For more information, see our Funding for Armed Forces personnel page.
Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
Use our scholarships calculator to see what you may be entitled to.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
BA (Hons) Childhood Studies leads to a range of careers in children's services. Many of our graduates go on to work in health, social care, education, childcare, charities, and voluntary organisations, while many go on to study postgraduate courses such as PGCE Primary Education, MSc Practice Development and MSc Inequality and Society.
Our graduates also qualify as teachers by undertaking the Teach First and School Direct programmes.
As an Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner, you will be an advocate for young children’s rights and participation and recognise that young children are active co-constructors of their own learning. By becoming a Practitioner, you will critically apply academic knowledge of pedagogy and research evidence, to the holistic development of infants and young children, in a practice context that is respectful of the child, their family and community.
You will need to undertake the competencies modules across all levels which are observed and assessed during placement. This new option will be registered and linked to the Department for Education website and assures employers that graduates on this pathway have completed relevant practice experience. This enables the wider workforce to be clear about individual early career graduates’ expected level of knowledge, skills and actual experiences in practice.
The University of Sunderland’s Centre for Applied Social Studies (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 are research-active in a variety of childhood related subjects including: children's development, early years practice, inclusive education, special educational needs and disability, 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 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 support provided by the lecturers and the facilities that are on offer are the best aspects.
University of Sunderland is a phenomenal place to become inspired and educated.
Lectures and seminars were enjoyable and always made effective links to practice
The University of Sunderland helped me realise my dream.
A fantastic university with a wide range of support in place and very nice lecturers.
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