Childhood, Youth and Education Studies, BA (Hons)

Course summary

The Childhood, Youth and Education Studies degree is designed for people who want to contribute to the learning and development of children and young people across a variety of educational settings. A Childhood, Youth and Education Studies degree can open the door to a range of rewarding areas of practice working with children and young people.

• Our course offers you a flexible learning experience where you will have the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and experience needed to pursue a particular area of work with children and young people you are most passionate about.

• You will have the opportunity to explore important areas of educational practice, formal and informal, through both in-class learning and practical work experience*.

• Get the opportunity to take part in a range of exciting international and UK based educational experiences*.

Key Course BenefitsIf you are passionate about achieving the best outcomes for children and young people and you want to learn alongside like-minded people in an innovative learning environment, then the Childhood, Youth and Education Studies degree aims to both excite and challenge you.Investing in the education of children and young people is essential for the growth of individuals and communities that flourish. This internationally focused course has employability at its core, and you can learn from academics and practice partners who currently collectively have experience across a range of relevant areas of study and practice.We have designed our course to help prepare you for a range of careers, such as social, youth and community work, family support or progression to teacher training.You’ll have the opportunity to hear from a range of guest speakers (subject to availability) which have previously included practice experts in special educational needs, child protection, children and young people’s health and youth violence, or those practising in contexts such as youth work, pastoral care, social care or primary/secondary education.*For further information please check the course page on the Coventry University website.

Modules

The information on this page is for 2024-25 entry and should be used as guidance for 2025-26 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.Year oneThe first year will introduce you to the key themes within the degree including childhood and youth in context, theory and practice of education and skills for working with children and young people. You will 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.ModulesChildhood and Youth in Context - 20 creditsTheories of Education - 20 creditsPersonal and Academic Development - 20 creditsSkills for Working with Children and Young People - 20 creditsCurricula for Learning and Development - 20 creditsSafeguarding Children and Young People - 20 creditsYear TwoThe second year builds on first year themes, exploring the major disciplines of psychology, sociology and approaches to research within education. This also includes an introduction to professional experience spanning the first semester in a children’s and or young people’s setting. The types of placements may vary significantly, reflecting the range of interests on the course, but you will have an opportunity to access a wide range of practical support and signposting to help you find the right placement for you2. Examples of work undertaken by previous students include teaching or SEN support within a primary school, pastoral and mentoring support in a secondary school, youth support work in community settings and play therapy within a hospital setting.ModulesIntroduction to Professional Experience - 20 creditsMulti-Disciplinary Practice: Methods and Models - 20 creditsPsychology of Childhood, Youth and Education - 20 creditsSociology of Childhood, Youth, and Education - 20 creditsResearch Methods - 20 creditsHealth and Wellbeing Education - 20 creditsPlacement YearThere’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee of £1,250. For further information please check the course page on the Coventry University website. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.Final YearYear three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from year one and two. This includes a second professional experience placement2 spanning the first semester, alongside highlighting special and inclusive needs of children and young people, and contemporary practices. You will also work on a dissertation in an area of your interest, with the support of a supervisor and your Academic Personal Tutor.ModulesProfessional Experience - 20 creditsInnovation, Creativity and Change - 20 creditsInternational and Comparative Perspectives - 20 creditsSpecial and Inclusive Education - 20 creditsDissertation - 40 creditsWe regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated. Before accepting any offers, please check the website for the most up to date course content. For full module details please check the course page on the Coventry University website.

Assessment method

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods, to support and encourage application of newly acquired knowledge and skills to a variety of contexts. Primarily, this course is assessed by coursework which will vary depending upon the module.Assessment methods include:Academic essaysReflective essaysA portfolio assessing placementOral presentationsPoster presentationsDigital projectsResearch reportThe Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

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The information on this page is for 2024-25 entry and should be used as guidance for 2025-26 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates. Year one The first year will introduce you to the key themes within the degree including childhood and youth in context, theory and practice of education and skills for working with children and young people. You will 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 Theories of Education - 20 credits Personal and Academic Development - 20 credits Skills for Working with Children and Young People - 20 credits Curricula for Learning and Development - 20 credits Safeguarding Children and Young People - 20 credits Year Two The second year builds on first year themes, exploring the major disciplines of psychology, sociology and approaches to research within education. This also includes an introduction to professional experience spanning the first semester in a children’s and or young people’s setting. The types of placements may vary significantly, reflecting the range of interests on the course, but you will have an opportunity to access a wide range of practical support and signposting to help you find the right placement for you2. Examples of work undertaken by previous students include teaching or SEN support within a primary school, pastoral and mentoring support in a secondary school, youth support work in community settings and play therapy within a hospital setting. Modules Introduction to Professional Experience - 20 credits Multi-Disciplinary Practice: Methods and Models - 20 credits Psychology of Childhood, Youth and Education - 20 credits Sociology of Childhood, Youth, and Education - 20 credits Research Methods - 20 credits Health and Wellbeing Education - 20 credits Placement Year There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future. If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee of £1,250. For further information please check the course page on the Coventry University website. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement. Final Year Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from year one and two. This includes a second professional experience placement2 spanning the first semester, alongside highlighting special and inclusive needs of children and young people, and contemporary practices. You will also work on a dissertation in an area of your interest, with the support of a supervisor and your Academic Personal Tutor. Modules Professional Experience - 20 credits Innovation, Creativity and Change - 20 credits International and Comparative Perspectives - 20 credits Special and Inclusive Education - 20 credits Dissertation - 40 credits We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated. Before accepting any offers, please check the website for the most up to date course content. For full module details please check the course page on the Coventry University website.