BA(Hons) Childhood, Youth and Education Studies
The BA (Hons) in Childhood, Youth and Education Studies is a social science degree that bridges the disciplines of education, psychology and sociology. It explores how young children and adolescents learn and develop in contemporary British society and across the world.
“When I was looking for a university I looked at ideal location, high standards of teaching, variety of lectures and the achievements of the whole university. The Childhood, Youth & Education Studies programme at Bath meets all of these criteria. Top class teaching in a whole range of units means that we learn an assortment of sociology, psychology and education so that we have an array of knowledge and experience. The course helps each individual learn and prepares you for life after university. ”Caitlin Burrows, current student
- The degree is delivered jointly by the Departments of Education and Psychology, providing you with a unique blend of social science modules that relate to the study of children and young people
- You will benefit from the expertise of lecturers and researchers with international reputations who ensure a continually developing programme that takes into account the most recent developments in research, policy and practice
- A professional placement year is offered to you as a distinctive programme option
- The programme prepares you for a variety of careers relating to children, youth and family, including social services, non-governmental organisations and teaching. Alternatively, you could study for a higher degree and pursue your interests in research
- At the University of Bath you can enjoy a vibrant, safe campus only one mile from the beautiful World Heritage City
Video discussion with Professor Andy Stables
What will I do on the course?
The programme units are drawn from the disciplines of education, psychology, sociology and philosophy. This means that you will study a range of social science content. In years one and two, the units offered (listed in the table below) generally fall into three broad categories that involve the study of social sciences and childhood, psychological perspectives, and research methods. The unit content will enable you to develop your knowledge and understanding about both academic and policy related issues. There are also optional units available for study from year two, allowing you to pursue broader academic interests in your degree. Last year our students chose, for example, units in criminal justice policy, welfare and the state, race and racism, and French as a language option.
The final year of the programme provides the opportunity to specialise according to your interests. The units offer a global perspective and focus upon some of the contemporary issues facing children and young people today.
Social sciences and childhood
In a range of units, you will explore how understandings of children, young people and their lives relate to broader issues in sociology, social theory and applied philosophy, as well as learning how such issues are treated in policy. You will also look at education and schooling in its social, economic and political context.
Psychological perspectives
About a third of the programme is taught by academics from the Department of Psychology. Units are offered that will develop your knowledge and critical understanding of the scientific underpinnings of psychology, the relationship between individual, social and cultural psychological processes, human development from birth to old age, attitude theory and social cognition, and recent research in the field of developmental disorders such as dyslexia.
Research methods
At Bath we place a strong emphasis on helping you to become research-oriented and research-informed students. You will study research methods in each of the first two years, and will spend a considerable proportion of your final year on a research dissertation of your own choosing, with the help of an individual supervisor. Much of the research training in years one and two will be designed to help prepare you for this final year project.
For more information see the full programme structure.
Work placement
Up to 12 months can be spent on work placement between your second and final year of study. As an applied social science degree, the placement year on this programme offers valuable real life experience of issues that you will have been studying. A year of professional work is highly valued by employers and may give you a strong advantage in the competitive job market when you graduate.
“The idea of a placement definitely made the course more attractive for me. We have complete freedom to choose whatever kind of work we are interested in but also get to take advantage of the links that the University has already established with other organisations. I’ve applied for a place at the Universidade de São Paulo in Brazil - it is a chance to go somewhere really exciting and experience a different culture.”
Lisa Tyler, BA Childhood, Youth and Education Studies, second year student
And after the degree?
The BA (Hons) degree in Childhood, Youth and Education Studies provides an academic foundation for a career in a range of fields such as education, child and youth research and services, social work, social planning, management and administration. It enables you to work in both government-related and non-government organisations whose concern is the welfare of children, families and young people. It provides an excellent basis for several different forms of professional training, for example, teacher training or social work. Achieving a 2:1 or above will also give you the opportunity to study for a higher degree and pursue an academic career in the social sciences.
Why choose Bath for Childhood, Youth & Education Studies?
"Friendly, helpful, informative, approachable staff who were positive about taking an application from a mature student."
"Great place, excellent resources, really friendly lecturers who are always ready to help."
"I love the city: it’s not too big for a first move away from home. It is very convenient getting to and from the university and everything is central."
"I have really enjoyed the variety of this course and it has introduced me to a lot of unknown and interesting topics that I would like to take further."
From current students on the programme, December 2009