Childhood Studies

Our degree in Childhood Studies will allow you to explore a diverse range of areas that are pivotal to children’s lives and will equip you with the skills and expertise necessary to work in a range of child-related professions. Whatever direction you choose, this Childhood Studies degree from Aberystwyth University will give you a solid foundation of the knowledge and understanding, along with the critical and evaluative skills that employers are looking for.

Our Childhood Studies programme will allow you to explore some of the sociological and psychological factors that influence the development of children. You will also develop an understanding of the political and legislative background to childhood and its implications for children and their families.

At a more personal level, you will develop your capacity for critical thought, as well as improving your ability to work with others in a variety of different contexts. You will also be given the opportunity to learn about a variety of different careers, so that you can make an informed choice about what to do after Graduation.

Support for students

Every student is allocated a Personal Tutor. As far as possible, this person will stay with you for the duration of your degree. You will be offered regular meetings, initially help you to settle into University, and later to talk about career prospects, analyse your assignment feedback and discuss other aspects of your life at University.

The School of Education also makes sure that there is always a member of staff available if problems crop up during the working day – information about this is sent out at the beginning of term.

What will I study? In each year, core modules give you a solid foundation in essential aspects of Childhood Studies, for example In Year 1, core modules cover topics such as how young children learn and the development of intelligence, personality and perception in children. Optional modules may include topics such as the importance of play, the historical development of childhood provision in Wales and England and key skills for University. In Year 2, core modules cover topics such as theories of thinking and learning and the development of literacy in young children. Optional modules include a placement module, the study of bilingual education and cultural diversity in education In Year 3, you will tailor your programme to suit your interests through your dissertation. You may also explore Special Educational Needs or children’s rights, or even choose to present a scientific topic to the public.

How will my work be assessed? A variety of assessment techniques will allow you to play to your strengths. Some modules are assessed through exams and essays, but you may also complete projects, bibliographic exercises, reflective diaries, posters, and presentations. Our exam weighting is no more than 50% in any module. In addition, in your final year you will be tasked with creating a learning game for children or for other students. You will have to make a game and present it with an academic rationale.

This degree has an excellent track record in the employability stakes. Testament to this is the fact that all of last year’s Childhood Studies graduates were in work or further study within 6 months of graduating (3% more than Education graduates nationally, according to the Destination of Leavers in Higher Education 2017). Our graduates have followed these pathways:

Humanitarian Organisations;

Teaching and Education (including SEN);

Social Care;

Nursing;

Speech therapy;

Social work;

Child welfare;

Play therapy;

The Leisure industry;

Child Law;

Childhood research.