Childhood Studies

BA Childhood Studies Code X320 Attend an Open Day Attend an Open Day

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Key Facts

X320

UCAS Tariff

112 - 96
Course duration

3 years

Available for September start 2025

The degree in Childhood Studies at Aberystwyth University will enable you to develop the knowledge and understanding needed to excel in child-related professions. You'll explore a diverse range of areas and factors that influence a child and that are pivotal to a child’s later development.

The course will draw upon a variety of disciplines including sociology, psychology and educational studies to broaden your knowledge and promote critical thinking. You'll explore some of the factors that influence the development of children, as well as developing an understanding of the political and legislative background to childhood and its implications for children and their families.

Within the course, there are opportunities to undertake placements to gain observational experience of work within an educational/childhood setting. In the past, these have included health settings, nurseries and schools.

Course Overview

Why study Childhood Studies at Aberystwyth University?

The School of Education has been offering stimulating and innovative study programmes for over 100 years. We were the first establishment in the UK to offer an honours degree in Education and our Childhood Studies degree is a vital part of our provision.
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 improve 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 graduating.

Our Staff

Undergraduate lecturers in the School of Education are either qualified to PhD standard or are experienced practitioners in their field. All teaching staff currently possess, or are working towards, a recognised teaching qualification.

Modules September start - 2025

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

Core

Module Name	Module Code	Credit Value
Children's Development and Learning *	ED14520	20
Key Skills for University	ED13620	20
Language Development	ED14320	20

Options

Module Name	Module Code	Credit Value
Health and Wellbeing in the Early Years	ED14620	20
Partnerships in Principle and Practice *	ED14420	20
Play and Learning:Theory and Practice	ED13720	20

Core

Module Name	Module Code	Credit Value
Literacy in Young Children	ED20220	20
Psychology of Learning and Thinking *	ED20120	20
Research Methods	ED20320	20

Options

Module Name	Module Code	Credit Value
Discourses Language and Education	ED22420	20
Education, Diversity and Equality	ED20420	20
Making Sense of the Curriculum	ED20820	20
Safeguarding and Professional Practice	ED24320	20
Working with Children	ED20620	20

Core

Module Name	Module Code	Credit Value
Emotional and Social Development	ED34820	20
Major dissertation	ED33640	40
Mathematical Development in the Early Years	ED30320	20

Options

Module Name	Module Code	Credit Value
Assessment and Education *	ED30120	20
Children's Rights	ED30620	20
Special Educational Needs	ED30420	20

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

About this course

In order to undertake some of the modules for this degree, it may be necessary for you to obtain a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check through the School of Education at a cost of about £40. In some circumstances the cost may be higher, especially if you’ve lived outside of the UK for a period of time.

Careers

This degree has an excellent track record for employability. Many of our graduates have pursued careers in:

teaching and education (including SEN/ALN)
social care
nursing
speech therapy
social work
child welfare
play therapy
the leisure industry
child law
childhood research.

Transferable Skills

Studying for a degree in Childhood Studies will equip you with a range of transferable skills which are highly valued by employers. These include:

the ability to express ideas and communicate information in a clear and structured manner, in both written and oral form
effective problem-solving and creative thinking skills
the ability to work independently
time-management and organisational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines
self-motivation and self-reliance
team-work, with the ability to discuss concepts in groups, accommodating different ideas and reaching agreement
research skills.

What work experience opportunities are available to me while I study?

Find out about the various opportunities that our Careers Service offers. Enhance your employability prospects with our Year in Employment Scheme.

Teaching & Learning

How will I learn?

In the School of Education we provide a variety of learning opportunities:

Lectures in larger groups allow you to gain outline knowledge of the ideas and concepts involved in each module. You will be encouraged to discuss key points with your fellow students, to answer questions and to develop your opinions and consolidate your learning. Sound recordings of all of our lectures are available for as long as you are registered on the course at Aberystwyth.
Seminars in smaller groups involve work in more detail on specific aspects of modules. These may involve more practical applications of ideas from lectures, or detailed analysis of pieces of research or other reading.
Workshops are practical. Tasks are set which involve group and individual work on topics like study skills. Sometimes, these also involve visiting speakers. Recent innovations involve the use of Virtual Reality headsets to bring your learning alive.

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.

Student Testimonials

I simply love my course because the topics we discuss are interesting and relevant to the world of childhood. The lecturers are very passionate about the subject, which is also reflected in the varied ways in which we are assessed - we even had the opportunity to design our own game! This is so much more hands-on and realistic when working with children than a dry exam! Overall, my confidence in a variety of topics and my abilities have been strengthened which is always a good thing in any career. I would definitely recommend the course to anyone who is interested in working with children and I can assure you that you are given great support by staff in any kind of academic situation! Caroline Korell

Childhood Studies is an amazing course. As the content is so broad it has given me so many chances to explore new and exciting areas! The highlight for me would have to be having the chance to carry out work placements in varied settings, gaining hands-on experience, which is essential for my future career plans. I love my degree! Chloe Tinsley-Hall

Childhood Studies is an enjoyable and interesting subject. It gives all students the opportunity to express and develop themselves as individuals. We are continually encouraged to extend our learning through extra study and activities in the department and university. The correct balance of exam/coursework ratio in the degree scheme allows students to reach their full potential. All the staff are friendly and supportive; they help us whenever they can whether academically or socially. Eleanor Thompson

Typical Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff 112 - 96

A Levels BBC-CCC

GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4):
English or Welsh

BTEC National Diploma:
DDM-MMM

International Baccalaureate:
30-26

European Baccalaureate:
75%-65% overall

English Language Requirements:
See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Country Specific Entry Requirements:
International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.

The University welcomes undergraduate applications from students studying the Access to Higher Education Diploma or T-level qualifications, provided that relevant subject content and learning outcomes are met. We are not able to accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas or T-levels as a general qualification for every undergraduate degree course.
Our inclusive admissions policy values breadth as well as depth of study. Applicants are selected on their own individual merits and offers can vary. If you would like to check the eligibility of your qualifications before submitting an application, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for advice and guidance.

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