Childhood and Society BA (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): X388
- Start Date(s): September 2023
- Duration: Three years full-time
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: Clifton Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
Are you ready to take the next step towards making a positive impact on children’s lives? Our unique BA (Hons) Childhood and Society degree will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to support your aspirations. Focusing on childhood from conception to 14 years, this degree is for those planning a rewarding future in a diverse range of areas including education, social care and health care.
You’ll gain a broad view of childhood; child development and how different societies consider childhood. In addition to studying the core childhood themes, you’ll focus on modules related to society.
Give real-life context to your studies and become even more attractive to future employers with our enhanced placement opportunities. You’ll be well prepared for the world of work with our extensive network of 600 partnerships in a wide range of settings. There’s even the opportunity to take your placement overseas.
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Placement opportunities and work-like experiences through over 600 partnerships with local schools, colleges and organisations. -
Option to take your placement overseas. Opportunities include teaching in Sri Lanka and working with young children in a Ghanian orphanages. -
Interdisciplinary course ideal for students from a range of different backgrounds looking to pursue a career in a range of sectors. -
Guaranteed interview for a PGCE Primary teacher training course at NTU on completing your undergraduate degree (terms and conditions apply).
What you’ll study
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
Careers and employability
Your career development
What skills will I develop?
A Childhood and Society degree enables you to develop a solid understanding of childhood in the contexts of families, peers and society at both a national and international level.
You will develop key transferable skills, including:
- written communication developed through writing essays
- oral communication skills gained through reasoned debates during seminars and presentations
- the ability to work as part of a team, though collaborative group work
- research and analytical skills with the ability to judge and evaluate information
- organisational and time management skills by prioritising tasks to ensure academic, social and work commitments are completed on time
- negotiation, informally with peers and formally with staff
- problem solving
- critical thinking skills
- digital skills.
How can I boost my career prospects?
Childhood and Society graduates that go on to further study tend to take courses that lead to professional status. The most popular option is the postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE), as many graduates go on to work as primary school, early years or special needs teachers, as well as further or higher education lecturers. Other popular professional courses include nursing and postgraduate courses in social work. Employers are often supportive of further study and may support employees by providing funding or time off to complete coursework.
Your future career
A Childhood degree is an excellent foundation for careers working with children and young people in many sectors including health, education and social care.
Job options
Jobs directly related to your degree include:
- Early Years Teacher
- Family Support Worker
- Learning Mentor
- Teaching Assistant
- Youth Worker
- Early Help Advisor
- Leaders and Managers of Services and Provision for Children
- Youth Mental Health Worker.
Possible careers with postgraduate study:
- Primary School Teacher
- Special Educational Needs Teacher
- Social Worker
- Child Psychotherapist
- Paediatric Nurse
- Community Development Worker
- Counsellor
- Educational Psychologist
- Speech and Language Therapist
- Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner
- Play Therapist
- Midwife.
Typical employers
Childhood and Society graduates enter employment in a variety of sectors with a range of employers including local authorities, local and national charities, state and independent schools, nurseries, health authorities and within the community.
Children's Centres and the National Health Service (NHS) also employ graduates from Childhood and Society degrees.
Links with industry
We involve industry experts in our courses in a number of ways.
- We consult with employers when we design and update our courses.
- We ensure you are prepared to meet the demands of the workplace by continually checking the currency and validity of our courses with employers.
- You will have the opportunity to have a work placement (if not already in paid or voluntary employment).
- Employers may input directly into your course through guest lectures, projects, and other work-related activities.
Enrichment opportunities
In order to enhance your skills and knowledge, you will also be able to experience a range of enrichment opportunities on the course such as training and Continuing Professional Development (e.g. paediatric first aid and Makaton) which will be attractive to future employers as you look for graduate roles.
Learn a new language
Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have.
Learning a new language can:
- enhance your communication skills
- enrich your experience when travelling abroad
- boost your career prospects.
Find out more about the University Language Programme.
Guaranteed interview scheme: teacher-training
One of the benefits of the course is the broad knowledge and experience you will gain. This experience may lead you to consider teaching, even if you have not considered this as a career before. If you complete your degree, you are guaranteed an interview for a PGCE Primary teacher-training course at NTU during your third undergraduate year (subject to places being available).
Terms and conditions apply:
- Applications will be withdrawn and not be progressed to interview stage once all places are filled on relevant courses
- Interviews are subject to you meeting the essential entry criteria for the PGCE course at the time of application, such as GCSE requirements, degree grade
- An interview does not guarantee an offer to study on the course.
Campus and facilities
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Writing your application and personal statement
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You’ve got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
Diversity of our students
We are committed to promoting a diverse and representative body of teacher trainees. We welcome applications from under-represented groups, such as male applicants, applicants from BME communities, mature applicants and those with disabilities.
All applicants welcome
We welcome applications from prospective students with a range of qualifications and experience, and all are assessed on an individual basis. Mature applicants who do not meet the standard entry criteria can still be considered providing they have relevant experience to compliment any qualifications. All applicants will need to apply through UCAS.
Keeping up-to-date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!
You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.