About this course
Take the next step towards a future supporting children and young people with our unique BA (Hons) Childhood and Psychology degree. Focusing on childhood from conception to 14 years, you’ll gain invaluable knowledge and skills to support your ambitions. This degree is for those planning a fulfilling career in a diverse range of sectors including education, social care and health care.
You’ll gain a broad view of childhood and explore relevant psychological perspectives. You will also carry out empirical research, equipping you with the skills needed to move into employment in the childhood and psychology sectors. In addition to studying the core themes, you’ll focus on modules related to psychology.
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.
This course is delivered through the Nottingham Institute of Education.
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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 to 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).
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What you’ll study
Our early experiences shape who we become in later life - and that’s exactly what makes this course so fascinating. You’ll gain a wide view of childhood and child development with specific reference to classic and contemporary psychological theory.
This degree will enable you to understand how children develop and how they can be supported using a range of interventions. You will also learn how to conduct empirical research using both quantitative and qualitative research techniques, as well as how to interpret all forms of empirical data. This will equip you with the knowledge and skills to move into a range of employment within the childhood and psychology sectors.
The broad range of modules available within this course will allow you to develop both personally as a learner and professionally, by incorporating the world of work and global perspectives into your studies. Key transferable skills are embedded in the modules and are reinforced whilst working alongside experienced practitioners.
Placement
You will have the opportunity to undertake a placement in Year One and Year Two. Placements can be in a wide range of educational settings, locally, regionally, nationally or even internationally. Placement options include working with disadvantaged children at a local authority provision; educational and support provision in a hospital context; supporting the provision of activities for children / young people with a range of disabilities and additional needs at a local charity or experiencing an outdoor Kindergarten in Denmark.
Putting your studies into practice helps you to understand your subject and its application in real-life. Placement opportunities support you both professionally and personally by ensuring you develop the key skills that will make you more employable at the end of your studies.
Here’s a year-by-year breakdown of what you’ll be studying during the course.
Academic and Professional Focus (20 credit points)
- This module supports you in your transition into Higher Education and in understanding what is expected at this level of study and beyond.
- You’ll be provided with the essential skills needed to be successful in your academic journey and introduced to a range of professionals within the university that will support you in your studies.
Environments for Learning (40 credit points)
- This module considers how a range of environments support aspects of children’s learning and development.
- A placement opportunity in a choice of mainstream educational contexts such as nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools will then allow you to apply your learning in this module, where you will observe and engage in current practice.
- You’ll make connections between how children learn and develop, as well as the curricula and educational provision that can support this.
- You’ll also gain an awareness of the theoretical models and practice pioneers which influence current practice in education and other wider learning environments.
Understanding Children’s Holistic Development (20 credit points)
- This module explores the diverse ways in which children develop holistically (from conception to 14 years), as well as the range of biological factors and wider influences that effect this process.
- You’ll build knowledge of theoretical and philosophical perspectives, as well as strategies and approaches that support our understanding of the ways in which development can be positively promoted by parents and practitioners.
Contemporary Childhoods (20 credit points)
- This module examines children’s rights in both national and global contexts, with a focus on interprofessional discourses and different educational and sociological perspectives to support your personal and professional learning and development.
- Issues around the rights of the child and how professionals can respect and promote those rights will form key elements within this module.
Introduction to Developmental Psychology (20 credit points)
- This module provides an overview of core developmental psychology theories and key concepts relevant to a range of childhood topics that will be explored in more depth later in the course.
Enabling Environments for Children and Communities (20 credit points)
- This module explores a range of environments and services that support children, families and the wider communities they live within.
- You’ll develop criticality when examining the social influences impacting on the lived experience of children, young people and families with a range of different support needs.
- You’ll gain an understanding of the wider context for children and families during a community-based placement, either locally, nationally or internationally. Examples of placements may include community play therapy, charities for child refugees, teaching English in Bali or supporting children with Special Educational Needs in a Romanian school.
Researching Contemporary Childhoods (20 credit points)
- Through this module, you’ll gain understanding of and apply research methodology and ethical considerations by designing an ethical small-scale study.
- You’ll compile a literature review and undertake a pilot study in small groups.
- The module enables you to prepare for your independent research dissertation in your final year by giving you a starting point in understanding the range of terminology and processes related to research.
Social Constructions of Childhood (20 credit points)
- This module explores how the concept of childhood is socially constructed by the times and places in which children live and with the individuals involved in shaping their experience.
- You’ll be able to examine some key themes, in the socio-cultural context of children’s learning and development in relation to historical, legal and social perspectives using different types of evidence and materials.
Global Childhoods (20 credit points)
- Is childhood universally experienced around the Globe? The module examines this concept, exploring children’s lived experiences across a range of international contexts.
- You’ll develop an understanding of various educational approaches and practices, and the factors and theories which influence decisions made about policy and provision for children and young people.
- You’ll reflect on the similarities and differences between the UK and other countries, evaluating the reasons for differences.
Social Influences in Children and Early Adolescence (20 credit points)
This module takes place at the NTU City Campus.
- This module introduces you to several fundamental concepts in social psychology and links these to a range of experiences during childhood and early adolescence.
- You’ll examine a range of social influences (families, peers, and outside influences) which impact on children's social learning and development.
Research Methods in Psychology (20 credit points)
This module takes place at the NTU City Campus.
- This module introduces you to the basics of understanding, collecting and analysing quantitative data using surveys and the fundamentals of the nature of quantitative data.
- You’ll learn a range of skills including how to create a research question, use appropriate software to create surveys, work in teams to collect the data, analyse the data using appropriate statistical tests, present the data appropriately and write up a laboratory report.
Research Dissertation (40 credit points)
- As part of this module, you’ll design and carry out a research dissertation project in relation to children’s learning and development.
- You’ll acquire and link theory and practice to support your development as an informed educational researcher and reflective practitioner.
Leaderful Practice (20 credit points)
- This module investigates aspects and issues for leadership in a context which interests you.
- You’ll learn about the theories and principles of leadership and engage in individual reading, research and planning in a chosen context in the childhood sector.
Sustainable Childhoods (20 credit points)
- This module identifies what is meant by a sustainable childhood and consider a range of theoretical models and underlying viewpoints which underpin the notion of sustainable childhoods.
- You’ll take a global, contemporary viewpoint regarding sustainable childhoods and use a range of theory and practice concepts.
- You’ll be challenged to reflect on global initiatives and professional practices within the context of sustainability.
The Psychology of Therapy and Intervention (20 credit points)
This module takes place at the NTU City Campus.
- This module explores a range of psychological interventions and support for children’s learning and development.
- You’ll critically compare and evaluate the effectiveness of different approaches, applied to case study scenarios.
The Psychology of Language and Literacy Development (20 credit points)
This module takes place at the NTU City Campus.
- This module explores the development of language and literacy during childhood and early adolescence, It examines interventions that have been used to support language and literacy in educational settings.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
How you're taught
We've introduced flexible and innovative ways of learning and teaching to develop your study skills and understanding of theory and practice. Methods include:
- lectures
- seminar discussions
- independent study
- practical work
- project work
- workshops
- placements and work-like experiences.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment will be on your coursework and there are no formal exams during the course. Academic support and guidance are provided through our tutor support structure. Regular tutor feedback is given on your work in order to help you improve, develop your skills and begin to plan for your future career.
How you're assessed
- Year 1 coursework
- Year 2 coursework
- Year 3 coursework
Contact hours
You will have around 10-12 hours per week of contact time (lectures, seminars and workshops) with our teaching staff which is around 30% of a full-time week. Approximately 90% of our teaching is in-person. The remaining 70% of your time will be devoted to independent study.
Careers and employability
Your career development
What skills will I develop?
A Childhood and Psychology degree combines the study of two interrelated disciplines, childhood and psychology. You’ll explore the major psychological perspectives as well as the broad range of childhood modules.
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 Psychology 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 and Psychology degree is an excellent foundation for careers working with children and young people in many sectors including health, education and social care.
This degree is not accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
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 Psychology 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 Psychology 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.
If you’d like to know more about NTU’s groundbreaking Employability Promise, and the support you’ll receive both during and after your course, visit our Careers and Employability page.
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
You’ll mainly be studying in the Ada Byron King building, home to Nottingham Institute of Education.
Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep our students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your coursemates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!
You’re also right next to the bright lights of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. All through termtime, a dedicated on-campus bus service will get you to the heart of the action (and back) in under 25 minutes. You’ll find a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
Take our virtual tour to get a real feel for the campus.
Entry requirements
UK students
Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications.
Contextual offer: 104 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Additional requirements for UK students
An Enhanced with Barred List(s) DBS check and a satisfactory placement suitability check.
Contextual offers
If you don’t quite meet our entry requirements, we might be able to make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and your individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer, and we get data from UCAS to help make these decisions. We do this because we believe everyone with the potential to succeed at NTU should have the opportunity to do so, no matter what barriers you may face.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Other qualifications and experience
NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.
We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.
Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
Academic entry requirements: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four A levels. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
An Enhanced with Barred List(s) DBS check and a satisfactory placement suitability check.
If you need help achieving the academic entry requirements, we offer a Foundation preparation course for this degree. The course is offered through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC) based on our City Campus.
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
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Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
