Childhood and Society BA (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- Typical Offer: 104 - 112 UCAS tariff points
- UCAS Code(s): X388
- Start Date(s): September 2024
- Duration: Three years full-time
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: Clifton Campus
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.
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 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
This course will allow you to develop a solid understanding of childhood in the contexts of families, peers and society at both a national and international level. As you develop and broaden your understanding of childhood, you will undertake research enquiries and placement opportunities, enabling you to reflect critically on perspectives of childhood.
The broad range of modules available within this course gives opportunities for 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 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.
Children and Society (20 credit points)
- This module explores how childhoods have changed over time through different national and global social contexts.
- You’ll develop a more critical awareness of societal influences and the debates surrounding the key issues in the support and development of children and young people.
- You’ll gain a broad view of childhood and child development including how different societies consider childhood, and how this relates to social concepts of childhood, culture, childcare, education and schooling.
Supportive 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.
Societal Dimensions of Childhood - Part One (20 credit points)
- This module explores a range of contemporary societal influences that influence childhood in various contexts, both nationally and globally.
- You will gain a broad view of key legislation, policy and practice in relation to these influences including an exploration of current debates.
- You’ll research organisations that support children, young people and their families both nationally and globally in order to promote children’s rights and sustainable childhoods.
Societal Dimensions of Childhood - Part Two (20 credit points)
- You’ll engage with a specific issue that influence children, young people and their families taught in Part One. You will explore in-depth the impact of this issue on childhood as well as acknowledging and recognising challenges in society that have an impact on children, families and communities.
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.
Digital Childhoods (20 credit points)
- This module explores how growing up in the digital environment impacts on a child’s development shaping their behaviour and experiences as well as how children’s wellbeing in the digital environment is as important in any other physical setting.
- You’ll cover current debates around the issue of understanding risk and misunderstanding, parental advice and regulatory protections alongside a critique of the media use, attitudes and understanding among children and young people.
Policy for Children and Families (20 credit points)
- This module focuses on a case study in which you will identify key aspects of impact for the child and their family.
- You’ll examine various legislation and policies for children and families with the focus on global, national, and local infrastructures.
- You’ll explore aspects of working partnership with professionals and families to identify strategies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within statutory, independent and voluntary sector services.
- You’ll develop an awareness of the importance of legislation and policy children’s outcomes and the implications when there are challenges faced.
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.
Contact hours
- Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (23%), independent study (69%) and placements (8%)
- Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (22%), independent study (68%) and placements (10%)
- Year 3 lectures/seminars/workshops (16%) and independent study (84%)
How you’re assessed
- Year 1 coursework (100%)
- Year 2 coursework (100%)
- Year 3 coursework (100%)
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
Entry requirements
What are we looking for?
- Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications.
- Contextual offer: 104 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications.
Other requirements
You will also need to complete:
- an Enhanced with Barred List(s) DBS check; and
- a satisfactory placement suitability check.
Contextual offers
A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.
Other qualifications and experience
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
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.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
What are we looking for?
- 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications
Other requirements
You will also need to complete:
- an Enhanced with Barred List(s) DBS check; and
- a satisfactory placement suitability check.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)
You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
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.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
Additional Costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your undergraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government. Visit our fees page for more information.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
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.
Additional Costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Students completing the four year degree may choose to apply for a study abroad option instead of a work placement (or a mixture of study abroad and work placement) during the third year of the course. If successful, students will be expected to pay for accommodation, travel and living costs whilst on study abroad/placement. Travel grants and Erasmus funding may be available to help fund international travel costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
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.