Curious about studying Childhood Studies - BA (Hons)at Leeds Beckett University? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Headingley Campus
Full Time
Sep 2026
3 Year
This dynamic degree takes you on a journey from early childhood through to young adulthood. Together, we’ll explore how people grow, learn, and are supported in families, communities, and early years settings (from birth to five years old). As part of this course, you’ll: * Study key ideas in child psychology, including development, behaviour, and learning * Develop a deep understanding of influences upon children and families * Explore how policy decisions impact children’s lives * Personalise your learning experience with specialist modules, placements, and an independent project The course emphasises both academic study and professional capabilities, equipping you with a range of transferable skills preparing you for rewarding and diverse future professions. By the time you graduate, you’ll have the knowledge, experience, and confidence for careers in education, family support, youth work, and beyond.
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Your course structure\ This course is structured around four themes: * Sociology & Social Policy – examines the relationship between the child, family, community, and state * Psychology & Development – investigates the various influences on child psychology and development * Contemporary Debates in Childhood – explores current issues relevant to children and families, including children's rights, childhood research, and ethical dilemmas * Critical Reflection and Research – strengthens your academic and professional skills, supporting your development to honours graduate level and helping you plan your future career
Study to suit you\ Tailor the degree to your interests with specialist modules in areas such as early years, psychology and inclusion, children and society, and teaching and education.
Shaping the future\ Build your confidence by undertaking an independent research project exploring factors that affect children and their families. You might focus on topics such as technology and neuroscience, social development, or the role of play. Your research will guide your learning and help you put best practice into action – supporting your development as a child-centred practitioner.
Breadth of learning\ You’ll be supported by experienced staff from a range of professional and research backgrounds, enriching your learning and broadening your perspective.
Professional Experience\ Across your degree, you’ll complete 270 hours of professional work in an area of your choice. This hands-on experience will help you focus your career goals and gain valuable insights into your chosen field.
Why study the BA Childhood Studies course at Leeds Beckett University?* Develop your professional identity by choosing modules that reflect your interests * Gain transferable skills through hands-on professional experience and independent research * Learn from a dedicated teaching team who offer personalised support * 100% of BA (Hons) Childhood Studies students were positive about the opportunities to explore ideas and concepts in depth\* * Benefit from coursework-based assessments with real-world relevance – and no exams \*National Student Survey 2026
Explore contemporary issues and debates relating to childhood. This module is designed to expand your knowledge of these issues while developing skills in academic, evidence-based writing. Drawing on a choice of topics, you'll produce a written assignment in the form of a literature review that considers a range of perspectives. Throughout your studies, you'll build a strong understanding of key concepts, theories, and methodologies relating to human development and the phases of childhood. You'll be equipped to compare different psychological explanations of child development and behaviour. By the end of the module, you'll be able to organise and communicate clear ideas, arguments, and opinions about the wide range of factors that influence children’s development. You'll also learn how to apply developmental theory to a variety of global contexts in which children live and grow. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Develop your understanding of classical sociological perspectives, models, and the values underpinning social policy in relation to childhood and youth. This module explores key inequalities affecting childhood and youth, including those relating to class, gender, ethnicity, religion, and impairment or disability. You'll also examine concepts such as cultural capital and social wealth, and their influence on agency, wellbeing, and life chances. In addition, you'll consider the role and impact of the media in shaping experiences of childhood and youth. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
This module introduces a range of key interpersonal and transferable skills to support your academic development and ease your transition into higher education. It's designed to help you become confident and competent in your engagement with academic learning, while also recognising your roles and responsibilities as a learner in higher education. Through a series of skill-based sessions – covering subjects such as critical analysis and academic writing – you'll build essential academic skills and develop a strong personal and academic identity. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
You'll build your knowledge and skills to increase your employability after graduation. You'll secure a two-week placement in a setting of your choosing to gain experience of working with or for the needs of children, young people or their families. You'll draw upon learning from your other modules to critically reflect on this experience and demonstrate knowledge of the main policies and ethical principles that underpin the profession. Drawing upon research and theory, you'll reflect on your own personal and professional development, and how this relates to your graduate employability portfolio. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
This module explores the development and implementation of children's rights through global human rights frameworks. These include the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. You'll examine the distinction between rights and other entitlements, along with the theoretical and philosophical foundations of human rights and their relationship to ideas of citizenship. You'll also engage in debates around whether children should have rights, what kind of rights they should have, and how these rights should be enacted. The module concludes with a critical examination of rights implementation and the extent to which human rights legislation has shaped the everyday experiences of children across the globe. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Develop your understanding of the changing and contested nature of childhood. Through a range of historical and cultural contexts, including accounts and representations by both adults and children, you'll build your ability to interpret diverse experiences of childhood. You'll be introduced to the methods and principles involved in studying childhood, along with key concepts, such as social construction, ideology, and discourse. By the end of the module, you'll have developed an awareness of the similarities and differences in how childhood is understood across time, cultures, and social groups. These may include differences shaped by social class, gender, and ethnicity. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Explore a range of psychological, sociological, and educational perspectives that influence provision and practice for children from birth to five years. Drawing on these perspectives, you'll begin to develop your own personal philosophy for working with young children. Throughout the module, you'll also engage in a series of learning activities, including interactive lectures and seminars, tutorials, video workshops, and collaborative group work. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Explore how philosophical thought has shaped conceptions of childhood across a broad historical period – from ancient Greece to the modern world. This module applies philosophical analysis to key questions, including how childhood is defined, and how ideas around children's rights, risk, moral responsibility, and social education have developed over time. By the end of the module, you'll demonstrate an understanding of the historical origins and development of Western philosophy, and the relationship between ideas and the socio-economic contexts in which they emerge. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Further develop the knowledge and skills you gained in your first year as you increase your employability after graduation. You'll secure a three-week placement in a setting of your choosing to gain experience of working with or for the needs of children, young people or their families. You'll draw upon learning from your other modules to critically reflect on this experience and demonstrate knowledge of the main policies and ethical principles that underpin the profession. Drawing upon research and theory, you'll reflect on your own personal and professional development, and how this relates to your graduate employability portfolio. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
This module introduces a range research methodologies and explores the ethical considerations involved in conducting research. It provides a solid foundation for developing your major independent study project in your final year. You'll learn to identify key debates in social and educational research, and develop a critical awareness of the values and assumptions that underpin different methodological approaches. Throughout, academic literature will inform your understanding. Upon completion, you'll have a well-rounded understanding of common data collection methods used in education and social research. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Understand the key approaches to support children and families across a variety of circumstances, including family support and social work. This module explores a range of theoretical and practical issues related to children's welfare and family support. Throughout your learning, you'll engage in a host of activities, including interactive seminars, tutorials, video workshops, and small group work. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Examine the key challenges facing contemporary society and the potential impact on children and families. You'll explore aspects of policy and legislation in relation to the sustainability agenda. This module will enable you to engage with theory, research and academic literature and gain an understanding and knowledge of the impact this may have on the UK and other societies. You'll be encouraged to reflect on how to equip yourself for the challenges of your career and future practice. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Build your knowledge and skills to increase your employability after graduation. You'll secure a four-week placement in a setting of your choosing to gain experience of working with or for the needs of children, young people or their families. You'll draw upon learning from your other modules to critically reflect on this experience and demonstrate knowledge of the main policies and ethical principles that underpin the profession. Drawing upon research and theory, you'll reflect on your own personal and professional development, and how this relates to your graduate employability portfolio. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Complete a research-based inquiry into an area of education/educational concern. This module will cover all aspects of the research process, from design through to presenting a written dissertation. You'll choose your own research focus, linked with your individual career aspirations. You'll need to put together a research proposal and a mandatory university ethics approval. Your dissertation will demonstrate engagement with the research process, analytical skills, and the ability to mobilise theory and evidence in synthesising new arguments. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
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