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Develop your understanding of children, childhood, and youth. Choose from three different pathways depending on your interests, previous experience, and career goals. Graduate capable of working in a wide range of sectors.
Are you passionate about working with children and young people and ready to take your career to the next level? This ground-breaking and highly-flexible postgraduate course in childhood and youth studies could be perfect for you.
Depending on the pathway you choose, you'll graduate with one of three MA degree titles:
You'll be taught by experienced lecturers with professional backgrounds in children and young people, early years, and youth work. Our modules will give you an understanding of the theoretical perspectives through which childhood and young people are currently defined within interdisciplinary contexts. You'll also critically reflect upon current legislation, policy, and practice.
You'll evaluate organisational structures and provision which regulates and promotes children’s and young people’s status, welfare, health and wellbeing, and learning. You'll interpret different political issues and events, past and present, that impact on children and young people. You'll also develop your knowledge and skills in research which will enable you to undertake advanced research projects in the social sciences.
Please note, a member of the course team will advise you on the most suitable pathway, as the MA Childhood and Youth Studies (Early Years Graduate Practitioner Competencies) and the MA Childhood and Youth Studies (Youth Work, professionally validated and recognised by JNC) have entry requirements and placements which necessitate previous experience in the field.
During the MA Childhood and Youth Studies course, you'll be taught through a mixture of on-campus workshops and seminars, as well as completing individual projects and research. Those undertaking the Early Years Graduate Practitioner Competencies pathway will have a minimum of 25 days placement – some will require 80 days placement depending on their experience. Those undertaking the professionally qualified Youth Work pathway will undertake 400 hours of learning through placement.
You'll be assessed via essays, portfolios, poster presentations, research projects, presentations, and your 15,000 word dissertation.
Throughout this childhood and youth studies course you'll have one-to-one support from academic staff to help you with your assignments. You'll also be assigned a Personal Academic Tutor.
If you choose a degree in social science, you could be presented with a wide variety of job opportunities when you graduate. We’ve compiled a list of seven potential jobs you could go into with a social science degree to give you some inspiration.
Read about the jobs you could get with a social science degree
We caught up with Senior Lecturer, Drew Dalton, to find out why social sciences are a great area to study at degree level and how they can make you think differently.
Explore the impact studying social sciences can have on the way you think
We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.
We usually require applicants to hold at least an upper-second class honours degree (2:1 or above) or equivalent. Experience may be counted towards your application.
Those who are interested in the MA Childhood and Youth Studies (Early Years Graduate Practitioner Competencies) or MA Childhood and Youth Studies (Youth Work, professionally validated and recognised by JNC) should have a relevant degree in the area and some experience working with children and youth respectively. An interview and satisfactory DBS will also be essential for entrants interested in either of these two pathways.
We welcome graduates from a wide range of areas such as social sciences, psychology, education, and health.
Fees are:
Part-time fees are £500 per 10 credits. Please note, part-time study isn't available to international students who require a student visa to study in the UK.
Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
The MA Childhood and Youth Studies course has strong appeal for those aiming for a career within early years provision, youth work, education, social work, nursing, healthcare, youth justice, and the voluntary sector – including charities and NGOs.
You'll graduate with the ability to advance academically and professionally, move into the profession or within the sector, or into a senior, managerial, or supervisory role. Those who graduate with a JNC qualification will be eligible for the higher levels of salary scales set by the Joint Negotiating Committee for Youth and Community Workers.
Read more about what you can do with a Social Science degree.
If you undertake the Early Years Graduate Practitioner Competencies pathway, you'll spend a minimum of 25 days on placement – some will require 80 days on placement depending on your experience. If you undertake the professionally qualified Youth Work pathway, you'll undertake 400 hours of learning through placement.
When it came to making a decision about where to study, I knew there would be no better place.
Being taught by highly skilled, specialist lecturers within the field has been invaluable.
I’m leaving Sunderland with the confidence to support young people navigate life's challenges.
My time at Sunderland has been an impactful journey that's equipped me for my career.
The University of Sunderland has a fantastic reputation with regards to youth work.
My lecturers have been great, helping me and the other international students to really settle in.
