BA (Hons) Childhood and Family Studies

UCAS code: L592

BA (Hons) Childhood and Family Studies

When and where can I study this course?

Location Study mode Duration Start date Apply
Walsall Campus Part-Time 5/6 year(s) 17/09/2012 APPLY DIRECTLY
Walsall Campus Full-time 3 year(s) 17/09/2012 APPLY VIA UCAS
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Aims

The Childhood and Family Studies (CAFS) degree will develop the skills and knowledge required for a range of careers working with children, their families and the services that support them, in both education and social care contexts.

The course is suitable for people new to this area or experienced staff searching for career development.

Work experience placements are an integral part of the course and can be negotiated in a variety of settings such as schools, nurseries, community care centres, hospitals, social services, libraries, children’s centres and other relevant settings.

Employability

Teaching and learning is designed to support digital literacy through use of a range of online tools, such as virtual learning environments and e-portfolios, and students are encouraged to share knowledge and be enterprising with their ideas. An international perspective is taken to the degree and students will also have the opportunity to learn about how other countries support children and their families.

  • You may go into teaching, lecturing or research in the field of Childhood and Family Studies
  • There are a range of options in community care, family support, play work, youth work, nursery management, children’s charities or work within initiatives such as SureStart.
  • If you want to become a teacher you may choose to undertake a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
  • You could also choose to apply for a Master’s Degree in Social Work or gain further qualifications as a play therapist or youth counsellor

·There is also the option for you to gain Early Years practitioner status (EYPS) which enables people working with children under the age of five to demonstrate the excellence of their personal practice and their ability to lead the practice of others.

Content

In Year 1, you will explore how children and young people develop and consider issues around safeguarding and promoting well-being. In addition to this you will be introduced to current educational themes and debates and key theoretical questions underpinning Childhood and Family Studies.

During your second year you will look at families and communities in context and explore theoretical approaches to learning. You will be asked to apply the knowledge you have gained to lead discussions, present information and carry out educational research.

The final year will allow you to analyse how inequality can be tackled through inter-agency working and will widen your perspective on children’s rights and cultural issues.

Example modules:

  • Growing up in the 21st Century
  • Power, Inclusion and Diversity
  • Studying Children and Young People
  • Representations of Childhood and Youth
  • Leading and Managing Change
  • Communication, Language and Literacy

Entry

2012 entry

Applicants must have GCSE English at grade C level or above (or equivalent)

AND

  • 200 UCAS points from ‘A’ levels or equivalent
  • BTEC National Diploma grade MMP, BTEC National Certificate DM
  • Access to HE Diploma full award (Pass of 60 credits - of which a minimum of 45 credits must be at level 3 including 18 at Merit or Distinction).

If you've got other qualifications or relevant experience please consult the UCAS tariff tables or contact us before applying.

International student language requirements and application guidance can be found at http://www.wlv.ac.uk/international/apply

Other Requirements

Students must have studied a minimum of two years post GCSE level. However, it is expected that some applicants will be mature students with work experience, who wish to further their career development. These applicants will be processed through standard procedures, which may involve an interview as part of the process.

Those who do not meet the entry requirements may be offered an alternative course.

Outcomes

As a graduate of this course you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the importance and challenges of inter-agency working in order to meet the needs of children, young people and families.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the expected pattern of children’s development from birth, pedagogical approaches for working with children, young people and families and methods of researching these.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of issues in relation to rights, diversity, equity and inclusion in relation to working with children, young people and families both in the UK and abroad.
  • Be aware of, analyse and make critical judgements about key concepts, theories, new principles and issues of policy in a systematic and enterprising way.
  • Reflect on your own value system and identify future learning and professional goals.
  • Communicate clearly a wide range of theoretical positions to a range of audiences using appropriate media and technologies in order to develop your digital literacy.

Why WLV?

  • The teaching team are from a range of professional backgrounds including education, health professions, social work and youth work and are all actively involved in research
  • You can choose which age group you wish to focus on depending on your personal interests and career aspirations
  • There will be an opportunity for you to have placement experience in an ‘educare’ setting

Testimonials

"Very friendly, approachable and helpful lecturers have helped to make the learning experience more enjoyable and accessible and this has helped to build my confidence".

"Tutors have been fantastic, I have also met some really great people."

"I did a PGCE after the course and now work as a year one teacher in a fantastic school."

"Doing the assignments on the course meant I became computer literate which is a really important skill in my work as a nursery manager."