What you study Develop your understanding by exploring issues around the complexities of childhood. A combination of academic study and work placements gives you the skills to support children across a diverse range of ages and backgrounds. You also develop the knowledge and confidence to work in an inclusive way with children and young people. Key areas of study may include • children's well-being • children's rights • childhood policy and practice • working with children • doing research with children • sociology of childhood • safeguarding children and young people. In your first year you are introduced to study skills to support your academic study and have an academic tutor throughout the course. As well as studying core modules, in your second and third year you choose optional modules that reflect your interests and career aims. One option is to study forest schools, a Scandinavian-inspired learning approach conducted in local woods. You develop outdoor skills and gain a forest schools qualification. During your final year you develop your own research project and carry it out while on placement. Recent topics have included • the use of humour in secondary schools • using music to help children to communicate • friendships • outdoor learning • literacy • learning and gender • well-being • pupil voice. You take part in a range of activities that help you explore your subject in new and different ways. There are self-managed academic learning tasks, such as guided reading and research, note taking, literature searches and action planning. You also participate in group work such as sharing and presenting ideas and developing your own research. Placements and work experience Through spending time in a range of work based placements each year you gain valuable experience and professional skills, which support you in your future career. Practical experience is reinforced through reflection and links with modules. We find you a placement unless you choose to source your own. These can take place in nurseries, pre-schools and primary and secondary schools, or you can apply to work in other settings such as youth clubs, after-school clubs, children's hospitals, or charities working with looked-after children or young parents. This allows you to work with children, young people, families and professionals. In your first year you work with children aged 0–7 years, and in your second with children from 8–17 years. This variety of experience helps you explore which settings you want to work in. In your third year you specialise in an area of your choice.

The course gives you a versatile degree that is of value in its own right as well as providing an excellent foundation for careers in • education • teaching • social work • working with children, young people and families • youth work • health related careers. As a graduate, you can find careers across a range of children’s services. Careers include • working for voluntary sector organisations • family support • work in schools as a learning mentor or teaching assistant. Other graduate level opportunities are also available to you in areas outside of children’s services. A number of our students go on to study a postgraduate qualification in subjects including social work, education and research. Others progress to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) to qualify as teachers. Prepare for your future career We can help you gain the skills and experience employers are looking for and prepare you for your future career. We offer you opportunities to become more employable by gaining hands-on experience and developing work-ready skills that will impress employers expert careers advice and guidance through one-to-one adviser appointments, workshops, events, recruitment fairs and literature specialist support with becoming self-employed including free access to specialist business advice and office resources to improve your chances of success