
Childhood & Youth Development BA/BSc
Study of how children and young people grow, learn, and experience the world, exploring development, wellbeing, education, social influences, and the support systems that help them thrive from early childhood through adolescence.
YOUR PERSONALITY MIGHT BE:
Child-focused
Patient educator
Empathetic
Developmentally aware
POPULAR CAREER FIELDS
Education
Charity & NGO Sector
Healthcare & Public Health
Government & Public Sector
Is this for you?
Childhood & Youth Development BA/BSc
Is this for you?
IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
Study of how children and young people grow, learn, and experience the world, exploring development, wellbeing, education, social influences, and the support systems that help them thrive from early childhood through adolescence.
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About the Course
What is a Childhood & Youth Development degree?
A Childhood & Youth Development degree examines the biological, psychological, and social factors that shape childhood and adolescence.
You’ll study how children and young people develop emotionally, cognitively, socially, and physically, as well as how families, communities, schools, and services influence their wellbeing.The degree blends theory with real-world application, preparing students for careers in youth work, education, family support, community development, wellbeing roles, and further professional training in teaching or social care.
It suits students who want to support young people through periods of rapid growth and change.Why study Childhood & Youth Development?
If you’re passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people, this degree offers both depth and flexibility.
It helps you understand:How development differs across childhood and adolescence
How identity, relationships, and mental health evolve
How education, social environments, and digital culture influence growth
How youth services, safeguarding, and family support operate
How to work effectively with young people facing challenges
The degree is well suited to those interested in wellbeing, education, social justice, and youth empowerment.
Most Childhood & Youth Development degrees include studying:
Child and adolescent development
Youth culture, identity, and mental health
Education, learning, and social environments
Family and community support
Safeguarding, risk, and wellbeing
Research methods and applied practice
Understanding of child and youth development – enabling you to support young people effectively at different stages.
Communication and relationship-building – helping you work with children, families, and professionals with empathy and confidence.
Observation and assessment skills – allowing you to analyse behaviour, needs, and developmental progress.
Research and critical thinking – enabling you to evaluate evidence and apply theories to real-world challenges.
Professional and reflective practice – preparing you for roles that require ethical decision-making and emotional awareness.
A-levels or equivalent. Most universities accept a broad range of subjects. Psychology, Sociology, Health & Social Care, Biology, or English are beneficial.
Show enthusiasm for working with children or young people.
Mention relevant experiences: mentoring, youth work, childcare, volunteering, clubs, coaching.
Reflect on issues facing young people today (mental health, inequality, digital impacts).
Highlight empathy, communication, resilience, and problem-solving skills.
The Teenage Brain – Frances E. Jensen
A clear, engaging explanation of how adolescent development shapes behaviour and decision-making.Children & Young People’s Worlds – Montgomery, Kellett & Holbrook
A comprehensive introduction to childhood and youth studies from multiple perspectives.The Spirit Level – Wilkinson & Pickett
A powerful exploration of how social inequality affects wellbeing and development.How to Talk So Teens Will Listen & Listen So Teens Will Talk – Faber & Mazlish
A practical guide to communication with adolescents.
Gain experience in youth services or education settings.
Explore specialist pathways such as mental health, SEND, or family support.
Stay informed about youth policy, safeguarding, and wellbeing research.
Think about whether you want to progress into teaching, social care, or youth support.
Youth Work - Youth worker, youth development officer, detached youth worker, youth support worker
Family Support Services - Family support worker, family outreach worker, family intervention worker, family liaison officer
Early Years Practice - Early years practitioner, nursery practitioner, childcare worker, early childhood educator
Children's Services - Children's services officer, child welfare officer, safeguarding officer, children and families worker
Play Therapy - Play therapist (with further training), therapeutic play worker, play therapy assistant, child therapist
Education Welfare - Education welfare officer, attendance officer, pupil welfare officer, student support officer
Children's Advocacy - Children's rights officer, children's advocate, participation officer, youth voice coordinator
Youth Programming - Youth program coordinator, youth services coordinator, youth activities manager, youth project leader
All Degree Courses
Learn how to create animated characters, environments and visual effects using digital tools. Develop creative and technical skills for animation, games, film and interactive media.
Study the art and craft of visual storytelling for film and television. Learn how camera, lighting and composition shape mood, narrative and meaning on screen.
Study of professional cookery, food culture, and hospitality management, combining culinary skills with business, leadership, and operational knowledge for careers in the food industry.
Study of horse science, management, behaviour, and welfare, combining practical equine experience with scientific and business understanding of the equine industry.
Study of the Spanish language, cultures, histories, and societies of Spain and the Spanish-speaking world, combining language learning with cultural, historical, and social analysis.
Study of the Russian language alongside Russian history, culture, politics, and society, developing advanced language skills and deep regional understanding.
Study of the Arabic language and the cultures, histories, and societies of the Arab world, developing advanced language skills alongside deep cultural, political, and historical understanding.
Study of the Chinese language, culture, history, and society, developing advanced language skills alongside deep cultural, political, and global understanding of China and the Chinese-speaking world.
Study of the Italian language, culture, history, and society, developing advanced language skills alongside a deep understanding of Italy’s cultural and global influence.
Study of how meaning is transferred between languages and cultures, exploring translation theory, practical language skills, and the social, cultural, and professional contexts of translation.
Study of the German language, culture, history, and society, developing advanced language skills alongside intercultural understanding and critical analysis.
Study of the French language, culture, history, and society, developing advanced language skills alongside deep cultural and global understanding.
Study of acting, singing, and dance for the stage, developing performance, creative, and professional skills for careers in musical theatre and the wider performing arts industry.
Study of musical performance, technique, and artistry, developing your skills as a performer while gaining a deep understanding of music, practice, and the professional music industry.
Study of contemporary music creation, performance, production, and the music industries, focusing on popular genres and real-world creative practice.
Study of dance, acting, and singing for performance, combining technical training with creative development.
Study of dance as an artistic, physical, and cultural practice, combining performance, choreography, technique, and critical reflection to develop expressive, creative, and professional dancers.
Study of performance, character, voice, and movement, developing the practical, creative, and professional skills needed for acting across stage, screen, and digital media.
Study of literature, performance, and dramatic expression, combining critical analysis of texts with practical and theoretical approaches to theatre and performance.
Study of live performance, theatre-making, and contemporary performance practices, exploring acting, directing, devising, and performance theory through practical and critical work.
Study of performance, theatre-making, and dramatic texts, exploring how stories are created, staged, and experienced through acting, directing, design, and critical analysis.
Study of sound recording, editing, mixing, and production for music, film, television, games, and digital media, combining creative practice with technical expertise.
Study of how film, television, and digital media are shaped after filming, focusing on editing, sound, visual effects, colour grading, and post-production workflows that bring stories to life.
Study how to communicate ideas visually using typography, color, layout, and digital tools to create everything from branding and packaging to websites and social media content.
Study of painting as a creative, conceptual, and expressive practice, exploring traditional and contemporary approaches to image-making through studio-based learning and critical enquiry.
Study of clay, materials, form, and surface, exploring ceramic practice as both an artistic and design discipline through hands-on making, experimentation, and critical reflection.
Study of photographic practice, visual storytelling, and image-making, exploring photography as both an artistic medium and a professional tool for communication and creative expression.
Study of traditional and contemporary printmaking practices, exploring image-making, process, materiality, and concept through experimental and fine art approaches.
Study of drawing as both a traditional and contemporary art practice, exploring mark-making, observation, experimentation, and conceptual thinking as central tools for visual expression.
Study of three-dimensional art-making, exploring form, space, materials, and meaning through traditional and contemporary sculptural practices.
Study of visual art practice and theory, exploring creativity, experimentation, and critical thinking through making, research, and reflection across a range of artistic media.
Study of branding, consumer behaviour, digital strategy, and communications within the global fashion industry, combining creative insight with business and marketing expertise.
Study of clothing and accessory design, combining creativity, technical skill, and industry awareness to develop original fashion concepts and collections.
Study of how functional objects and furniture are designed, developed, and manufactured, combining creativity, craftsmanship, materials knowledge, and user-centred design.
Study of visual storytelling, image-making, and creative communication, developing your ability to convey ideas, narratives, and concepts through drawing, digital media, and visual experimentation.
Study of how products are designed, developed, and manufactured, combining creativity, technology, and user-centred thinking to create functional, innovative, and sustainable objects.
Study of how music is created, recorded, produced, and performed using modern technology, combining creativity with technical and scientific understanding of sound.
Study of vehicle and transport design, combining creativity, engineering awareness, and user-centred thinking to shape how people move in the future.
Study of fabric design, surface pattern, materials, and processes, combining creativity, technical skill, and visual research to design textiles for fashion, interiors, and products.
Study of how fashion products are selected, sourced, and sold, combining trend analysis, consumer behaviour, business strategy, and commercial decision-making within the global fashion industry.
Study of costume creation for performance, film, television, and digital media, combining historical research, design theory, and practical garment construction to bring characters and stories to life.
Study of how biological systems, organisms, and molecular processes can be applied to develop technologies and products that improve health, industry, agriculture, and the environment.
Study of animal life from cells to ecosystems, exploring how animals function, develop, evolve, and interact with their environments.
Study of animals, their biology, behaviour, evolution, and interactions with ecosystems, exploring life from genes to whole populations in natural and human-influenced environments.
Study of the mind and intelligent behaviour, combining psychology, neuroscience, computer science, linguistics, and philosophy to understand how humans and machines think, learn, and make decisions.
Study of the fundamental laws governing matter, energy, space, and time, forming the foundation of modern science and technology.
Study of the fundamental laws governing matter, energy, space, and time, developing mathematical, experimental, and analytical skills to understand the physical universe.
Study of the physics of the universe, exploring stars, galaxies, black holes, planets, and the fundamental laws that govern space and time.
Study of living organisms and biological systems, exploring life from molecules and cells to organisms, populations, and ecosystems through scientific investigation.
Study of the chemical processes that underpin life, exploring how molecules, enzymes, and metabolic pathways control biological systems.
If you're curious about how bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms shape the world, from human health to food production, a microbiology degree could be a great fit.
Study of living organisms and biological processes, exploring life from molecules to ecosystems through scientific investigation and experimentation.
Study of how the human body responds and adapts to physical activity, exploring performance, health, and wellbeing through scientific analysis of movement, physiology, psychology, and biomechanics.
Study of ideas, power, and resources, combining philosophy, politics, and economics to analyse complex social, political, and ethical issues in the modern world.
Study of religious beliefs, practices, texts, and traditions, exploring how religion shapes cultures, ethics, history, and contemporary society across the world.
Study of how digital and interactive games are designed, developed, and experienced, combining creativity, storytelling, technology, and player-focused design.
Study of fire and rescue operations, emergency management, leadership, and public safety, preparing you for management and leadership roles within fire and rescue services and related emergency organisations.
Study of policing, criminal justice, law, and public protection, preparing you for a career in policing through nationally recognised, evidence-based professional training.
Study of genes, DNA, and heredity, exploring how genetic information is stored, expressed, and altered, and how this shapes organisms, health, evolution, and disease.
Study of coaching theory, physical education, learning, and athlete development, combining sport science with educational practice to support performance, participation, and wellbeing.
Study of a broad range of subjects across the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, encouraging interdisciplinary thinking, intellectual flexibility, and independent learning.
Study of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds, exploring their literature, history, philosophy, art, politics, and lasting influence on Western culture and modern society.
Study of the histories, cultures, politics, and societies of East Asia, focusing on countries such as China, Japan, Korea, and their global influence through interdisciplinary perspectives.
Study of the history, culture, politics, and society of the United States, exploring American identity, power, diversity, and global influence through interdisciplinary perspectives.
Study of the histories, cultures, politics, and societies of Africa, exploring the continent’s diversity, global connections, and contemporary challenges through interdisciplinary perspectives.
Study of how children and young people grow, learn, and experience the world, exploring development, wellbeing, education, social influences, and the support systems that help them thrive from early childhood through adolescence.
Study of how to support children & young people with diverse learning needs, focusing on inclusion, SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), accessibilityand child dev.
Study of how young children grow, learn, and develop, exploring early education, play, wellbeing, and the social, cultural, and policy factors shaping the lives of children from birth to age eight.
A professional degree that prepares you to teach children aged 5–11, combining academic study with practical school placements and leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Study of the foundations of education, exploring how people learn, how schools and systems operate, and how social, psychological, political, and cultural factors shape educational experiences.
Study of how people learn and how educational systems operate, exploring teaching, child development, learning theories, policy, and the wider social and cultural factors that shape education.
Study of how organisations operate and how marketing strategies shape customer relationships, combining business management with branding, consumer insight, and digital communication.
Study of how the fashion industry operates, combining creativity with commercial strategy to understand branding, product development, supply chains, marketing, and the business decisions behind fashion brands.
Study of how retail businesses operate, focusing on customer experience, merchandising, buying, supply chain, store operations, leadership, and the strategic management of retail environments.
Study of how the tourism industry operates, focusing on travel, destination management, sustainable development, customer experience, and the business strategies behind global tourism services.
Study of how events are planned, designed, delivered, and evaluated, covering the creative, logistical, and business skills needed to run successful events in sectors like entertainment, corporate, cultural, and hospitality.
Study of how hospitality businesses operate, focusing on customer experience, service quality, operations, leadership, and the strategic management of hotels, restaurants, events, and tourism services.
Study of how human behaviour influences the workplace, exploring motivation, leadership, decision-making, and organisational culture to improve performance, wellbeing, and business outcomes.
Study of how financial institutions operate, how money flows through economies, and how businesses and individuals make financial decisions in global markets.
Study of how individuals and organisations make decisions, combining economic theory with real-world management practices to understand markets, strategy, leadership, and organisational behaviour.
Study of how economic principles are applied to real-world business decisions, markets, industries, and organisational strategy, combining analytical economics with practical business insight.
Study of how organisations record, analyse, and manage money, combining the technical skills of accounting with the strategic insights of financial management, investment, and economic decision-making.
Study of how financial information is recorded, analysed, and communicated, providing the technical and professional skills needed to support organisations, decision-making, and financial management.
Study of how organisations use digital tools, platforms, and data to reach audiences, build brands, and create impactful online marketing campaigns.
Study of how organisations understand customers, create value, and communicate effectively through branding, digital media, strategy, and market insight.
Study of how new ideas, businesses, and products are developed, exploring creativity, opportunity recognition, business start-up processes, and the mindset required to drive innovation in any sector.
Study of core business principles and management practices, exploring how organisations make decisions, manage people and resources, and operate in competitive global markets.
Study of how businesses operate across borders, exploring global markets, international strategy, cultural differences, and the challenges of managing organisations in a rapidly changing global economy.
Study of how organisations and teams are led, structured, and developed, focusing on decision-making, strategy, people management, and the dynamic challenges of modern workplaces.
Study of how organisations are structured and managed, focusing on business operations, leadership, strategic planning, and the coordination of key functions that keep companies running effectively.
Study of how organisations operate, make decisions, and create value, exploring key functions such as leadership, strategy, marketing, finance, people management, and operations.
Study of one or more modern languages alongside the cultures, histories, and societies in which they are spoken, developing advanced communication skills and intercultural understanding.
Study of past societies, cultures, events, and ideas, exploring how people lived, how power worked, and how historical change shapes the world today.
Study of the fundamental questions and ideas that shape human thought, exploring concepts such as knowledge, morality, consciousness, reality, and the nature of human existence.
Study of one or more modern languages alongside the theory and practice of translation, exploring how meaning moves across cultures and how language shapes communication in a global world.
Study of language as a system, exploring how it is structured, learned, used, and changes over time, and what it reveals about the mind, society, and human communication.


































































































