About BA (hons) Childhood in University of Suffolk
The BA (Hons) Childhood programme embraces an interdisciplinary, multifaceted philosophy which offers an expansive platform upon which to critically explore childhoods and children’s lives.
The programme focuses on the multi-disciplinary nature of the study of childhood, which embraces diverse academic disciplines such as sociology, education, psychology, history, philosophy, social policy and health. In the later years of study, you will have the opportunity to acquire specific knowledge and understanding in specialised aspects of childhood and their associated career opportunities through one of three discreet pathways. These pathways will be specifically named in the final degree award.
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Pathway 1: Disability, Health and Wellbeing: offers a grounding in human development from an ecological perspective; health, well-being; and disability, from both a bio-psycho-social perspective and the disability-studies, rights-based approach.
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Pathway 2: Education: examines early and primary education and the underpinning values of professional practice. Practice modules are available within this pathway. You can work towards an optional Early Childhood Graduate Competencies certification, developed by the Early Childhood Degree Network (ECSDN) and supported by the Department for Education (DfE).
On this course, you will engage with children, understand their rights, listen to their experiences, and prioritise these without imagining to be fully cognisant of the child’s world. You will be equipped to do this through an extensive range of modules, which build on a diversity of social sciences without privileging one perspective over another. Through this array of lenses, you will interrogate contemporary issues and debates within childhood from local, national and international contexts.
An in-depth understanding of diversity and difference in children and childhoods will enabling you to develop, adopt and champion inclusive and participatory attitudes and practice throughout your studies and into your future career. We want to equip you with the skills to become change agents in your future organisations and communities.
The academic team draws on years of academic and professional expertise in childhood, education, child health, development and therapeutic working. You will benefit from close working relationships with a highly qualified teaching team who will help you to explore and uncover the fascinating world of children and childhood.
Career opportunities
The Childhood programme and its pathways provides the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of childhood for students who aspire to work directly with children, their families and/or with the services that support them. Employability has always been central to the Childhood programme here at the University of Suffolk. We encourage all students to undertake work/practice experience in whatever form is most accessible and appropriate for the individual student.
The Childhood programme enables students to go into a range of careers working with children and their families as well as further graduate education such as Initial Teacher Training, Postgraduate Certification, and further studies at Masters’ and/or Doctorate level. Graduate destinations have previously been situated within the areas of education, early years provision, family support work, social care, therapeutic settings and charitable organisations.
Entry requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) where English is not the students' first language.
