About This Course
At the heart of this course is a view of 21st Century children and young people as social actors: people with something to say, with resilience, with complex lives that are experienced amidst all the cultural, social, educational and political shifts that happen in the world around them. It can lead to a wide range of careers including teaching, social work, counselling and law where you’ll make a real difference to the lives of young people.
This dynamic, multidisciplinary degree at Bangor University offers you the opportunity to study a diverse range of topics. These can support you in pursuing careers within a variety of areas including teaching, social work, counselling and law. Our teaching team have expertise and backgrounds in psychology, sociology, children’s rights, linguistics, education, forensics, health and welfare. This rich and diverse learning environment is a unique trait of our course, and gives you the opportunity to study childhood and youth from multiple perspectives.
The 3-year course is designed around three pathways, with modules relating to psychological, sociological and educational perspectives on issues relevant to childhood and youth in theory and in practice. The first year is designed to provide you with a strong foundation in all three strands. The second year continues to build upon these strands and to develop effective practice by working with employers in the fields in order to develop working knowledge and to make important connections with future employers and service providers. This leads up to year three, where you can study at least four topics selected from the range of modules that are currently available across the pathways. In this final year you will also complete a major research project which enables you to deepen your expertise and knowledge in your chosen area. This course also includes guest speakers as well as opportunities to study abroad and opportunities to present at conferences helping you develop both your academic and employability skills. Every year you’ll have the opportunity to undertake placements to develop your understanding of aspects of children’s needs and development and to carry out research into current issues and practice.
This Childhood and Youth Studies degree aims to address the present demand for well-qualified specialists able to work with children, young people and their families in a range of contexts, in the community and in institutions. The programme combines sound academic grounding with a practical and active dimension that will produce professionals well able to address the challenges of a contemporary, active society in a bilingual country.
This is the English-medium course. The UCAS code for the Welsh-medium course is different.
Why choose Bangor for this course?
- Work placements to develop your understanding of children’s needs and development.
- Professional and academic expertise across a diverse range of areas such as children’s rights, family law, bilingualism, education, social care, mental health, literacy, additional learning needs and inclusion.
- Study all or part of your course through the medium of Welsh.
Additional Course Options
This course is available with a Placement Year option where you will study for 1 additional year. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year.
The Placement Year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider. You would normally start sometime in the period June to September of your second year and finish between June and September the following year. Placements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.
You will be expected to find and arrange a suitable placement to complement your degree and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated member of staff at your academic School and the University’s Careers and Employability Services.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option when you have started your course at Bangor and can make an application for a transfer onto this pathway at the appropriate time. Read more about the work experience opportunities that may be available to you or, if you have any questions, please get in touch.
This course is available with an International Experience Year option where you will study or work abroad for 1 additional year. You will have ‘with International Experience’ added to your degree title on graduating.
Studying abroad is a great opportunity to see a different way of life, learn about new cultures and broaden your horizons. With international experience of this kind, you’ll really improve your career prospects. There are a wide variety of destinations and partner universities to choose from. If you plan to study in a country where English is not spoken natively, there may be language courses available for you at Bangor and in your host university to improve your language skills.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option at any time during your degree at Bangor and make your application. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.
Read more about the International Experience Year programme and see the studying or working abroad options on the Student Exchanges section of our website.