Childhood and Youth Studies

Childhood and youth studies is a broad, interdisciplinary field that takes the experiences, rights, and development of children and young people as its central concern. Drawing on psychology, sociology, education, social policy, and health sciences, it asks how children develop and learn, what factors promote or undermine their wellbeing, how social structures and institutions shape their lives, and how professionals, families, and communities can best support them. As digital technology and social change transform the environments in which young people grow up, the discipline has never been more relevant.

At the University of Bedfordshire, this four-year full-time degree with foundation year is designed to make a real difference to the lives of children and their families. The foundation year gives you the academic grounding to engage with degree-level content before you move into the honours programme. Throughout the degree, you will explore child development and child welfare alongside the social policies and legislation that govern provision for children and young people.

You will begin with foundational knowledge before choosing from specialist options that allow you to develop expertise in areas such as mental health, disability, SEND, and youth violence. The programme connects up-to-date theory with practical experience, developing your understanding of the needs of children and young people in a digital age alongside the professional knowledge to work effectively in their support.

Bedfordshire's strong connections to schools, social care, health services, and voluntary organisations in the region give the programme real professional grounding.

Graduates go on to careers in early years education, youth work, social care, family support services, SEND provision, mental health services for children and young people, and educational administration. Many pursue postgraduate training in social work, educational psychology, or counselling. The degree is also a foundation for further study in education, child and family studies, or public health.

The knowledge and skills it develops are directly applicable to any role that involves supporting or working with children, young people, and their families.