Childhood Studies

Childhood studies is the interdisciplinary examination of children's lives, development and experiences across a range of social, cultural and institutional contexts. It draws on sociology, psychology, education, social policy and law to understand how childhood is constructed and experienced, how children's development is supported and hindered, and how professional intervention can make a meaningful difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people. The field takes children's rights and perspectives seriously, insisting that children are agents in their own lives and not merely recipients of adult decisions.

At the University of Leeds, this three-year full-time programme includes a sandwich year, a work placement and a year abroad. The sandwich and placement elements give you structured professional experience in settings where children and young people are supported, which might include schools, early years settings, children's services, youth organisations or therapeutic contexts. This direct experience is central to the discipline, grounding theory in the realities of practice and developing the professional skills and awareness that employers value.

The year abroad allows you to examine how other societies conceptualise childhood, organise services and support children's development, which enriches your comparative understanding.

You will study child development, safeguarding frameworks, children's rights, the sociology of family and childhood, educational policy and the principles of effective professional practice with children. Research skills, reflective thinking and the ability to communicate clearly in professional contexts are developed throughout.

Graduates go on to careers in early years and primary education, social work, youth work, family support, community development, policy research and advocacy, children's charities and the civil service. Many go on to further professional qualifications, including early childhood education, social work, teaching or educational psychology. Some pursue postgraduate research in childhood studies, education or social policy.