Childhood Studies with Integrated Foundation Year

Childhood studies is an interdisciplinary field that takes seriously the lives, rights and experiences of children from birth through adolescence. Drawing on developmental psychology, sociology, social policy, education and health, it asks how children grow and learn, how social structures and inequalities shape their life chances, and how practitioners can support children and families effectively. The discipline is grounded in a commitment to understanding childhood on its own terms, not simply as a preparation for adult life.

At the University of Sunderland this four-year programme begins with an integrated foundation year, which is designed to support students who are returning to education or who need to build academic confidence before progressing to full degree-level study. The foundation year provides a supported entry point into higher education, developing the study skills, academic writing and subject knowledge that will serve you throughout the honours programme. A year abroad is also built into the degree, offering the opportunity to study in a different country and to understand how approaches to childhood, child welfare and education vary across cultural and policy contexts.

As you move through the degree, you will explore theories of child development, the sociology of childhood and family, child protection and safeguarding frameworks, education policy, and the professional and ethical dimensions of working with children. Research methods and critical analysis feature throughout, and you will be encouraged to draw connections between academic theory and the realities of children's lives.

Graduates from childhood studies programmes move into a wide range of roles working with children and families, including early years education and childcare, social work (typically requiring further professional training), family support, youth work, school support roles, play work and community education. Many go on to teacher training, social work qualifications or postgraduate study in areas such as special educational needs, child protection or educational leadership. The degree is also a strong foundation for research careers in child welfare, education or developmental psychology.