Children, Young People and Society with Foundation Year

Children, young people and society is a degree that takes seriously the lives, experiences and rights of the youngest members of society, asking how childhood and adolescence are shaped by family, community, culture, policy and economic circumstance. It draws on sociology, psychology, social policy, law and education to understand how children develop, how social inequalities affect their life chances, and how institutions and professionals can best support them. The discipline is motivated by a commitment to making a real difference in people's lives, and it prepares graduates for work in some of the most demanding and rewarding professional contexts in public life.

At York St John University this four-year full-time programme begins with a foundation year, which provides additional academic preparation for students entering from a wide range of educational backgrounds. The programme also includes a year abroad, giving you an international perspective on how children and young people are supported in different national systems. You will engage with child development, safeguarding, poverty, mental health, looked-after children and leaving care, youth justice, family policy and the international rights of the child, developing the knowledge and analytical skills to work confidently in complex, high-stakes professional environments.

The typical entry tariff is around 104 UCAS points.

Practical experience is central to the programme, and you will engage with professional contexts through placements and collaborative learning with people working in social care, education and related services. The degree prepares you for further professional training and for the range of roles in which the welfare and development of children and young people is central.

Graduates pursue careers in children's social work, youth work, family support, early years education, youth justice, residential care, charities and voluntary organisations working with young people, and policy and advocacy roles. Many go on to professional qualifications in social work or education. Postgraduate study in social work, education, childhood studies or social policy is a well-supported next step.