Course summary

How do children see the world? Does where they’re born, and how they’re raised, make a difference to this? On our MA Social Sciences (International Childhood) course, you’ll explore the historical, geographical and cultural definitions of childhood across continents, civilisations and centuries. You’ll gain new perspectives on their rights and lived experiences. Compulsory and optional modules are delivered through blended learning. You’ll explore topics such as child mental health, social relations, and children’s experiences of national and international migration. You’ll develop critical study skills, master social science research methods and work on a substantial independent research project. You also have the choice of an international field trip. Visiting a different country will give you a fresh perspective on childhoods completely different to your own experience. Or you can take everything you’ve learned and apply it during a work placement. This course is also ideal for those working with children, including teachers and recent graduates. What you'll study In your first semester, we’ll introduce you to social research approaches. By critically analysing the history, geography and culture of childhood during different time periods, you’ll come to understand the various lived experiences of international children’s rights. During semester two, you’ll apply everything you learned in semester one in a practical environment. You’ll choose between an international field trip, or work-based learning. You can also take on self-directed learning, exploring child mental health or social relations. You’ll complete a dissertation at the end of the programme. It’s an excellent opportunity to undertake supervised social research on a topic of your choice.