Course summary
This postgraduate degree offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of childhood and youth – covering aspects of theory, policy and practice. It is ideal if you are a graduate professional working with children and young people and seek to advance academically and professionally. It’s also suitable if you’re not currently working with children or young people but are looking to move into this professional field. The degree deepens understanding and develops practice through a wide range of case studies within a global context that links theory to practice. It explores the many different contexts of children’s and young people’s lives, analysing policy and organisational changes and exploring what it means to be a critical, reflective practitioner. It also offers you flexibility within the final dissertation module, where you’ll choose between a small-scale inquiry or an extended literature review and research proposal. It will be of particular interest if you have completed an undergraduate degree in Childhood and Youth Studies, Early Years or Early Childhood, Education Studies (Primary), Social Work or Health and Social Care. Key features of the course
- Equips you with the critical tools to analyse policy and to reflect on your own practice.
- Designed to help you develop professionally and meet the diverse and changing needs of children and young people.
- A strong focus on multi-agency working and inter-professional practice.
- Offers a choice between a small-scale inquiry or an extended literature review and research proposal.
- Gives you the option to count your previous study towards this qualification, helping you pay less and finish sooner.
Modules
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits by completing three compulsory modules.
Entry requirements
You must have a bachelors degree from a UK university (or equivalent) to study this course. Your degree can be in any subject, although childhood and youth studies, sociology, health and social care, anthropology, psychology or education are particularly relevant. Please note: It is a legal requirement in the UK, rather than an Open University requirement, that you must obtain Enhanced DBS clearance (or equivalent in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) in order to work with children on the module, Masters multi-disciplinary dissertation: education, childhood and youth (E822). This is the responsibility of you and your employer and not The Open University. If you are in doubt about your eligibility or to find out more, you should contact the relevant agency in the country in which you are proposing to conduct your study for more information. Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum score of 7 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Additional fee information
As fees for individual modules can vary, the total cost you pay for your qualification depends on the modules you choose to study. For further information about fees, please refer to the course description on The Open University website.
Provider information
Open University
Student Recruitment Team
PO Box 197
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BJ