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A picture to illustrate studying childhood and youth studies with the Open University

We have developed an exciting inter-disciplinary programme of postgraduate provision in Childhood and Youth that is underpinned by a commitment to integrated practice. The programme offers progression through a postgraduate certificate to a full masters degree.

The programme will suit you if you’re a graduate professional working with children and young people, and you’re seeking to advance academically and professionally; or if you have an unrelated degree and are looking to move into the profession; or if you are considering moving between professions within the sector.

The programme is relevant to graduates working in early years provision,  education, social work, nursing, health care, youth work, youth justice or the voluntary sector. You might also be interested if you have completed the BA (Hons) in Childhood and Youth Studies or the BA/BSC (Hons) in Health and Social Care. 

The MA comprises two new 60 point compulsory courses that can be studied in any order. One compulsory course – Children and young people’s worlds: frameworks for integrated practice (E807) – is running from October 2009, and a second course  – Critical practice with children and young people (K802)  – starts in October 2010. You will then need to study 60 further points selected from a list of 30 point and 60 point optional courses (see the link to courses, below), or alternatively you can transfer up to 60 points credit from any other appropriate postgraduate course in this diverse field of study. Link to the full qualification description (below) for full details.

Where to start in Childhood and Youth

The recommended course to start with when studying this programme of postgraduate provision in Childhood and Youth is:

Taught Masters

  • Childhood and Youth
    This qualification is ideally suited if you are either a graduate professional working with children and young people or hoping to move into that area.

Courses in Childhood and Youth

See the list of all our individual courses in Childhood and Youth.

Postgraduate research degrees

For information about postgraduate research degrees, visit the Research Degree pages.

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