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Undergraduate

Childhood and Youth

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A picture to illustrate studying childhood and youth at The Open University

If you’re working with children or young people, or are hoping to do so, our Childhood and Youth Studies programme offers a wide choice of one-off courses and qualifications that cover the full age range and can help your career. Start slowly, if it suits, and go as far as you need. We offer certificates, foundation degrees and honours degrees from the early years through adolescence to young adulthood.

By studying with the OU you can increase your awareness and appreciation of what it really means to grow up in today’s rapidly changing world, and become more effective in your role.

Degrees

  • Childhood and Youth Studies
    This degree is for those who work or intend to work with children and young people, or for those with more general interests in the interdisciplinary field of childhood and youth studies.
  • Early Years
    Gain the specialist knowledge you need to work with children aged 0-7 in early years and education settings with this degree.
  • Top-up BA Early Years
    Top-up your sector-endorsed foundation degree in early years to this degree, with or without honours, gaining the specialist knowledge to work with children aged 0-7.
  • Youth Justice Studies (England and Wales)
    If you work with young people in the youth justice system, this qualification will increase your skills and knowledge and have a real impact on your practice.
  • Youth Work
    This degree enables students to qualify as a professional youth worker and is for practitioners working with young people (13-19) in informal educational settings.
  • Open degree
    The BA/BSc Open Degree is a qualification that gives you a huge choice in terms of subjects and modules that you study to make up your degree.

Foundation Degrees

  • Early Years
    If you’re an experienced practitioner working with children from birth to seven years old in an early years setting, this degree will further your knowledge and skills.
  • Primary Teaching and Learning
    This foundation degree develops the professional knowledge and skills required by teaching assistants and classroom assistants supporting children’s learning in primary schools.
  • Working with Young People
    This degree develops the skills and knowledge of those working with, and leading work with, young people (13–19) to support their informal education.
  • Youth Justice (England and Wales)
    This foundation degree will suit anyone working in the youth justice system (including the secure estate), volunteers working in this field, and those planning to join the youth justice workforce.

Certificates of Higher Education

Courses in Childhood and Youth

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

Postgraduate options

If you already have a degree, you may want to see postgraduate courses and qualifications in Childhood and Youth.

Are you already an OU student ? Go to StudentHome for your personal prospectus information.

Spotlight on Childhood and Youth

Start with an Openings course

If you are a new or less confident learner (and living in the UK), Openings courses offer a gentle introduction to OU study. With lots of support and no exams, they will build your confidence and study skills.

Childminding or working in early years?

Looking for a professional qualification? The Certificate in Early Years Practice (C37) is ideal if you’re working in this sector without a professional qualification – as a childminder, in a playgroup or nursery setting, as a teaching assistant, or volunteering in these areas. This NQF Level 4, sector-endorsed qualification will enhance your existing role and could give your career a boost.

Qualifications for prior learning

If you’ve got experience in a caring professional area but no qualifications, then Make your experience count (U122) could be just what you’re looking for – the opportunity to gain credit towards higher education qualifications by drawing on your prior learning experiences.

 

Your questions

We may have already answered it in our frequently asked questions.

Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90 +44(0) 845 366 60 35

Employers' questions

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