Program Overview

This course explores childhood from an interdisciplinary and international perspective.

During this course, you will gain a familiarity with interdisciplinary perspectives and frameworks from fields such as education, psychology, sociology, philosophy and social policy in the study of children and childhood. You will engage with the debates, analysis and critique of current international and national research. You will also explore the policy and practice implications of such research.

Whether you are a practitioner wanting to develop professionally or looking for the next level of academic study, this course will help you to critically explore key childhood related themes, including child development, children’s rights and the global child. You will also develop an understanding of key issues in relation to children, and become familiar with the diversity of children’s experiences over time and space.

Studying the MA Childhood in Society will enable you to advance both academically and professionally, whatever you stage of development. You will be working with others who are passionate about the importance of childhood and childhood studies. Being part of a vibrant education studies department offers a wide range of optional modules that will enable you to personalise your studies to meet your professional or academic goals and share ideas with students and staff from across the department. Interactive teaching sessions will provide you with a varied learning experience and help you to develop useful collaborative and employment skills.

At the end of the course, you will engage in an independent research study that allows you to further develop and explore an area of personal or professional interest. By the end of the course you will be well positioned and equipped to continue with further academic study or to work in leadership positions relating to childhood and children’s education, in addition to informal and non-formal educational institutions and organisations, including but not limited to NGOs, charities, local government educational provision.

Skills from this degree

• Develop a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current issues within childhood
• Explore concepts and issues relating to childhood across a range of country contexts, and understand how childhood intersects with other levels of education
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of research strategies and techniques appropriate for use with children and childhood research
• Utilise research originally and critically to interpret and apply knowledge
• Evaluate existing methodologies within educational research
• Develop new hypotheses to provide new insights into children’s lived experiences and professional practice relating to childhood contexts.