MA Childhood Studies

The MA Childhood Studies offers a unique psychosocial focus, seeking to understand not only the outer social experience of children but also their complex inner, emotional worlds. Building upon existing expertise in postgraduate courses like refugee care, psychoanalytic studies, and psychodynamic counselling, this programme offers much more than you would find in other MA Childhood Studies courses.

Overview

• Course: Childhood Studies
• Start date: October 2026
• Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
• Duration: 1 year
• Location: Colchester Campus
• Based in: Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies

Our inherently interdisciplinary programme is rooted in psychosocial, sociological, and psychodynamic approaches. Drawing on the history of Childhood Studies and the best contemporary research, including the excellent research and practice experience of our academics, modules will explore a variety of subjects, including:

• Families and peer relationships
• Emotions and the inner worlds of children
• Education
• The role of play and leisure
• Generation and intergenerational relationships
• Gender and sexuality
• Race and ethnicity
• Cross-cultural experiences of childhood
• Children, popular culture, and literature
• Children with disabilities
• Children and the state
• Ethical research with children and young people
• Spaces and places of children's lives
• Intersectionality

Our Expert Staff

Within Childhood Studies, our faculty are specialists in some key research areas, including:

• Childhood geographies
• Relational and psychosocial approaches to childhood
• Childhood and popular culture
• Postcolonial and decolonial theory
• Critical methodologies for research with children
• Children's learning and education
• Feminist and queer theory
• Child psychoanalysis
• YA literature and film
• The social history of childhood
• Critical race studies

As active writers and researchers, we are on the cutting edge of current trends in our field and publish regularly in leading academic journals.

Specialist Facilities

If you are studying within our Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies, you will have access to our extensive facilities to aid your learning and research. In particular, our Albert Sloman Library is well-stocked with books, journals, electronic resources, and major archives relevant to our work, and we have our own library of specialist books and journals.

Your Future

You will develop key employability skills, including thinking analytically, evaluation, essay-writing, research methods in psychoanalysis, and an understanding of psychoanalytic thinking, applicable to clinical and academic work. Our MA Childhood Studies will equip you for a career in sectors including education, health, international fields such as the charitable sector and NGOs, social care including children's homes, therapeutic communities, and supporting children and their families. This course also acts as a stepping stone to further qualifications in specific professions such as social work or counselling, as well as PhD study.

Entry Requirements

UK Entry Requirements

• A 2:2 degree or international equivalent in one of the following subjects:
  • Anthropology
  • Childhood Studies
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Communication and Media Studies
  • Counselling
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminology
  • Drama and Theatre Studies
  • Early Years Studies
  • Economics
  • Film Studies
  • Health and Social Care
  • History
  • History of Art
  • International Relations
  • Journalism
  • Languages
  • Law
  • Literature and English
  • Nursing
  • Philosophy
  • Politics and Government Studies
  • Psychology
  • Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies
  • Social Policy
  • Social Work
  • Sociology
  • Teaching and Education
  • Youth Work
• With your online application, you must submit a personal statement; this should detail the reasons for wanting to study the course, including any relevant experience (work or voluntary) that may support your application.

International & EU Entry Requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries.

Structure

Course Structure

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Components

• Core: You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
• Core with Options: You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component, but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
• Compulsory: You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
• Compulsory with Options: You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
• Optional: You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

Year 1

• COMPONENT 01: CORE - Critical Debates in Childhood and Childhood Studies (30 credits)
• COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY - Research with Children and Young People (30 credits)
• COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY - Children's Emotional Worlds (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY - Geographies of Childhood and Youth (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS - Option from list (20 credits)
• COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY - Relational Childhoods (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 07: CORE - Dissertation - Childhood Studies (60 credits)

Teaching

• Postgraduate students in the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies typically have 2 hours of contact time for each module per week.
• Teaching takes place in relatively small seminars and fora, with a focus on group discussion.
• You also have a personal tutor who advises you about your work on an individual basis.

Assessment

• For most modules, assessment is by coursework only, typically an essay of between 3,000-5,000 words.
• You develop a dissertation of 12,000 words, in which you define and research into an area of special interest to you.

Fees and Funding

Home/UK Fee

• £11,025

International Fee

• £23,875

Scholarships and Financial Support

There may be scholarships, bursaries, or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.

University of Essex

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Overview:

The University of Essex is a public research university located in Colchester, Essex, England. It is known for its strong academic reputation, particularly in the fields of social sciences, humanities, and law. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, as well as short courses and apprenticeships.

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Services Offered:

The university provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:

Accommodation:

Guaranteed, affordable accommodation for new undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Student Support:

A variety of support services are available to students, including academic advising, career counseling, and mental health support.

Careers and Employability:

The university offers resources and programs to help students develop their career skills and find employment.

Essex Sport:

A wide range of sports facilities and activities are available to students, including fitness classes, performance sport, and scholarships.

Faith:

The university provides support for students of all faiths.

Cost of Living Support:

The university offers financial assistance to students who are struggling with the cost of living.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

Students at the University of Essex can expect a vibrant and diverse campus experience. The university has a strong sense of community, with a variety of clubs, societies, and events to get involved in. The university also has a beautiful campus, with green spaces, lakes, and modern facilities.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Strong Academic Reputation:

The university is consistently ranked highly in national and international rankings.

Excellent Research:

The university is a leading research institution, with a strong focus on innovation and impact.

Diverse and Inclusive Community:

The university is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students.

Excellent Student Support:

The university provides a wide range of support services to help students succeed.

Beautiful Campus:

The university has a beautiful campus, with green spaces, lakes, and modern facilities.

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Academic Programs:

The University of Essex offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

Undergraduate Programs:

The university offers a wide range of undergraduate programs in the arts, humanities, social sciences, law, business, and science.

Postgraduate Programs:

The university offers a wide range of postgraduate programs, including master's degrees, PhDs, and professional qualifications.

Short Courses and CPD:

The university offers a variety of short courses and continuing professional development programs.

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Other:

The university has three campuses: Colchester, Southend, and Loughton. The Colchester campus is the main campus and is located in a beautiful parkland setting. The Southend campus is located on the seafront and offers a more urban experience. The Loughton campus is home to the university's drama school, East 15 Acting School.

The university is also home to a number of research centers and institutes, including the Centre for Research in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management (REIMI) and the Human Rights Centre.