Program Overview

Children's Rights and Participation (PgCert)

Overview

This programme meets the increasing demand for a fully online postgraduate qualification in Children's Rights and Participation, explicitly focused on interdisciplinary research and child rights-based research methods.

Course Structure

Hosted by the internationally renowned Centre for Children’s Rights, this online PG Certificate builds on existing specialisms in the Centre across children’s rights law, policy and practice. A fully online approach has been adopted for this mode which includes a mixture of live and pre-recorded lectures, online live tutorials, online discussion forums, and guest speakers.

Modules

Core Modules

• Perspectives on Childhood and Youth (online) (10 credits)
• Children's Rights and Participation (20 credits)
• Foundations of Children's Rights (20 credits)
• Childhood and Youth Research in Practice (10 credits)

Entrance Requirements

• Normally a strong 2.2 Honours degree (with minimum of 55%) or above or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any subject discipline.
• Closing date for applications: Thursday 31st July 2025 at 4pm
• Late applications may be considered.

International Students

• Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

• Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required.
• *Taken within the last 2 years.

Tuition Fees

• Northern Ireland (NI) £2,434
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) £2,434
• England, Scotland or Wales (GB) £3,083
• EU Other £7,166
• International £7,166

Career Prospects

• There is increasing demand for high-level skills in interdisciplinary research, participatory research methods and knowledge of children's rights.
• Professionals within children/human rights-focused NGOs, public officials, educators, social workers and health professionals who work with children should find this degree beneficial.
• The PG Cert is a good foundation for students wishing to pursue their own research through further study.

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

• In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills.

International Scholarships

• Information on scholarships for international students, is available at [insert link]

How to Apply

• Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Terms and Conditions

• The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.

Course Location

• Social Sciences, Education and Social Work

Perspectives on Childhood and Youth (online)

Overview

This is an introductory module for students undertaking one of four pathways in the suite of Masters programmes on childhood and youth.

Learning Outcomes

• Critical understanding of the range of perspectives used to study childhood and youth.
• Understanding of conventions for critical review of academic articles.

Skills

• Develop skills of critically analysing argument, methodology, evidence and use of literature as appropriate.
• Develop skills to write within an identified disciplinary context, drawing on inter-disciplinary perspectives in order to develop criticality.

Children's Rights and Participation

Overview

The module will introduce students to children’s right to participation as enshrined in Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the key conceptual components of Article 12 UNCRC, and the importance of related UNCRC articles
• Understand and engage with theoretical debates on the right to participation and the tensions surrounding the perceived extent and limits of children’s autonomy
• Critically evaluate the extent of children’s active involvement in a range of decision-making processes.
• Identify the challenges to participation for different groups of children and young people

Skills

• Provide a rationale for children’s involvement in decision-making processes
• Use Article 12 UNCRC as a benchmark against which to evaluate practice
• Identify ways and strategies of actively involving children
• Undertake independent legal and policy research on children’s involvement in decision-making processes

Foundations of Children's Rights

Overview

The module will introduce students to the international children's rights laws affecting children, with a particular focus on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Learning Outcomes

• Find, read and apply international human rights texts
• Understand the key human rights provisions which apply to children and how these are implemented in practice.
• Develop a critical understanding of the research literature.
• Understand and engage with the theoretical debates on children's rights.
• Employ international standards to evaluate existing policies and practices in relation to children
• Identify areas where change may be necessary in order to comply with international human rights principles.

Skills

• Use human rights research data bases to identify and evaluate information of relevance to specific areas of investigation.
• Conduct independent legal research and assess the usefulness of information.
• Explain core principles of human rights law as it affects children.
• Apply human rights law to professional practice, using it as a tool for critical evaluation of practice

Childhood and Youth Research in Practice

Overview

This is an introductory module for students undertaking one of four pathways in the suite of Masters programmes set up under the auspices of the Improving Children’s Lives Initiative.

Learning Outcomes

• An appreciation of the practical and methodological issues involved in carrying out research with children and young people in a chosen discipline / field.
• Critical understanding of some of the ethical issues involved in research with children and young people.

Skills

• Identify and justify a research question within a specific discipline.
• Identify key ethical considerations in relation to a research question and / or research population.
• Demonstrate ability to suggest realistic and informed strategies to deal with ethical and methodological issues in research with children and young people.