Program Overview

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Course summary

Childhood Studies is the social science of childhoods and adolescence. At Bristol, our interdisciplinary BSc Childhood Studies course focuses on children from birth to 19 years. We explore issues relating to perspectives on, and children's experiences of, education, care, work, justice, development, health, and rights and responsibilities in a national and international context.

With a holistic and in-depth understanding of children and childhoods, our graduates go on to successful employment in a range of connected areas. For example, recent graduate career destinations include: senior researchers and policy leads within the civil service and government, management positions in national children's charities and businesses, prison management, occupational health and speech and language therapists, educational psychologists, social work and teaching, children's rights advocates and lawyers, and further study or postgraduate qualifications funded by national and internationally competitive scholarships.

On our programme, you will consider childhood in the contexts of families, peers, communities, and society at a national and international level. Topics of study include children's education, rights, development, physical and mental health, psychology, safeguarding and protection, youth justice, and social harm, among others. The Childhood Studies teaching team are all actively involved in research with children, their families and professionals, so your teaching is research-led, underpinned by the latest research and policy developments in the field. You will also receive bespoke teaching on research methods and ethical complexities involved in researching childhood.

In the first year, you will develop a solid understanding of the psychological, sociological and historical constructions of childhood, as well as contemporary issues affecting children such as child labour, child poverty and children's education. In the second and third years, you can choose optional units from a wide range of subjects, including a work placement unit, allowing you to pursue different routes through the degree toward a career path that is right for you. In your third year you will complete a dissertation, allowing you to undertake your own research project on a topic of your choosing within Childhood Studies.

The interdisciplinary nature of this course makes it ideal for students from a range of different backgrounds who are passionate about children's lives and welfare.

Overview

Typical offer

• A-level standard offer: ABB
• A-level contextual offer: BBC
• Go to entry requirements for the full entry criteria and contextual offer eligibility.

Programme duration

• 3 year(s) full-time.
• 6 year(s) part-time.
• Part-time study with daytime, weekday teaching.

Location

• Clifton campus

Fees

• £9,535 per year, home students
• £24800 per year, international students
• Part-time tuition fees will normally be charged on a pro rata basis
• More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Fees quoted are for 2025 entry only. Fees for 2026 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2025.

Course structure

All our Childhood Studies degrees are designed to introduce you to the interdisciplinary study of childhood and adolescence and allow you to specialise as you progress through the degree.

The first year enables you to explore constructions of childhood and to discuss contemporary issues, debates and challenges in global childhood. You will begin to develop an understanding of child psychology, education, and the sociology of childhood that will further your critical academic and research skills.

Subsequent years allow you to develop your own specific pathway through the degree, depending on your particular interests and career choice. For example, you might follow a pathway in education, psychology, sociology, social work, or law and justice, or you may choose a mix of units including options from other social science degrees.

During the second year, there is an opportunity to gain real-life experience working in a range of organisations and supporting children and families through our work placement unit.

Sample units on the course may include:

• Child and Adolescent Psychology
• Children's Rights: Legal, ethical and political challenges
• Youth, Sexualities and Gendered Violence
• Therapeutic Work with Children
• Disability in Society
• Children in a Global Context
• Children and Social Harm
• Researching Children

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

A-level standard offer

• ABB

A-level contextual offer

• BBC

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer

BTEC

• DDM in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma

Find out more about BTEC entry requirements

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• 32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level

International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer

• 29 points overall with 14 at Higher Level

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer

European Baccalaureate

• 77% overall

Scottish Qualifications Authority

• Advanced Higher: AB, and Standard Higher: AABBB

Access to HE Diploma

• Access to HE Diploma in Education, Humanities, Social Science, Science, Law or Psychology (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include 15 credits at Distinction and 30 at Merit or above.

More about Access to HE entry requirements

Welsh Baccalaureate

• Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Cambridge Pre-U

• Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.

International qualifications

• The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Search international qualifications

More about UK qualifications.

Selection process

• Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
• If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
• Full information about our selection processes for Childhood Studies can be found in the Admissions Statement.

Applicants must also meet these requirements

GCSE profile requirements

• No specific subjects required.
• Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.

English language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
  • IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in all skills
  • GCSE English Language grade C or 4
  • an alternative qualification outlined in our Profile level C.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels

Additional requirements

• If you have other qualifications (for example GNVQ, CACHE, HND), please contact the Admissions team for advice on eligibility.

Related courses

• BSc Childhood Studies with Study Abroad

Related Subjects

• Education
• Psychology
• Social Policy
• Sociology

Next steps

• Visit us at an open day
• Download a prospectus
• Find out how to apply
• Make an enquiry