2023 entry
BSc Childhood Studies (L520)
Course overview
Typical offer
A-level standard offer: ABB
A-level contextual offer: BBC
See entry requirements for full details and eligibility.
Course duration
3 year(s) full-time
6 year(s) part-time
Part-time study with daytime, weekday teaching.
Application method
Full-time: UCAS
Part-time: Contact jessica.roy@bristol.ac.uk for more information and to apply.
Intercalation
Current medical, dental or veterinary science students can apply for entry onto the third year of this course.
Fees
£9,250 per year, home students
£22,200 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.
Location
This course focuses on policy and the rights of children and young people from birth to 19 years, exploring contemporary debates within a global context. Our research-based teaching includes the expertise of lecturers from related disciplines, including education, psychology, sociology, history, social work and law.
You will consider childhood in the contexts of families, peers and society at both a national and international level. Topics of study include children’s rights, development, education, therapeutic work with children, safeguarding, youth justice, and child and adolescent psychology, among others.
In the first year you will develop a solid understanding of the social, psychological and historical constructions of childhood. 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.
The interdisciplinary nature of this course makes it ideal for students from a range of different backgrounds who want to develop a holistic understanding of childhood. Our graduates go on to careers in areas as diverse as education, children's therapy, social work, law and social justice, children's charities, government and the civil service.
Course structure
All our 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 and education 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, early years provision, social work, or law and justice, or you may choose a mix of units from other social science degrees.
During the second year there is an opportunity to gain real-life experience of working in a range of organisations and supporting children and families through our work placement unit.
Sample units may include:
- Child and Adolescent Psychology
- Children and Young People in the Law
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Go to programme catalogueEntry 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
BTEC
DDM in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma
Find out more about our BTEC entry requirementsInternational 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 offerEuropean 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.
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Welsh Baccalaureate
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for 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 qualificationsApplicants 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 English Language Profile C qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
Additional requirements
If you have other qualifications (eg GNVQ, CACHE, HND), please contact the Admissions team for advice on eligibility.
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
- We only use your information in UCAS, or your application form, to assess your application. There are no other selection criteria or processes.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement:
