BSc Childhood Studies with Quantitative Research Methods (L522)

2025 entry

Course summary

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

Our research-based teaching includes the expertise of lecturers from related disciplines, including education, psychology, sociology, social policy, history, social work and law.

The BSc Childhood Studies with Quantitative Research Methods is ideal for students interested in learning more about how to use numbers and data within childhood studies. It provides training in practical and analytical skills, which will enhance your career prospects and provide you with a strong platform for postgraduate study. No prior knowledge of statistical techniques is required.

Watch a video about how quantitative skills training can enhance your career prospects.

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.

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 children and childhood. Our graduates go on to careers in areas such as education, psychology, research, policy, children's therapy, social work, law and social justice, children's charities, government, business, and the civil service.

Course structure

About two thirds of your studies will follow the single honours BSc Childhood Studies course, where you will consider childhood in the contexts of families, peers, communities and society at a national and international level. Topics of study may include children's education, rights, development, physical and mental health, psychology, safeguarding and protection, youth justice, and social harm, among others.

The remaining third of your course will provide interdisciplinary training in quantitative research methods. In year one of the quantitative pathway we discuss how numbers and data are used to tell convincing stories in the media and social research. We consider what is meant by segregation and how it can be mapped and measured.

Year two offers practical classes in social statistics and applied data analysis, which will develop your skills in numeracy and analysis and enable you to undertake your own individual research project in an area of quantitative social science related to childhood studies in year three.

Sample units on the course may include:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychology
  • Principles of Quantitative Social Science
  • 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.

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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.

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

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32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level
29 points overall with 14 at Higher Level

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77% overall
Advanced Higher: AB, and Standard Higher: AABBB
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.

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

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