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What matters in children and young people’s worlds? What influences their development? How can adults working with them support and empower them more effectively? Childhood and youth studies is one of the UK’s fastest-growing academic disciplines. We're a pioneer in this field and have developed this degree over the last three decades. You’ll explore fascinating issues affecting children and young people today, including child development and psychology, digital lives, international childhoods, issues of power, agency, inclusion, social justice and children’s rights. This degree is suitable whether you work with children and young people or have an interest in their worlds.
We also offer a Diploma of Higher Education in Childhood and Youth Studies (W78), which has the same structure as the first two-thirds of this degree. Similarly, our Certificate of Higher Education in Childhood and Youth Studies (T43) corresponds to the first third.
Please note that in England, this course does not provide Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), and in Scotland, it does not lead to SSSC registration in day care or children’s services. GCSE requirements may affect eligibility.
Our modular study approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that fits around your life. Whether you prefer a fast track or want to work at a slower rate, you can tailor your study plan to suit your needs.
You’ll study a module that brings together perspectives on the development and lived experience of children and young people from psychology, anthropology and sociology. You’ll also choose a complementary module that fits your needs and interests.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Introduction to childhood studies and child psychology (E104)60Oct
You'll choose one from:
Encountering psychology in context (D120)60Oct | Feb
Exploring perspectives on young children's lives and learning (E109)60Oct
Learning and teaching in the primary years (E103)60Oct

You’ll study a module that explores what it means to be a child in today’s world. You’ll also choose a complementary module that fits your needs and interests.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Exploring childhood and youth (E232)60Oct
You'll choose one from:
Child development: birth to adolescence (E225)60Oct
Supporting children and young people's wellbeing (KE207)60Oct

In Stage 3, you’ll study modules that fit your needs and interests and also learn how to design your own research project.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll choose one from:
Language, literature and childhood (L301)60Oct
Young lives, parenting and families (KE322)60Oct
You’ll complete your degree with:
Contemporary research with children and young people (E320)60Oct

You can complete this degree in as little as three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s 120 credits per year. To complete in three years, you’ll need to start your degree in October.
Don't worry if your circumstances change. You don’t have to stick to a full-time study pace. You can change the pace of your learning each year depending on what's right for you.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll study the following:
Introduction to childhood studies and child psychology (E104)60Oct
You’ll choose one from:
Encountering psychology in context (D120)60Oct | Feb
Exploring perspectives on young children's lives and learning (E109)60Oct
Learning and teaching in the primary years (E103)60Oct
Stage 2 | Year 2
You’ll study the following:
Exploring childhood and youth (E232)60Oct
You'll choose one from:
Child development: birth to adolescence (E225)60Oct
Supporting children and young people's wellbeing (KE207)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 3
You'll choose one from:
Language, literature and childhood (L301)60Oct
Young lives, parenting and families (KE322)60Oct
You'll study the following:
Contemporary research with children and young people (E320)60Oct

You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That's one 60-credit module each year.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll start your degree with the following:
Introduction to childhood studies and child psychology (E104)60Oct
Stage 1 | Year 2
You’ll choose one from:
Encountering psychology in context (D120)60Oct | Feb
Exploring perspectives on young children's lives and learning (E109)60Oct
Learning and teaching in the primary years (E103)60Oct
Stage 2 | Year 3
You’ll study the following:
Exploring childhood and youth (E232)60Oct
Stage 2 | Year 4
You'll choose one from:
Child development: birth to adolescence (E225)60Oct
Supporting children and young people's wellbeing (KE207)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 5
You'll choose one from:
Language, literature and childhood (L301)60Oct
Young lives, parenting and families (KE322)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 6
You'll complete your degree with the following:
Contemporary research with children and young people (E320)60Oct

By studying this degree, you’ll:
You’ll be supported by expert tutors, rich study materials, and collaborative learning.
You’ll be awarded a BA (Honours) Childhood and Youth Studies upon successful completion.
Your honours classification (first, upper second, lower second or third class honours) will depend on the grades you gain at Stages 2 and 3.
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
You can achieve this degree in as little as three years and have a maximum of 16 years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
You can complete this degree in three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.

6 years
£4,088*
A degree is worth 360 credits. The fee per year is based on studying one 60-credit module per year for 6 years.
£24,528*
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.

Over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Tuition Fee Loan, meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
This degree provides an effective foundation for a wide choice of career paths. It emphasises independent thinking, develops analytical and communication skills and will help you become a clear and confident writer – all attributes that are highly valued by employers. Specific skills you’ll develop include:
A degree in childhood and youth studies gives you skills and knowledge relevant to many careers in childcare, health, education, working with families, play-work, or working with young people. It will develop your understanding of practices and policies that affect children and young people and introduce you to many new aspects of the subject – helping you make informed choices about future career paths. This degree is not a professional qualification, so many of our graduates choose to undertake postgraduate training before progressing to employment in specialist fields such as:
The education sector provides increasing opportunities for teaching and non-teaching staff in schools, further and higher education and non-school settings.
This degree will develop your research skills if you want to go on to further study.
This course is not recognised as a professional youth work qualification by the National Youth Agency (NYA) on behalf of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) for England, the ETS Advisory Committee for Wales, the North/South Education and Training Standards Committee for Youth Work in Ireland and the Standards Council for CLD for Scotland.
In England, this course does not provide Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). GCSE passes at Grade C or above in English and Maths are normally required for postgraduate study, and for teaching, a GCSE Grade C pass in Science is also a requirement.

In England, this course is not considered 'full and relevant' as it does not meet the early years educator criteria in terms of observed and assessed practice and so students achieving this qualification cannot be counted in Level 3 ratios.
In Scotland, this qualification does not lead to Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) registration. However, if you’ve already achieved SSSC registration through related qualifications, such as HNC Childhood Practice, you might be able to transfer credit to this qualification.
Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree):
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
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Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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