England

Please tell us where you live so that we can provide you with the most relevant information as you use this website.
If you are at a BFPO address please choose the country or region in which you would ordinarily be resident.
Accessibility statement
An image to illustrate the Postgraduate Certificate in Childhood and Youth Studies
Explore key aspects of children’s and young people’s lives while developing critical analysis skills. This postgraduate certificate is particularly relevant for graduates working with children or young people who want to advance academically and professionally, as well as those with backgrounds in childhood and youth studies, youth work, youth justice, sociology, health and social care, social work, nursing, anthropology, psychology, education, and the voluntary sector, including charities and NGOs. While it does not provide professional recognition, which may require additional study, it offers a strong foundation for those looking to transition into or between professions involving children and young people.
This certificate is the first stage of our Postgraduate Diploma in Childhood and Youth Studies (E93) or our MA in Childhood and Youth (F55). Please note this qualification does not provide professional recognition, and additional study could be required to meet specific professional requirements.
To gain this qualification, you'll study one 60-credit module.

ModulesCreditsNext start
You'll study the following:
Children and young people's worlds (E808)
Discover the evolving field of Childhood and Youth Studies, exploring children’s rights, inequality, mental health, and digital lives in a global context.
Next start date: 03 Oct 2026
See full description
6003 Oct 2026

By studying the Postgraduate Certificate in Childhood and Youth Studies, you’ll:
You’ll study through online materials, guided activities and tutor support.
You’ll be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Childhood and Youth Studies upon successful completion. You’ll be entitled to use the letters PG Cert CYS (Open) after your name.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
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.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You’ll study the Postgraduate Certificate in Childhood and Youth Studies part-time, completing 60 credits over one year. Typically, this translates to 19 study hours each week.

The recommended hours include time to work through that week’s online study planner, complete recommended reading, and attend tutorials.

At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
You must have a bachelors degree from a UK University (or equivalent) to study this course. Your degree can be in any subject, although childhood and youth studies, sociology, health and social care, anthropology, psychology or education are particularly relevant.
Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum score of 7 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details.
The fees and the funding information shown below relate to the 2025/26 academic year and are for guidance only.
Modules starting in the 2026/27 academic year are open for pre-booking, which means you can reserve your place ahead of the fees being confirmed.
We’ll publish updated 2026/27 fees and funding information on the 25th of March.
You’ll pay for your qualification one module at a time, rather than the full cost upfront. The fee for each module is listed in its description.

£2,800*
Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.
There are some additional costs that aren’t included.
Further information is available in the module descriptions.
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
Learn more about spreading the costs with monthly instalments and our other funding options below.
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.
We’ll show you how you can pay by bank transfer or combine payment methods.
You may be eligible for:
This qualification will be attractive to anyone with a personal or professional interest in exploring different aspects of children’s and young people’s worlds. It is aimed at graduates seeking to advance academically and professionally. It will also enable those with a related degree but not currently working with children and young people the opportunity to move into the profession, and will help those people considering a move between professions within the sector. It could also be of interest to people in a managerial or supervisory role, to senior members of the workforce, or to those seeking to move into senior or managerial positions.
The content of the qualification will be particularly relevant to graduates working with children or young people, for example, in early years provision or with a background in childhood and youth studies; youth work; youth justice; sociology; health and social care; social work; nursing; anthropology; psychology; education and the voluntary sector, including charities and NGOs. It will be of particular interest to those who have completed the BA (Hons) in Childhood and Youth Studies, BA (Hons) Early Years or Early Childhood, BA (Hons) Education Studies (Primary) or the BA (Hons) in Health and Social Care.
However, this qualification does not provide professional recognition. You should ensure you check the entry requirements for specific professional areas before you register, as additional study may be required to meet those requirements.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
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.
This qualification is open for prebooking. Select the module you will study first, read its full description, and follow the instructions to reserve your place. We’ll contact you when you can complete your registration.
Ask a question
Our prospectuses help you choose your course, understand what it's like to be an OU student and register for study.
Request a prospectus
This qualification is open for prebooking. Select the module you will study first, read its full description, and follow the instructions to reserve your place. We’ll contact you when you can complete your registration.
content