MSc

Child and Adolescent Studies

Duration:: One Year full-time, two years part-time
Start Dates:: September
Attendance:: Flexible learning including University and distance learning
Venue:: High Wycombe Campus
Cost:: On application

Key Contact:: Jane Wright
Tel:: jane.wright@bucks.ac.uk
Email:: 01494 522 141 ext 2311

Is this course suitable for me?

This course is of interest to anyone working with children and young people across health, education and social care services. Specifically it will appeal to: school nurses, health visitors, children’s nurses, teachers, social workers, early years practitioners, youth workers, volunteers working with children and young people, children’s centre staff, public health practitioners and those working in local authority services for children and young people. This course will benefit those who are looking to extend their academic skills and will contribute to continuing professional development.

Overview

The course will explore childhood and youth from multiple theoretical perspectives drawn from the social sciences including: psychology, sociology, social policy and health. The current government is committed to children and young people evidenced by its commitment to Early Years, Education and Health Visiting in the recent public spending review. Therefore, the topics explored in the course will be pertinent to practice and will allow students to develop their research skills in their particular area of work or interest. The course will be delivered either part time over two years or full time over one year with a combination of face to face contact and distance learning opportunities.

Structure

There will thee exit points from the programme:

Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
MSc (180 credits)

The modules to gain the postgraduate certificate and postgraduate diploma:

Postgraduate Certificate

Perspectives of childhood (30 credits)
Challenges in childhood (30 credits)

Postgraduate Diploma

Contemporary issues in childhood (30 credits)
Optional module – (30 credits)

MSc
MSc Child and Adolescent Studies will be awarded on successful completion of the requirements for the postgraduate diploma above and a 60 credit dissertation.

Content

Perspectives of childhood (30 credits)
Indicative content:

Exploring concepts and theories around childhood from different perspectives
The Child in Society
Social construction of childhood and adolescence
Historical perspectives
Anthropology of childhood
Psychology – child developmental theories and concepts
Loss and bereavement
Family systems
Sociology of childhood
Gender/culture/
Sexuality/ethnicity
Cross cultural issues

Challenges in childhood (30 credits)
Indicative content:

Child protection
Consent
Confidentiality
Children’s rights
Teenage pregnancy
Poverty
Inequality
Social policy
Inclusion/exclusion
Discrimination
Risk
Family circumstances

Contemporary issues in childhood (30 credits)
Indicative content:

Youth culture
Crime
Substance misuse
Communication and language
Behaviour and behaviour change
Health needs of adolescents
Education
Leadership and management
Influences of media
Public health
Family structure
Disability
Loss, separation and divorce

Optional module – (30 credits)
This will be chosen from the University’s Masters portfolio and could consist of:

A research methods module
Or a module from the MSc Child protection and adult safeguarding
Or a module from the MSc Health, exercise and wellbeing
Or a module from the MSc Community Psychology

Entry requirements

Applicants would normally have achieved 2.i in a relevant degree. Alternatively, candidates with professional qualifications and directly relevant work experience may be considered. For non-native speakers of English: IELTS 6.0 overall, 6.0 in writing.

Funding assistance

*To celebrate the launch of this programme we are offering Bucks students graduating this year and last year the opportunity to enrol on this programme at a 20% discount of the total course fee. For further information please do not hesitate to contact us on the above number

How to make an application

We hope to have a fully on-line application system shortly, but in the meantime, to apply for a course, please download and print these forms, completing them fully and posting back to the address below.

Mike Thomson

Student Recruitment Officer

Bucks New University

106 Oxford Road

Uxbridge

UB8 1NA

If you are unable to view the forms, please click here to download a free version of adobe reader.

Alternatively, if you call us on 01494 603 171 or email ask@bucks.ac.uk we can post you a hard copy application pack.

Students funded by the NHS or other employer

If the cost of your course is being funded by your employer, please contact your education lead or manager for guidance as to how they would prefer you to make an application.