Working with Children, Young People and Families BA (Hons)

Key Facts

  • UCAS Code:

    3 year: L590
    4 year: L591

  • Level:

    Undergraduate

  • Duration:

    3 years full time
    4 years full time (with foundation)
    4-6 years part time

  • Starting:

    September

  • Fees UK:

    Full time: £9,250
    Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
    Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250

  • Fees International:

    Full Time: £14,750
    Integrated Foundation Year: £14,750

  • Location:

    Waterside

Get in touch


For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK/EU Students enquiries

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

International Students enquiries

international@northampton.ac.uk
+44 (0)1604 893981

Overview


Develop your knowledge and understanding of the lives and experiences of children, young people and their families through academic study and work-based learning with our ‘Working with children, young people and families’ degree. Driven by values of inclusion, empowerment and social justice, this exciting degree supports your academic and professional development to enhance your skills and career prospects so that you can make a positive impact for children, young people and families. You will explore a range of topics and key issues, including poverty, mental health, youth offending, safeguarding and anti-discriminatory practice.

This degree will help you to navigate a breadth of theoretical, practical and social issues that challenge and support ever-transforming services for children, young people and families. The Government agenda has seen the need for more integrated and responsive services that includes emotional and mental health support for children and young people; practice that works to support families holistically; play-work; behaviour support and youth justice.

Updated 22/03/2023

Highlights


  • The University of Northampton is a top 20 institution for Childhood and Youth Studies in the Complete University Guide league tables for 2022.
  • You will have a placement in every year of study; each with a different focus so you can explore a range of settings and possible career aspirations. This is fully supported by university tutors and mentors in placement settings.
  • The opportunity to take part in national and international study trips
  • Regular opportunities to get involved with Special Interest Groups, visiting researchers and All Party Parliamentary groups
  • Guaranteed interview for  PGCE Primary Education (5-11) (QTS) on completion (T&C’s apply)
  • HP laptop and software is included with this course for eligible students
  • Guaranteed paid internship or support into postgraduate study with our  Northampton Employment Promise.

Course Content


  • The degree in Working with Children, Young People and Families has been designed to contribute towards achieving the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG3 Good Health and Wellbeing and SDG4 Quality Education.

    This course produces graduates who can address gaps in provision and improve the services available to children, young people, their families and the wider community. Our staff (and external visitors) are experienced in the fields of childhood and youth studies, health, law, therapy, education, business and social care. Your studies cover the whole spectrum of working with children, young people and families.

    This course will help you to:

    • develop knowledge and understanding of children, young people and families within diverse cultural, inter-disciplinary and multi-professional contexts
    • acquire a critical understanding of relevant theory and research in the field of children, young people and families and equip you with the skills for independent investigation
    • critically analyse contemporary issues and debates in policy, practice and services for children, young people and families including international perspectives
    • become an articulate, confident and reflective graduate, capable of making informed career choices and transferring your knowledge to a range of relevant contexts and making a positive impact.

    Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 22/23. The modules relating to the academic year 23/24 will be available from June 2023.

  • A typical offer for Working with Children, Young People and Families BA (Hons):

    • CCC at A Level or,
    • MMM at BTEC or,
    • Pass (C and above) at T Level.

    In addition to general entry requirements, applicants are normally expected to hold English and Mathematics equivalent to a GCSE grade C/4.

    We welcome international applications and applications from students with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications. We will require that you undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and ask that you demonstrate your commitment to working with children and young people, through voluntary work or similar.

    Integrated Foundation Year Entry Requirements

    Admission to Working with Children, Young People and Familites (Hons) Integrated Foundation Year is normally:

    • DEE at A Level or,
    • MPP at BTEC or,
    • Pass (D or E) at T Level.

    However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the programme you wish to study.

    English Language Requirements

    All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

    • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands
      for study at undergraduate level

    For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

  • 2023/24 Tuition Fees

    Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK – Full Time: £9,250
    • UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
    • UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BA rate).
    • International: £14,750
    • International Integrated Foundation Year: £14,750
    2022/23 Tuition Fees

    Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 22/23 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK – Full Time: £9,250
    • UK – Part Time: £1,500 per 20 credit module
    • UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BA rate).
    • International: £14,000
    • International Integrated Foundation Year: £14,000
    Additional costs

    During the programme you will have the opportunity to join a study trip. Previously, these have included a week in Sweden examining alternative models of working with children and young people, and the opportunity to visit Atlanta exploring the origins of the civil rights movement. All the study trips are optional and the costs vary year on year. Typically, this is £500 for Sweden and £1,200 for Atlanta. Students normally allow an additional £100 – £250 for their expenses.

    Scholarships and Bursaries

    For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

  • At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

    If you join our full-time Children, Young People and Families degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

    Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

    To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

    * UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details)

  • The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

    If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

    Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

  • How will I learn?

    Throughout the Working with Children, Young People and Families degree, you will learn through the use of seminars, workshops, work-based activities, online learning and self-directed study. We also organise specialist guest speakers to run sessions, for example, exploring the impact of domestic violence. In addition, we arrange study trips, for example to a local prison and to the Houses of Parliament, and to local schools to carry out project work.

    We work hard to ensure you are fully supported during your studies by allocating you a personal tutor, offering regular tutorial support and running assessment workshops.

    How am I assessed?

    There are no exams on this degree. Instead, you will be assessed through a range of methods including interviews, reports, case studies, presentations, practical projects and reflective tasks.

    What will my timetable look like?

    Your teaching is consolidated to help make the best use of your time. You might expect to be in university two or three days a week. This helps free up the rest of your timetable for tutorials, working on your assignments and gaining valuable work experience.

    Is there any work based learning?

    Work-based learning is central to the degree in Working with Children, Young People and Families. It supports you to explore different career options. Every year you will complete a placement with a different focus. We will allocate you a setting based on your interests. You will receive mentoring and support to help you make the most out of your work-based experience. Example work-based settings include, youth clubs, family support services, children’s homes, sports development programmes, working with at risk young people, mental health programmes, SEN provision, schools and theatre groups. If you already have a setting in mind, perhaps nearer to a home-base away from Northampton, we can support you to approach this setting and (subject to necessary checks) work with a mentor there to develop your work-based skills and evidence the learning outcomes.

    Are there any study trips available?

    There are exciting opportunities to take part in national and international study trips, for example:

    • Spend one week in Sweden to explore alternative ways of working with children, young people and families.
    • Go to Atlanta in America to explore the civil rights movement.
    • Visit a local prison to hear prisoners’ experiences.

Upcoming Open Days

Open Days give you the best experience and insight to courses, people and facilities that interest you. Make your choice easier and come meet us.

Staff


Careers and Employability


One of the main advantages of this degree is that it supports you to explore a wide range of careers relating to children, young people and families. We will support you during your degree to explore and refine your career path.

As part of the degree, you will have the chance to achieve additional qualifications to help further enhance your CV and to help you stand out in the graduate employment market. For example, you could gain further skills and certification in mental health awareness, mentoring, supporting transitions, facilitating group work, enhancing digital literacy and first aid.

Our graduates have gained employment in a range of areas, for example, as a Youth Offending Officer, Family Support Worker, Mental Health Support Worker, MASH Officer, Youth Worker, Drug and Alcohol Worker, Housing Officer, Residential Keyworker, School Counsellor, Play Worker, Sports Development Officer and as a Primary School Teacher.

Graduate schemes are also a great career option, for example, the Police Graduate Leadership Programme, Explore Learning Assistant Director, Frontline Leadership Development Programme and the Into University Graduate Education Worker Scheme.

Postgraduate Opportunities

Our postgraduate courses are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt. Benefit from our 20% alumni discount on postgraduate fees to give you a CV that will catch the eye of employers.

Graduates from this degree may be interested in postgraduate opportunities such as: Youth and Community Leadership MA, Social Work MA, Primary Education PGCE, Child and Adolescent Mental Health MSc, Counselling Children and Young People MSc and Special Educational Needs and Inclusion MA.