BSc (Hons) Childhood Studies (Top Up)
Current childhood policy stresses the importance of placing the child at the centre of the government agenda and this exciting award aims to highlight the rights and needs of the child and family. The BSc (Hons) Childhood Studies is a relevant course for a wide range of professionals who work with children and families, including nurses, health visitors, early years educators, nursery workers in the public and independent sectors, social workers and people working in the youth justice and law enforcement sectors.
You will get to study and learn with people from a variety of disciplines, who are all concerned with the wellbeing of children and their families. The emphasis of our Childhood Studie degree is on exploring childhood from a global perspective to develop or strengthen your understanding of factors that affect a child’s health and wellbeing.
Year three: BSc Hons in Childhood Studies (Top up)
The BSc Top up Degree provides students with the knowledge and skills to work with children and young people between 0-18 years, unlike other programmes delivered in partner and own Universities that have a focus on early years (0-8 years) This course therefore equips graduates to deliver the roles required in Wales and UK, which cover childhood as a whole, particularly since much attention has been given to the changing lives of young people in the last decade.
Year 3 students (top up) will study 2 x 20 credit modules and 2 x 40 credit modules. Plans for delivery will be to timetable 60 credits in term 1 and 60 credits in term 2 the two 40 credit modules interlink with the literature review (research based) in term one followed by the project-based assessment in term 2.
A part-time option is available over 2 academic years, 60 credits in year 1 and 60 credits in year 2
Year Three modules:
- Influences on Children and Young Peoples Development
- Managing the Learning Environment
- Supporting and Evaluating Children and Young People’s Holistic Health and Well being
- Children and Contemporary Society
Teaching
You will study three modules during the academic year, each lasting ten weeks. Attendance at the University is on one day a week during term-time. It may be possible to complete the course in one year.
This is a top-up degree. You must be working in a relevant area of childcare and possess a total of 240 credits - 120 at Level 4 and 120 at Level 5. Equivalent work-related qualifications are also acceptable. Those who are unable to demonstrate the relevant academic credits may be eligible for Accreditation of Prior and Experiential Learning (APEL) considerations.
Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course
August 2023 - July 2024 Fees
Full-time UK: £9000
Full-time International: £14400
Part-time UK: £740 per 20 credits
August 2024 - July 2025 Fees
Full-time UK: TBC
Full-time International: TBC
Part-time UK: TBC
Student Perks
At the University of South Wales, you’re investing in so much more than a degree. We strive to provide our students with the best possible experience, no matter what you chose to study. Whether it’s access to top of the range mac books and PCs, state-of-the-art facilities packed with industry-leading equipment and software, masterclasses and events led by industry experts, or a wide range of clubs and societies to meet likeminded people, better tomorrows start with extra perks.
Each course also has their own unique student benefits to prepare you for the real word, and details of these can be found on our course pages. From global field trips, integrated work experience and free course-related resources, to funded initiatives, projects working with real employers, and opportunities for extra qualifications and accreditations - at USW your future, is future-proofed.
Click here to learn more about student perks at USW.
Additional Costs
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.
Funding
Funding to help pay for (or cover) course tuition fees and living costs
Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
To learn about course fees, funding options, and to see if you are eligible for financial support, visit our Fees and Funding pages.
UK students
Apply via UCAS if you are a UK residing applicant, applying for year one of a full-time undergraduate degree, Foundation Year, Foundation Degree or HND and you have not applied through UCAS before. If you are applying to study part-time, to top up your Foundation Degree or HND, or to transfer to USW from another institution, please apply directly.
International and EU students
Apply directly to the University if you live outside the UK.
As well as consolidating your existing knowledge, the Childhood Studies course can be used as a springboard for a career change, such as working in the voluntary sector or moving into management, or as a gateway to further studies, such as PGCE.
Our Careers and Employability Service
As a USW student, you will have access to advice from the Careers and Employability Service throughout your studies and after you graduate.
This includes: one-to-one appointments from faculty based Career Advisers, in person, over the phone or even on Skype and through email via the "Ask a Question" service. We also have extensive online resources for help with considering your career options and presenting yourself well to employers. Resources include psychometric tests, career assessments, a CV builder, interview simulator and application help. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students, you can receive weekly email alerts for jobs.
Our Careers service has dedicated teams: A central work experience team to help you find relevant placements; an employability development team which includes an employability programme called Grad Edge; and an Enterprise team focused on new business ideas and entrepreneurship.
The Pontypridd Campus is made up of two sites; Treforest and Glyntaff. Our students love the community atmosphere. It’s quieter than the cities, with green open spaces and views across the valley.
It’s the community and friendships you’ll build that make this place special. Outside your studies you can experience our amazing sport facilities and Students’ Union.
Living in Halls is a great way to meet new people and make friends. We have high quality accommodation in Treforest, Cardiff and Newport.