Undergraduate

Working with Children, Young People and Families

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Make a real difference to children, their families and their communities.
Our links to over 600 educational organisations give you a broad range of choice for selecting where you’ll take your professional practice placement.
You’ll graduate ready for a broad range of careers in children’s and young people’s services.
Take advantage of a range of training opportunities – including safeguarding, Portage and Forest School certification – to boost your skillset.
Study theory in our lecture rooms, learning as part of a committed community who all share an interest in developing excellent learning opportunities.
A teacher helps a school student with work in a classroom
A schoolchild reads the title cover of a workbook to a teacher
A smiling schoolteacher in a classroom
Schoolchildren and their teacher reading in classroom
Education Lecture Room

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Code

Duration

Mode

  • Standard course
  • With a foundation year

Typical offer

What does this mean?

This degree prepares you to be part of the children’s and young people’s workforce with a future in education, family support, pastoral care, social work or therapeutic practice.

Gain the knowledge to make a difference in supporting families through times of crisis and understand the importance of communities in allowing children and families to flourish.

You'll study real-life problems, exploring how to enhance outcomes for children and families with intervention strategies and a trauma-informed approach.

And you'll put your learning into practice on a skill-boosting professional placement.

  • Ranked 2nd in the UK

    for teaching quality 1

  • Enhance your skills

    with a professional placement

  • Forest School

    certification opportunity

  • Certified training

    in safeguarding and Portage

  • Go global

    with the option to spend a semester abroad

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Course overview
Module options

About this course

This course examines the way society is structured – and how this affects children, families and their communities.

Exploring issues such as digital communities and education, crime, human rights, abuse, poverty and loss, you’ll gain the key competencies required by the sector to enhance outcomes for children and families.

You’ll be given opportunities to train in safeguarding and Portage. You could study for an accredited Forest School certification too. This prepares you to work outside with children, taking into account a range of extra needs, and gives you a valuable extra qualification.

Work-based learning opportunities give you the chance to further enhance your skills. With links to over 600 education institutions across the UK, we offer a range of professional practice placements. You could broaden your experience spending a semester studying abroad too, at one our English-speaking partner universities in countries renowned for high-quality childcare, such as Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Scheduled study hours and how you’re assessed

Throughout your degree, you’re expected to study for 1,200 hours per year. That’s based on 200 hours per 20 credit module. And it includes scheduled hours, time spent on placement and independent study. How this time is divided across the year varies and depends on the module you are studying.

How you'll be assessed depends on the course you study, and the modules you choose. You may be assessed through a mix of examinations, coursework, presentations and group projects.

Choose your modules

Each year, you’ll study modules worth a certain number of credits, and you need 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits – so you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more. In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120. Some modules are compulsory, some are optional, so you can build a course that’s right for you.

Preparing for Learning in Higher Education

This module is designed to give you the best possible start to your university studies, making sure you have all the essential skills you need to succeed. Through lectures and workshops we will teach you how to write in an academic style, how to find quality sources, how to reference work, culminating in writing up a mini-research project.

Core•20 credits

Introduction to Education

This module sets the scene for the programme, starting with your own background and experience and exploring what education means, how it differs from schooling and key concepts and approaches. It will also help you to develop the academic skills necessary for your degree programme.

Core•20 credits

Research in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Education

This module will equip you with the necessary skills to conduct and analyse research in a specific interest, supported by academics within your subject. You'll navigate through the research process, from identifying an area of interest to presenting their findings to your peers.

Core•20 credits

Group Challenge (Humanities)

Formulate and execute a group led enquiry into texts, cultural artifacts, film, music or dance. You'll explore their topics in groups at supervised workshops and develop questions on the cultural object relates to the living world of human experience, as well as developing your own methods to answer these questions.

Compulsory•20 credits

Foundation in Data Analysis

Develop a strong foundation in data collection and analysis. This module will introduce you to qualitative and quantitative data and how to analyse it; the collection of primary and secondary data; the production of high quality graphics; and report writing.

Compulsory•20 credits

Academic Writing Skills

Developing confidence in expression, oral as well as written, is a key feature of this module, which also aims to familiarise you with submission and assessment procedures in the context of Higher Education. This is a clear building block onto your degree programme and places you at a distinct advantage when you move into the following year.

Compulsory•20 credits

In the foundation year, you are introduced to subjects relating to education. Modules comprise aspects of psychological, sociological and historical aspects of learning; study skills; and an introduction to the environments for learning, which will investigate learning in a variety of settings.
6 Modules

Health and Wellbeing

The significance of good physical, emotional, mental and sexual health has never been more important for children and society. This module explores the role of educators to support good health and promote responsible health decisions.

Core•20 credits

Learning Across the Lifespan

This module explores a diverse range of theories of human development and learning. Using real world examples, you will be encouraged to apply a combination of theories to understand, consider and reflect upon appropriate courses of action to address issues found across a range: of relevant settings and contexts.

Core•20 credits

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

This engaging module provides foundation knowledge and skills that will enable you to develop understanding and analysis of social inequalities and the nature of discrimination in contemporary society. There will be opportunities to explore key equality legislation and policy. The module will explore the ethical and political rationale for developing equitable, diverse, and inclusive practices as part of an agenda for social justice and social change.  

Core•20 credits

Families, Culture and Community

The saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ is still true in the 21st Century. Where children live really makes an impact on their lives and future opportunities. This module supports your understanding of what can be done to make communities work, who can help, what are the barriers and solutions that make communities sustainable and able to support children to flourish.

Core•40 credits

Ethical Dilemmas and the Moral Maze

Dealing with real-world, ethical, or moral dilemmas is both challenging and pertinent to all areas of lived experience and professional, practice.  The module will introduce you to a range of theoretical models and provide opportunities to explore these in relation to real world ethical dilemmas drawn from professional practice contexts.  

Core•20 credits
5 Modules

Safeguarding and Family Support

You'll consider the historical and social context of safeguarding and child protection, examining key issues of safeguarding practice including communication, leadership and multi-disciplinary working.

Core•20 credits

Working Therapeutically and Inclusively with Children with SEND

This exciting module enables you to consider how you might work more effectively and inclusively with children and young people who have Special Educational Needs Disabilities. You will be able to develop hands-on practical experience with therapeutic approaches such as play therapy, life story work and Lego therapy.  

Core•20 credits

Families Living in Challenging Contexts

What’s it like to be a child, young person or a young family living in society today? You will explore the impact of poverty, or an environmental disaster; or locally consider how criminal gangs may be limiting children’s opportunities thrive. Who and what strategies help are some of the questions explored, alongside the need for an effective multiagency approach.

Core•20 credits

Communities of Practice

This is a participatory, experiential, and collaborative module in which you will be introduced to a series of provocations identified by practitioners working at a grass root level in range of TESOL/EFL/EAL settings. The module works alongside the professional practice placement and will enable you to undertake in-depth investigation into issues you are encountering in placement.

Core•20 credits

Professional Practice Placement

In this module you will have an opportunity to design, implement and evaluate a strategy for your own Youth and Community Work practice that makes a contribution to making a difference in the lives of young people and/or communities. We have exciting placement opportunities in various contexts that will open up spaces for you to develop effective practice.

Core•40 credits
5 Modules

The Critical Social Pedagogue

Making a difference to a child, family or community calls for individuals who can reflect and critically evaluate their role as a practitioner. This module builds on the strong foundations of holistic child development to support decisions for intervention and strategies for support. At the end of the module, students celebrate their professional journey by developing a personal artefact to showcase pedagogical learning.

Core• credits

Voice and Influence

This dynamic module will extend your knowledge and understanding of the role and purpose of voice and influence in your practice with children, young people, families, adults and communities. It is crucial that people have a voice and the opportunity to influence decisions that affect them and the matters that are of importance to them. The module will examine models of voice and influence from forums and campaigns to the role of the media. It will also explore issues of advocacy and   ways to support children, young people, adults and communities in representing their views, needs and wishes to decision makers.

Core•20 credits

Extended Research Project

This module builds on your learning and development throughout the three years of your degree and offers an exciting opportunity to delve deeply into and explore a contemporary issue which you feel passionate about that is relevant to your programme of study. You will have the opportunity to design, develop and conduct your own research project. Through the process of this research and writing up your extended research project you will develop specialist knowledge and skills relevant to your graduate future, whether that be employment or postgraduate study. 

Core•60 credits

Environments for Learning

You will identify and apply pedagogical knowledge of how to develop enabling environments for children, young people and families. An innovative approach to a range of pedagogical approaches including Forest Schools, home learning environment and community based projects. Optional accredited Level 2 Forest Schools training is available through this module.

Core•20 credits
4 Modules

Playlist

Julie Rippingale

Course Overview 3 mins

Rewilding Reading

Research Highlight 9 mins

Teaching facilities

University Life 1 min

Accommodation at Hull

University Life 2 mins

Entry requirements

What do I need?

When it comes to applying to university, you'll need a certain number of UCAS points. Different qualifications and grades are worth a different amount of points. For this course, you'll need…

Use UCAS's calculator to work out your estimated points

We consider experience and qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match the combinations above.

But it's not just about the grades - we'll look at your whole application. We want to know what makes you tick, and about your previous experience, so make sure that you complete your personal statement.

Have questions? Our admissions team will be happy to help.

What do I need?

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and computers on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and computers on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our academics

Our team of highly respected and experienced tutors are all experts in their specialisms.

Taught by a team of experts in the fields of education, social care, health, inclusion and therapeutic approaches, you’ll gain real, practical knowledge that will be invaluable in your future career.

See more academics for this subject
Thamara Bulmer
Featured academic

Thamara Bulmer

Thamara is experienced in working in early years settings and also previously worked with an Educational Social Work Service. She is a trained Level 3 Forest School practitioner and is studying for a Doctorate in Early Childhood.
Joanne Traunter
Featured academic

Dr Jo Traunter

Jo’s teaching and research interests are in early childhood education and care. She brings over 20 years’ experience of different early years teaching methods and activities to her role as Head of Subject for Education, Childhood and Youth Studies.

Take a look at our facilities

Education Lecture Room

Study the theory in our lecture rooms – before you put your learning into practice in the field.

Brynmor Jones Library

Our seven-storey library is a superb learning space. As well as more than a million books, there’s a variety of study areas, over 400 open-access PCs and one amazing view.

Forest School Training Centre

You could study for a Forest School certification within our outdoor classroom, gardens, wooded area and wildflower meadows.

Group Lecture Room

Collaborate in group lecture rooms working as part of our vibrant community of students and staff.

See more in our virtual tour

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Forest School Training Centre

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Education Lecture Room
Brynmor Jones Library Observation Deck
Forest School Training Centre
Wilberforce TV Teaching Room
PGCE student using whiteboard

Future prospects

Our degrees reflect the high demand for well-trained professional practitioners and are tailored to prepare you to move straight into employment.

The range of opportunities for graduates in children’s and young people’s services is varied and wide. You may decide to focus on education, health or social care support work, choosing professions in the private, voluntary, health or maintained sector.

Graduate careers include education welfare officer, special school teaching assistant, family support officer, home education assistant, hospital nursery leader and independent support practitioner.

University of Hull Open Day

Your next steps

Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.

The standard way to apply for this course is through UCAS. This will give you the chance to showcase your skill, qualities and passion for the subject, as well as providing your academic qualifications.

How to apply

Not ready to apply?

Visit our next Open Day, and see all that Hull has to offer for yourself. Talk to our lecturers about your subject, find out what university is really like from our current students, and take a tour of our beautiful campus and amazing facilities.

Book your place now

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B.Ed Education and Childhood Studies (1 year top-up)

1.  The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

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