Undergraduate

Working with Children, Young People and Families

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Enter your career faster, and balance work with studies perfectly with this accelerated two-year degree.
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 accelerated two-year degree prepares you for a career in the children’s, young people and families workforce including community development worker, advocacy worker, pastoral co-ordinator, well being co-ordinator and more.

Gain the knowledge to work with families in times of crisis and understand the role of communities in enabling children, young people and families to thrive.

You'll undertake placements and study real-life challenges, exploring intervention strategies including asset based and trauma-informed approaches

  • 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

  • Qualify faster

    with this two-year accelerated degree

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Course overview
Module options

About this course

Qualify faster and start your career sooner with this accelerated two-year degree - perfect for those balancing study with work or other commitments.

Taught by an experienced team engaged in cutting-edge research, this course explores how society’s structures impact children, families, and communities. You'll examine real-world issues like crime, human rights, abuse, poverty, and mental health while developing key sector competencies to enhance outcomes for children, young people and families.

Work-based learning is at the heart of this degree, with three professional placements ensuring you gain hands-on experience that links theory with practice. You'll also take part in field trips, short visits to diverse settings, and inspiring guest lectures from industry professionals.

Opportunities to undertake additional training that enhances students’ knowledge, skills and understanding and that can be applied in the real-world including Forest School training at levels 1 and 2, Safeguarding at level 1 and Trauma and Mental Health informed schools.

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 the extended research project, are worth more. In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules. 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

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

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

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

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 informal and formal educational contexts settings. The module works alongside the professional practice placement and will enable you to undertake in depth investigation into issues you are encountering in practice.

Core•20 credits

Families Culture and Communities

The saying it takes a village to raise a ‘child’ has ongoing relevance in the 21st century.  Where children and young people live really makes an impact on their lives and future opportunities. This module supports your understanding of what can be done to enable communities to flourish. The module shines a light on the role of practitioners who can work alongside communities to identify and develop sustainable and creative solution based approaches to barriers.

Core•20 credits

Professional Practice Placement

You will have the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of people and community through an extended placement within your chosen field, wither in the UK or abroad. The placement will support you to become increasingly confident and able to drive your own professional development. We have exciting placement opportunities in various informal and formal contexts that will introduce you to the transformatory potential of working with children young people and families

Core•20 credits
7 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

This module provides you with an opportunity to take a deep dive into the changing nature of families, the challenges faced and the different ways social policy seeks to respond.  Through a case study approach the module will enable you to explore the impact of 21st century issues including poverty and criminal and sexual exploitation.  Opportunities will be provided to critically evaluate social policy and a rationale for multidisciplinary approaches to strengthen support to families.

Core•20 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 Project/Dissertation (Education)

Project-based learning is a process in which you choose, plan, and complete a project independently, with expert support from your tutor. You will produce a unique piece of work that you can discuss with a degree of expertise. There will be opportunity to demonstrate and nurture skills such as creativity, independent thinking, resilience, and problem solving. An extended project is a particularly good preparation to undertake further study towards a professional qualification at masters level.

Core•60 credits

The Critical Social Pedagogue

Making a difference to a child, young person, family or community requires practitioners who can both critically reflect and evaluate their role and the impact of interventions. The module builds on the strong foundation of holistic, asset based approaches to working with children, young people and families, and will incorporate a placement. At the end of the module, students celebrate their professional journey by developing a personal artefact to showcase pedagogical learning.

Core•60 credits
6 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.
Sarah Donkin
Featured academic

Sarah Donkin

Sarah has more than twenty years' experience of teaching and supporting students in further and higher education and a Masters in Inclusive Education. Her teaching specialisms include safeguarding in education and inclusive education.

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 are designed to meet the high demand for well-trained professionals in children’s and young people’s services, preparing you to move straight into employment or further study.

Career opportunities are diverse, spanning education, social care, safeguarding, and community development. Graduates go on to roles such as Youth Offending Team Practitioner, Children's Centre Coordinator, Safeguarding Officer, Behaviour Outreach Caseworker, or Pastoral Support Officer.

With further postgraduate study, you could progress into careers such as Social Worker, Education Mental Health Practitioner, Play Therapist, or Speech and Language Therapist.

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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