Childhood Studies, MA / PGDip / PGCert

You will follow a combination of compulsory and optional modules, depending on the level of qualification you are studying. Master’s students also complete a dissertation.

Throughout your studies, you will critically examine policy and practice initiatives and consider a range of research methods.

• A UK 2.2 (or above) degree in a related discipline (for example childhood studies, education, psychology, sociology, mental health), or its equivalent.
• Applications will be considered if you have significant relevant work experience.
• You will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (previously known as a Criminal Records Bureau, or CRB, Check).
• You may also be asked to attend an interview

International applicants:

• English language requirements are a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in all domains, or a University approved equivalent, prior to starting the programme. 
• A DBS check or an approved University equivalent.

Throughout the course you will need to complete a number of compulsory modules with the opportunity to select a further two additional modules.

Your learning will be assessed through written assignments such as research projects, child observations, essays and seminar presentations. You will also need to compile a 20,000 word dissertation.

Covid update

Teaching block one (TB1) runs from September until January and during this block, for this year, this course will be taught in a ‘blended’ way. This means that some teaching will be done online and some will be on campus. The online teaching, where you will be physically apart from your lecturer, can be ‘live’ with your lecturer present and where you’ll be able to interact. Some of it may be self-directed which means that you can access the learning materials at a time to suit you.

Your teaching will comprise of both in-person sessions on campus and remote subject learning online.

You’re face-to-face, on campus sessions will be a mixture of:

Module tutorials

Academic mentoring

Skills and practical sessions

Dissertation and project supervision

Employability sessions

Student welfare support

Your online learning and teaching may include:

Webinars

Academic consultation office hours

Hot topic debates and discussions

Revision sessions

Q&A time

On-demand e-lectures

Self-paced module content

Learning packs

Guided reading

At least 40 credits

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study at least 40 credits of this postgraduate course through the medium of Welsh. Many University departments develop and offer Welsh medium or bilingual modules as part of their courses so you will need to discuss the possibilities with the relevant Programme Director. You can study a module or modules through the medium of Welsh where possible or submit your dissertation in Welsh with guidance from a subject specialist through the medium of Welsh.

Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We can offer you:

• Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
• Access to the Arwain mobile app for the latest information about Welsh-medium courses and modules available to download free on the App Store and Google Play.
• An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
• Personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
• The option to create and submit your coursework or sit exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be assessed in Welsh.
• A Welsh-speaking Academic Mentor.
• One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
• An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
• Membership of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Visit the Welsh Language Rights webpage for further information about Students' Welsh Language Rights.

Continuing to study through the medium of Welsh will be:

• a natural step for you if you have studied through the medium of Welsh at undergraduate level.
• a way of maximizing your chances of getting the best education.
• a way of receiving a high level of support as the study groups are smaller.
• a valuable addition to your CV and career development.

Teaching staff are active researchers and their work is well published. 

Dr Pete King completed his PhD in Childhood Studies in 2013 at Swansea University and is the programme manager for both the MA Developmental and Therapeutic Play and MA Childhood Studies Programmes.  Pete is also module lead for Play Theory and Practice and Therapeutic Work with Children and contributes to the Perspectives on play, and supervising dissertation students.

Dr Justine Howard joined Swansea University in 2008 and is an Associate Professor and Chartered Psychologist specializing in child development.  Justine’s many published books reflect her professional background in education and developmental and therapeutic play.  Justine is responsible for the modules Understanding and Observing Children, Perspectives on Play and Advanced Practice, and contributes to the module Play Theory and Practice along with supervising dissertation students.

Dr Jan Lewis leads the Children's Rights and Safeguarding Children and Young People module and has worked at Swansea University since 2005.  Her professional background in the fields of children’s nursing, health visiting, primary health care and involvement in public health research informs her safeguarding teaching.  

Dr Mike Ward is Lecturer in Social Sciences at Swansea University and his work centres on the performance of working-class masculinities within and beyond educational institutions.  He has written numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, reports and is the author of the award-winning book From Labouring to Learning, Working-class Masculinities.  Mike is the module convener for module Research Childhood and supervising dissertation students.

Dr Sophia Komninou is an interdisciplinary scientist with a background on Nutrition and Health Psychology.   She has been teaching in the Masters programmes since 2016 and is the module lead for the Child Health Module, contributes to the Researching childhood module providing quantitative research methods expertise and supervising dissertation students.

Dr Gideon Calder has taught social policy and sociology at Swansea University since 2016.  His published work focuses mainly on applying theoretical debates about social justice to current social concerns, practices and priorities.  He recently co-edited the Routledge Handbook of the Philosophy of Childhood and Children.  He contributes to the module Children's Rights and Safeguarding Children and Young People and supervising dissertation students.

You can find out more about our academic expertise on our staff pages.

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

International students and part-time study: It may be possible for some students to study part-time under the Student Visa route. However, this is dependent on factors relating to the course and your individual situation. It may also be possible to study with us if you are already in the UK under a different visa category (e.g. Tier 1 or 2, PBS Dependant, ILR etc.). Please visit the University information on Visas and Immigration for further guidance and support.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

• Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
• Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
• Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
• Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
• Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal academic mentor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

Please apply through the University’s central application system.

For further guidance please visit our how to apply for postgraduate study pages.

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.

This course can be studied as an intercalated masters degree. 

Intercalation is an extra year of study on top of your Medicine degree programme and an opportunity to explore a new area in greater depth, gain new knowledge and develop new skills. 

If you’re interested in intercalating this degree email study@swansea.ac.uk