Psychology and Childhood Studies will enable you to apply psychological knowledge and understanding to work with children and young people.

On this programme you’ll learn how to reach valid conclusions based on scientific underpinnings. You’ll study the practicalities of working with children, adolescents and young people in research and social contexts with emphasis placed on current social and educational policies within childcare and safeguarding. You’ll explore how society views childhood, how children develop, and the challenges facing children and young people today – as well as reviewing the impact of relevant legislation.

GBC

This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), thus students gaining at least a Lower Second Class Honours Degree are eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS, which means you will have taken your first step towards becoming a professional psychologist.

Want to do something more counselling-based? Or with Forensics, Children or Criminology? Take a look at our other Psychology courses.

• This degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
• Childhood focused modules are included in each year of study.
• Combination of two subject areas (Psychology and Working with Children, Young People and Families) which will enhance student learning experience.

During your  first year of study (level 4) you will learn about Psychology as an academic and applied discipline. You  will explore what is meant by ‘science’ and in particular, what is meant by evidence, and learn about the principles of research design. In addition, you will also be introduced to some of the key thinkers and the big ideas that have shaped the way children, young people and families have been characterised. Within this first year you will  developsound academic skills, research literacy, and a broad knowledge and understanding of the core domains in psychology, including how they may offer competing perspectives, and to the underlying principles and theoretical approaches of childhood studies.

In the second year of study (level 5), youwill gain a deeper understanding of research methods and develop the skills and knowledge to prepare you  to engage ethically and effectively in your own research projects.  Another central feature of the second year is the development of in-depth knowledge and understanding of the core domains within psychology. These form the focus of four of the modules undertaken by students at this level, covering: cognition, biological, social, individual differences, development and research methods. In addition, you will critically analyse different theories and approaches to participation that practitioners exercise when making decisions that affect children, young people and families.

In the final year (level 6) of study, you will undertake an empirical dissertation in Psychology and Childhood Studies in addition to exploring the historical and contemporary concerns that have served to shape policy and practice around children. An important feature of the third year is the availability of optional modules focusing on areas of applied psychology and modules relating to childhood studies.  Optional modules offered provide students with the opportunity to explore practical challenges of working with families where there are concerns around violence, harm and/or abuse in addition to developing anti-oppressive practice.

One – 20 credit module equates to 36hours of scheduled contact time and 164 hours of independent learning. Each year you will study 120 credits.

A wide range of assessment methods are employed in the Psychology and Childhood Studies programme, this is to enable you  to develop skills in different approaches and to ensure that the full range of such skills are assessed and you are developing a range of skills that will be invaluable in the modern professional workplace.  Assessment methods vary from research reports, interventions proposals, portfolios, presentations, and posters, critiques, case studies. There are no examinations on this programme.

As a graduate you will be furnished with valuable transferable skills that will enable you to pursue a range of career opportunities. Students gaining at least a Lower Second Class Honours Degree are eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS, which means you will have taken your first step towards becoming a professional psychologist. Thus, following postgraduate training, students can enter the various psychological professions with psychology such as, educational, clinical, occupational and counselling psychology.

The MSc Clinical Applications of Psychology programme is available here at Birmingham Newman for students who wish to continue psychology at postgraduate level. The issues covered in this course would benefit those who eventually want to specialise in working with children and young people.

Other career destinations related to the study of Psychology and Childhood Studies include (and are not limited to) social work and health care, human resources and management, consultancy, education in addition to marketing and advertising.

Birmingham Newman University is located in Britain’s second city – Birmingham. With one of the youngest city populations in Europe, it is a vibrant and dynamic place to study.

Studying at Newman University, you have the advantage of being near to the city, but living in, or commuting to peaceful and comfortable surroundings on campus.

Dining out

Birmingham has lots of wonderful places to dine out with a range of different cuisines. Places where you can dine out include; Brindley Place, Mailbox and Hagley Road (just 10 minutes’ from Newman).

Entertainment

Whether you like to go to; the theatre, gigs or clubs, or enjoy: sports, shopping visiting art galleries or exhibitions – Birmingham will not disappoint and you will be spoilt for choice!

Location

Getting around Birmingham is easy via train, bus or by car. Birmingham has excellent transport links to the rest of Britain, making it easy for those weekend getaways!

Why not explore the city for yourself by visiting one of our Open Days?

Want to find out more about Birmingham? Then take a look at some Birmingham City Secrets.