BA (Hons)
Families
& Childhood Studies
(with foundation year)

• Includes a foundation year to prepare you for further years of study.
• Block placements are offered in each year of the programme in a range of school and community settings
• A supportive staff team and academic tutorial system
• Staff come from a range of diverse child, family and education backgrounds and are all engaged in research
• Articles for peer-reviewed journals are jointly produced by staff and level 6 students
• Careers event in Year 2; including presentations delivered by Alumni
• High retention, achievement and employability rates

Based on a combination of academic study and work experience, the course is designed to build upon your knowledge, skills and experience of working with children, young people and families.

Year 1 (Foundation Year)

The Education foundation year will introduce students to the theories of Child Development and how they can be applied and evidenced in practice.  Students will be given an overview of the concept of health and wellbeing in the early years and the importance of providing a healthy, safe and secure environment for children.  You will gain a theoretical and experiental basis of the necessary skills to work with children, young people and families.

Modules

• Introduction to Child Development
• Introduction to Health and Well-being
• Introduction to Counselling
• Introduction to Childhood and Youth Studies
• Working with Children, Young People and Families

Year 2 (Level 4)

The first year offers students a broad understanding of some of the main issues involving work with children, young people and families. Key to the philosophy of the programme are family well-being, multi-agency working and policy development/implementation.

Modules

• Development of Children and Young People
• Working with Children, Young People and Families
• Introduction to ALN/SEN
• Protecting Children and Young People
• Development of Literacy and Numeracy
• Academic Development and Reflective Practice
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Year 3 (Level 5)

Builds upon the modules studied at level 4, considering more complex factors significant to the rights, participation and well-being of children, young people and families.

Modules

• Inclusion and Diversity
• Skills for the Workplace
• Child and Adolescent Health and Well-Being
• Risk, Resilience and Recovery
• Children’s Rights in Practice
• Research Methods

Year 4 (Level 6)

The final year builds upon prior learning, requires more independent study and involves students selecting a child/family topic of their choice to undertake a small-scale research project within a family/community setting.

Modules

• Promoting Positive Behaviour
• Youth and Society
• Supporting Families with Young Children
• Multi-Agency Practice with Children, Young People and Families with Complex Needs
• Research Article

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

BA (Hons) Families and Childhood Studies (including Foundation Year) 

UCAS Code: 14L1

Our general requirement for the foundation year is UCAS tariff points of 48  but all applications are considered individually and we consider work experience, vocational training/qualifications, as well as motivation and potential to succeed.

Before you are offered a place on this degree you will be required to obtain a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance (previously known as CRB) and pay the appropriate fee, so that a check can be made on your suitability for working with children and/or vulnerable adults.

If you have studied in another European country, please check the Entry Requirements for your qualification.

A range of assessment methods are used which include: essays and reports; case studies; observations; portfolios; presentations; research proposal; journal article; conference posters.

These varied assessment strategies help individuals to develop a range of transferrable skills required for work within child, family and community settings.

Teaching and learning

Wrexham Glyndŵr University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

Teaching hours are as follows:

Year 1 (Level 4) (12 hours a week module contact; 1 hour a week tutorial; an average of 12 hours a week private study)

Year  2 (Level 5) (up to 12 hours a week module contact; 1 hour a week tutorial; an average of 12 hours a week private study)

Year 3 (Level 6) (up to 9 hours a week module contact; 1 hour a week tutorial; an average of 15 hours a week private study)

Placement forms part of the programme at each level of study: Year 1 (20 days); Year 2 (25 days); Year 3 (20 days). You will be expected to mirror the working hours of the staff within the placement setting you attend.

The Careers & Zone at Wrexham Glyndŵr University is there to help you make decisions and plan the next steps towards a bright future. From finding work or further study to working out your interests, skills and aspirations, they can provide you with the expert information, advice and guidance you need.

There are a growing number of careers within the child, family and community sector, and opportunities for further studies, including:

• Sure Start/Flying Start/Home Start
• Women's Aid
• Play Worker
• Police Family Liaison Officer
• Young Carers
• Substance Misuse Support Worker
• Child/Family Worker including supporting young people who have lived with abuse
• Team Around the Family
• Support Worker - young people leaving care
• PGCE (primary)
• PCET (post 16)
• Masters programmes

You do not have to pay your tuition fees upfront.

Wrexham Glyndŵr University’s tuition fees for 2019/20 for a full-time undergraduate degree course are £9000 per year.

The fees you pay and the support available will depend on a number of different factors. Full information can be found on our fees & finance pages. You will also find information about what your fees include in the FAQs section of those pages. 

You can see the full programme specification here.