Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Childhood and Youth Studies and Sociology (English medium) Bangor University, UK

Studying these two complementary disciplines provides a comprehensive understanding of how social conditions, situations and interactions impact the lives, behaviour, beliefs, and identities of children and young people. How they affect everything from education and development to employment, mental health, and wellbeing.

At Bangor University, we provide a multilingual and multicultural environment in which you are taught by internationally renowned staff at the forefront of research in sociology, psychology, children’s rights, linguistics, education, health and welfare. Their expertise addresses issues around identities (race, democracy, nation), society (housing, inequality), crime and justice, media, political action, and technology. Their insight and experiences prepare you to listen to what children and young people have to say, adopting an approach that places children and young people’s voices at the centre of discussions.

This BA (Hons) Childhood and Youth Studies and Sociology degree examines childhood and youth experiences from conception to the transition to adulthood, including children’s rights, adolescence, development, identity, and diversity. You can explore the history of childhood, children’s rights, the nature of childhood, and the role of adults working with children in a national, European and international context.

We place a strong emphasis on developing your employability. Regular presentations help build your confidence in public speaking, while educational visits and guest speakers give you a head start building and engaging with professional networks. Guest lectures have previously covered racial equality by Race Council Cymru, children’s rights from Action For Children and domestic violence from Welsh Women’s Aid, for example.

You will have opportunities to undertake work placements or voluntary experience. Previous students, for instance, have provided assistance in schools and nurseries, for outdoor education centres and charities that support children and young people on a range of issues, from mental health to working with young carers. Others have obtained placements with Citizens Advice, Welsh Women’s Aid, Gwynedd Council, Llandudno Museum, Conwy Youth Services, and the Prison Advice and Care Trust, to name just a few.

Over the course of your degree, you will develop a broad range of specialist and general transferrable skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis, data handling, project management, and working and communicating with others. On graduation, a wide range of rewarding careers will be open to you, including teaching, social work, mental health support, counselling, youth work, and law.