Childhood Studies - 2012 entry

MA / PGDip / PGCert


Overview

The MA in Childhood Studies addresses the span of childhood from birth to the age of 12. The course provides an excellent grounding for those wishing to pursue, or develop further, their skills and careers as practitioners or researchers working with children or providing services for them. It is designed to appeal to professionals working in education, social work and health care who would value a deeper understanding of the theoretical issues relating to their professional concerns, and it also constitutes a good preparation for students who plan to study for a higher-level research degree such as a PhD.

 An interdisciplinary approach is central to the MA in Childhood Studies, which is taught by a core course team with expertise in sociology, psychology, history, social policy, social and health care, early childhood and education studies.

Why Brookes?

The School of Education at Oxford Brookes is one of the largest schools of education in the UK, combining high quality teaching and significant research and consultancy activity in an outstanding location, with superb sporting, recreational and study facilities.

As a Postgraduate student you will be joining a university which is a major contibutor to the improvement of education and learning, locally and nationally. The School of Education is a focal point for lively, informed debate on education through its seminar and lecture programmes, including the high profile Oxford Education debates. We are proud to be co-sponsors of the Oxford Academy, a community secondary school, where Oxford Brookes staff and students provide practical support to pupils and teaching staff.

Our Harcourt Hill campus offers all the benefits of a complete academic community on one site. Academics work alongside students from a wide range of backgrounds, and with the support of a caring and efficient administrative staff, provide a rich and diverse intellectual and social environment.

 

 

 

 

 

In detail

CONTACT US

Emma Pinchin
education@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 488617

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International Students

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Christine Wilkinson

The course has really challenged and changed my perception and understanding of childhood and how these perceptions so strongly influence policy.

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Course content

The MA in Childhood Studies comprises nine modules of study. There is a compulsory single module, Researching Childhood, and a compulsory triple Dissertation module.

There are five additional modules required. These may be modules designed specifically for the MA in Childhood Studies, which are:

  • Conceptions of Childhood
  • Learning and Development in Childhood
  • Children's Imaginative Worlds
  • Children in Families and Communities
  • Working with Children and Families

They can also be from acceptable modules in related programmes in education (for example the Advanced Early Years specialism), social and health care, and social policy.

Throughout the course we explore alternative conceptions of childhood and consider children’s lives and experiences through the social, economic, technological and global contexts in which they are situated. We also explore the expanding role of services for children, the challenges this provides for practitioners and policy makers, and the ways in which these services position children and their families.

We work in close partnership with hundreds of schools and colleges and other organisations.

As our courses are reviewed regularly, course content and module choices may change from the details given here.

Teaching, learning and assessment

The course will make use of a wide range of teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, online activities and discussions, workshops, placements and research projects. Throughout the course students will have the opportunity to learn in a research-led interdisciplinary environment. Assessment will be completely through coursework.

For full-time students, sessions will take place on two days each week. Attendance patterns take account of the fact that most part-time students are in full-time employment, so that over two years all modules will be available in a form suitable for part-timers, for example, one whole-day conference plus four evenings and two online discussions.

Free language courses for students - the Open Module

Free language courses are available to all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students who are studying any course on our Headington (including Marston Road), Harcourt Hill or Wheatley Campuses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.

Key facts

CONTACT US

Emma Pinchin
education@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 488617

RELATED COURSES:

International Students

Find out more about learning resources, culture, the social scene and career opportunities.

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department

School of Education

Course length

Full-time: MA: 12 months' attendance plus 6 months' dissertation write-up time); PGDip and PGCert: 12 months
Part-time: MA: 24 months' attendance plus 6 months' dissertation write-up time); PGDip: 24 months; PGCert: 12 months

Teaching location

Harcourt Hill Campus

Start date

September 2012

UKPASS code

41909

Apply / Entry reqs

CONTACT US

Emma Pinchin
education@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 488617

RELATED COURSES:

International Students

Find out more about learning resources, culture, the social scene and career opportunities.

Entry requirements

Normally you should have both of the following:

a) English as the first language; or GCSE or O-level English Language (A-C); or IELTS 6.5, or TOEFL 91 (internet-based)

b) a degree or equivalent professional qualification.

You may have an undergraduate background in any of a wide range of subjects including psychology, sociology, social and health care, education, history and anthropology.

English language requirements

Please see the university's standard English language requirements.

English language requirements for visas

If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Border Agency's minimum language requirements as well as the university's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.

Preparation courses for international and EU students

We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for this course and also familiarise you with university life. You may also be able to apply for one student visa to cover both courses.

  • Take our Pre-Master's course to help you to meet both the English language and academic entry requirements for your master's course
  • Take our University English course to help you to meet the English language requirements of your master's course

How to apply

You apply for this course through UKPASS.


Conditions of acceptance

When you accept our offer you agree to the conditions of acceptance. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.

Credit transfer

Oxford Brookes operates the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All postgraduate single modules are equivalent to 10 ECTS credits, double modules to 20 ECTS credits, and treble modules to 30 ECTS credits. A full master's course will carry 90 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.

Fees / funding

CONTACT US

Emma Pinchin
education@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 488617

RELATED COURSES:

International Students

Find out more about learning resources, culture, the social scene and career opportunities.

TUITION FEES

UK/EU

Full-time: £4,650
Part-time: £520 per single unit

International

Full-time: £11,140

Part-time: £1,240 per single unit

Fees (part-time and full-time) are for the academic year starting in 2012 only, unless otherwise stated. Fees increase annually by approximately 4%.

Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
+44 (0)1865 483088
finance-fees@brookes.ac.uk

Scholarships and funding

For general sources of financial support, see:

Oxford

CONTACT US

Emma Pinchin
education@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 488617

RELATED COURSES:

International Students

Find out more about learning resources, culture, the social scene and career opportunities.

Why Oxford is a great place to study Childhood Studies

As a student in Oxford you'll be at the heart of the UK's most successful economic region and in a centre for leading industries which provides you with a host of learning opportunities.

Because Oxford is one of the world's great academic cities, it is a key centre of debate, with conferences, seminars and forums taking place across education, science, the arts and many other subjects.

In addition to our own excellent libraries and resource centres, our postgraduate students have access to the world-renowned Bodleian Library, the Bodleian Law Library and the Radcliffe Science Library

Support

CONTACT US

Emma Pinchin
education@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 488617

RELATED COURSES:

International Students

Find out more about learning resources, culture, the social scene and career opportunities.

How Brookes supports postgraduate students

Supporting your learning

From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.

Personal support services

We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.

Research

CONTACT US

Emma Pinchin
education@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 488617

RELATED COURSES:

International Students

Find out more about learning resources, culture, the social scene and career opportunities.

Research excellence

 70% of Brookes' educational research was graded as internationally recognised. (RAE2008)