Child and Family Studies

Child and family studies is a degree concerned with understanding the conditions that support children's development and family wellbeing, and with the professional practice that promotes those conditions in the face of adversity. It draws on sociology, psychology, social policy, and child development research to examine how children grow, how families function, and how social and economic factors affect both. It is a discipline with a strong vocational orientation, preparing you for a wide range of roles in children's services, education, and family support.

At the University of Bedfordshire, this two-year full-time programme leads to a foundation degree or diploma-level qualification, providing a focused and efficient preparation for professional work with children and families. The programme's courses in childhood and youth studies have achieved high student satisfaction ratings in the National Student Survey for teaching, learning opportunities, academic support, and organisation and management. You will study child development, family dynamics, safeguarding, social policy, early years practice, and the professional frameworks that govern work with children and families, developing both the theoretical knowledge and the practical capabilities that these roles require.

The two-year structure is designed for those who want to move into professional practice efficiently, with the possibility of topping up to a full honours degree as a subsequent step.

Graduates go on to work in early years settings, primary schools, children's centres, family support services, social care, youth work, and a range of other roles concerned with the wellbeing of children and families. Many use this qualification as a stepping stone to further professional training, including teaching, social work, or counselling, or to a top-up degree that completes a full honours qualification. The analytical and practical capabilities the degree develops are directly applicable in the wide range of settings where children and families are supported.