Childhood & Youth and Early Childhood

Childhood and youth combined with early childhood is a degree that addresses the full span of young people's development from birth to late adolescence, while giving particular depth to the foundational years of early childhood. Childhood and youth studies is a multidisciplinary field drawing on sociology, social policy, history, psychology, and cultural studies to examine the social, cultural, and institutional contexts that shape young lives. Early childhood focuses specifically on the developmental, pedagogical, and policy dimensions of the years from birth to around eight, a period that research consistently identifies as critical for long-term wellbeing and learning.

At Liverpool Hope University, this four-year full-time programme, which includes a foundation year, gives you the opportunity to explore the issues and challenges facing children and young people in the UK and around the world while also developing specialist knowledge of early childhood contexts and practice. You will examine key questions about children's agency, rights, wellbeing, and social contexts, grounding academic understanding in real-world engagement. The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and a work placement, giving you substantial professional and international experience alongside your academic development.

With a typical entry tariff of 104 UCAS points, including the foundation year, the programme is accessible to students with a genuine commitment to working with and for children and young people.

Graduates from this programme are well placed for careers in early years settings, schools, children's social care, family support, community education, and policy and research roles relating to children and young people. Many graduates go on to qualified teacher training, postgraduate social work training, or further study in childhood and education. The breadth of the combined programme opens a wide range of career options across both the early childhood and broader youth and community sectors.