Psychology and Childhood Studies

Psychology and childhood studies approaches children and young people from two complementary angles: the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes on one side, and the broader interdisciplinary study of childhood as a social, cultural, and developmental experience on the other. Psychology gives you the tools to understand how children develop cognitively, emotionally, and socially, and how psychological principles inform the support they need. Childhood studies widens that lens to examine the contexts in which children grow, including family, school, community, and policy, and the ways in which their experiences are shaped by structural forces as well as individual development.

The three-year full-time Psychology and Childhood Studies programme at Birmingham Newman University is designed for students who want to discover how children and young people experience the world through a psychological lens. It offers a thoughtful and inclusive route into understanding behaviour, development, and wellbeing, building the insight, flexibility, and practical awareness to develop as a reflective practitioner. You will study the foundational areas of psychology, including developmental psychology, social psychology, and research methods, alongside the specific content of childhood studies: child welfare, play, learning, safeguarding, and children's rights.

With a typical entry tariff of 72 points, the programme is deliberately accessible, reflecting Birmingham Newman's commitment to broadening participation in higher education. Graduates pursue careers in teaching, early years education, social work, youth work, mental health support, family services, and educational psychology. Many go on to postgraduate qualifications in psychology, social work, or teaching, using the degree as a strong foundation for professional practice with children and young people.