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UCAS code:
L5L3
Typical offer:
104-112 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent
Showing content for section Overview
Apply now through Clearing
If you have your results, you can apply directly to us now to start in September 2024.
Our experiences in childhood and adolescence can have a huge influence on the choices we make and how society sees us.
On this Childhood and Youth Studies with Criminology degree, you'll explore the issues affecting children and young people aged 8–18, and the role of the criminal justice system and the causes of crime – as well as how these subject areas interconnect.
Learning from academic researchers and staff with experience as practitioners in the field, you'll focus on child development, children's learning and relationships, and delve into the complex policies, practices and societal pressures that impact them.
You'll also have the chance to focus your childhood and youth studies on a particular specialism - education and teaching, community and youth/family provision, or leadership and enterprise.
After the course, you'll graduate with the skills and knowledge for a rewarding career working with children and young people in a variety of settings, including youth intervention, youth justice and social work.
Course highlights
- Spend two-thirds of your time at the School of Education and Sociology, examining topics around child development, children and society, education, psychology, health and social work
- Spend your remaining time studying at the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, learning about crime, punishment and rehabilitation
- Practise real-world scenarios in our Family Assessment Room, where you'll examine how parents and children feel during family meetings, and explore your responsibilities as a practitioner
- Have the opportunity to do a youth work placement year after your second or third year on this Connected Degree - we're the only UK university to offer flexible sandwich placements for undergraduates
- Tailor your studies to your career goals and interests, and have the option to complete pre-entry qualifications for a career in probation work or community justice
- Enrich your learning and build relationships with potential employers by volunteering, studying abroad or doing a work placement alongside your studies
- Develop a set of key transferable life and career skills, including critical thinking, team working, empathy and problem solving
- Choose to learn a foreign language for free as part of your degree, from a selection of Arabic, British Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin or Spanish
![Complete University Guide Top 10 Childhood and Youth Studies 2024](/sites/default/files/styles/accolades/public/media/images/ports_top_ten_childhood_youth_studies.jpg?itok=LhyEv_OB)
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
This course gives students a specialist perspective when looking at the knowledge and skills associated with working with children and young people.
Combining two subject areas offers the opportunity to build valuable transferable skills and enjoy a degree from a wide range of lecturer's professional expertise.
This course is available through Clearing.
Apply now through Clearing
If you have your results, you can apply directly to us now to start in September 2024.
How to apply for accommodation
We have a variety of accommodation options, including studios, en-suites, catered, self-catered and private rental options. See how our housing team can help you find a place to call home.
Clearing FAQs
To work out your UCAS points, use our UCAS Calculator to work out how many UCAS points you have.
The tariff calculator will allow you to see what grades you need to get into your preferred course at Portsmouth.
You can apply through Clearing if:
- You don't meet the conditions of your offer for your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses
- Your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university
- You don't hold any offers
- You've accepted an offer but changed your mind about the course you want to do
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June 2024
After we make you an offer we'll send you a confirmation email. This email will let you know what you need to do next and it will tell you what you need to provide us. In some instances we may ask you to send us copies of certificates or you may need to send us a portfolio.
If you've previously applied through UCAS you'll need to use your UCAS Hub to accept our offer by adding us as your Clearing choice.
If you're having issues, please contact us on +44 (0)23 9284 8090 or admissions@port.ac.uk
Once you've accepted your Clearing course offer, we'll be in touch with details of available accommodation in the area. This will include our latest hall availability and support to find local rented accommodation via
See our accommodation page for more information.
No, it's not too late and you should make your application for student finance as soon as possible. You don't have to wait for your results. You can make your application now and just amend it when you know where you're going to be.
If you've already applied for your student loan, you'll need to log into your account and update details about your new course/university. If you haven't applied for your student loan yet, don't panic. Apply today – it only takes 30 minutes.
Find out more in our Student finance for Clearing guide.
If you're an EU or international student and you need a visa to study here, you need to start the process quickly as visas can take some time to come through. Get in touch with our visa support team if you have a question or problem.
See more on visa advice.
If you would like further information or guidance, please contact our international office or call our International Clearing Hotline on +44(0)23 9284 8785.
BA (Hons) Childhood and Youth Studies with Criminology degree entry requirements
Typical offers
- A levels - BBC-BCC
- UCAS points - 104-112 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
- T-levels - Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DMM
- International Baccalaureate - 25
You may need to have studied specific subjects –
Selection process
Applicants must pass Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting their professional placement working with children and young people.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Typical offers
- A levels - BBC-BCC
- UCAS points - 104-112 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
- T-levels - Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DMM
- International Baccalaureate - 25
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs -
Selection process
Applicants must pass Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting their professional placement working with children and young people.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Teacher Education Centre
Our Teacher Education Centre is a fun, bright and inspiring immersive learning space where you can develop the practical learning experiences for a career working with children.
![HSS Teaching Facility Milldam](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-369D763F-0C9C-44A7-86B49656CE8F3027.jpg?itok=uO60hQvV)
Crime scene simulation spaces
Use the latest forensic advances and immersive learning technologies, including virtual reality, to delve into crime scene investigation in our realistic simulation areas.
![Close up of gloved hands examining crime evidence with torch](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-68CBD884-AA77-48E7-9E1EF0C88DFF53B5.jpg?itok=mpHuTtU3)
Understanding child development and the factors that shape the early years helps us support young people as they move through life, especially at times of difficulty.
With its two distinct yet interrelated subject areas, this Childhood and Youth Studies with Criminology degree will prepare you for a range of careers working on behalf of children and young people.
You'll graduate with the knowledge and insight to advocate for young people's futures in relation to the challenges they face, including those connected to crime and the law.
There's significant demand for graduates who have the expert skills and knowledge to work with young people and children in the community in this way, particularly since the pandemic and its impact on education.
You'll also gain valuable transferable skills, including leadership, people management and contextual communication.
Careers and employment
Our graduate employment rates are among the UK's best, with 94% of our students in work and/or further study.
![Student visiting the Careers Team to talk about graduate jobs](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/Careers-and-employment-support.jpg?h=06d1b5ea&itok=iRv_xl4y)
What can you do with a childhood and youth studies with criminology degree?
After the course, you could work in areas such as:
- youth work
- law enforcement and the police
- social work
- social justice
- children's rights
- social policy
- probation
- educational welfare
- health promotion
- teaching
What career could I build with a childhood studies degree?
Want to work with children? Discover the jobs you could gain with a degree in childhood studies.
Jodie Pinnell
We get students that come to us and say, I really want to work with children. I want to help. I want to make a difference. It's our job to say, here's all the wonderful things that you can do with children.
At the 91ÈÕº«AV, we have a number of undergraduate Childhood Studies degrees. We have Early Childhood Studies and Childhood and Youth Studies either as a single honours course or with the option to have a combined honours with criminology or with psychology.
Cathryn Barty
This course has three specialisms. They are education and teaching, community and youth/family liaison and leadership and enterprise. The three are embedded throughout the course over three years. It helps you to decide which path you want to pursue after you finish your degree.
Anya Manley
The route that I decided to choose was the education and teaching because I have a passion to be a primary school teacher.
Adam Denman
I wanted to take my career further. I was recommended to go on to the Enterprise course, linked at the 91ÈÕº«AV, in addition to my studies. I managed to participate in masterclasses from external speakers and entrepreneurs in residence, that supported me in setting up my own social enterprise in music education.
Anya Manley
The career options you can do with this course are unlimited, there's so many.
Victoria Blay
One of them is teaching. Whether that be primary teaching, early years in a nursery, secondary school.
Adam Denman
Others work within further education through local colleges. Some of them work within the NHS.
Victoria Blay
There's the prison service, the police service. But obviously through university you understand what your passions are.
Jodie Pinnell
A huge part of their professional practice module is they'll go out and they'll do their placement for a day a week, or they would have done a big extended placement over their summer break.
Victoria Blay
I did two placements. One was within a private prep school and then I worked in another school, which was an alternative provision school. It was really, really enjoyable. It was taking some of what I learnt at uni and putting it into practice and reflecting on that as well.
Ellen Braddick
I think having the placements reassured me that this is something that I definitely want to do. It really helped me a lot to get to the place I am now.
Jodie Pinnell
As part of that, they all inform each other's ideas and co-reflect on their positionality. I can come into this setting and I can make a difference.
Cathryn Barty
What I loved most about the course was the support I received from the lecturers.
Adam Denman
They've had a variety of different backgrounds within their careers. They also have a wide range of contacts within the industry and with local schools and colleges in the Portsmouth region.
Anya Manley
Portsmouth is a good city, you've got a beach five minutes away from the centre of the campus. You've got shops nearby, you've got restaurants. It's a good place to come and study whether you like the culture or just somewhere quiet to sit and just take in the world.
Placement year and work experience
After your second or third year, you can do a paid placement in a youth work setting. You'll have the opportunity to make a positive difference to young people while applying your knowledge and boosting your employability.
Previous childhood and youth studies with criminology students have put their skills to work at organisations such as:
- Portsmouth in the Community (PitC)
- KidsOut
- Victim Support
We’ll help you secure a placement that fits your ambitions. You’ll get mentoring and support to get the most out of your placement year.
This course also allows you to take the Learning From Experience (LiFE) option. This means you can earn credits towards your degree for work, volunteer and research placements that you do alongside your study.
We can also help you identify additional work experience, internship and voluntary opportunities that complement your studies.
You could also choose to set up your own business, or take a voluntary placement.
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.
What you'll study
Core modules
You’ll learn how to carry out research ethically when working with communities and organisations to address real-world issues.
You’ll develop your own research proposal with expert guidance - from forming questions to methodology design.
Build transferable research skills you’ll use throughout your degree, from reflective practice to clear communication of your findings.
You'll explore key theories and research on the ways children and young people develop, including physical, cognitive, social and emotional growth.
By the end of the module, you'll have a better understanding of how to support children's wellbeing and development.
You'll look at the historical development of criminal justice, as well as the duties of the criminal justice agencies that exist today, and how they work together.
You'll also explore the ideas behind the different types of punishment used within the criminal justice system.
You’ll develop skills in independent thinking, teamwork, problem-solving and project work, and get to grips with academic writing, referencing procedures, and the use of technology to enhance your skills.
You’ll also begin developing your ePortfolio, a personal collection documenting your learning journey.
You'll examine the origins of criminology, considering the rise of the scientific study of crime and criminality.
You'll also think about the social, cultural, political and economic factors that led to the development of the study of criminology that we know today.
Core modules
You’ll complete your practical placement in an educational or community setting serving children and youth, shadowing experienced professionals to help address learner needs across academic, social-emotional and behavioural domains.
You'll gain essential employability skills demanded by the industry, enabling you to explore theoretical concepts related to professional practice in the context of children and young people.
You'll also reflect on your own practice to understand personal, ethical and professional behaviour, and how you collaborate with other professionals.
You'll examine the criticisms and challenges of criminology as a social science, thinking about the part it plays in creating social order.
You'll also explore theories of social control and cultural resistance through debate and published ideas on the subject, which will help you develop an understanding of justice and dissent.
You’ll delve into the interplay of technology, media, peer networks, subcultures and counterculture movements in shaping youth identity expression, from music to activism and more.
You’ll explore pressing issues facing today’s youth, and evaluate innovative youth work initiatives supporting young people’s wellbeing and development.
You'll explore the complex relationships between ethics, laws and imprisonment policies.
Alongside your classmates, you'll focus on pressing issues like mental health, violence and gender while arguing for a more humane, effective prison system.
Using existing studies as an example, you'll examine the key issues to think about, such as ethics, protection of the children involved, and data protection. You'll learn how to carry out ethical, meaningful research with children and young people, including quantitative and qualitative research methods that put children first, from observation and focus groups to surveys.
You'll think about how to choose a research area to investigate, and how to design and carry out a research project with children and young people – essential skills that will help you prepare for your dissertation.
Optional modules
In this module, you’ll explore European colonisation of Africa, asking questions like - how did they justify colonial rule, and how did African peoples respond to these colonisers?
You’ll learn how, after World War II, colonial rule was increasingly challenged from both within the empire, by growing African demands for political rights, and in the international arena, with the global trend towards trusteeship, development and self-determination.
You’ll also explore European relations with Africa in the post-colonial era, looking at themes which may include ideas about civilisation, universalism and race, modern attempts to 'rehabilitate' empire in the media, and the legacies of colonialism in Britain, Europe and Africa.
You’ll analyse the essence of security, exploring how security needs are addressed around the world and on a national level, down to a community and even an individual basis.
You’ll explore different forms of societal risk and insecurity, and approaches to dealing with security threats, taking into account the nature and impact of economic and political developments.
You'll learn how to think critically about the key concepts that link language, culture and communication, considering the benefits and limitations of these ideas.
You'll explore the different ways in which communication intersects with culture across themes such as identity, education, gender, and the media.
Alongside what you learn, you'll improve your skills in analysis, research and intercultural awareness.
You'll learn about consumer behaviour and brand strategy, and spend time examining real-world marketing campaigns. You'll also think about how social, political and technological forces can affect the way businesses approach marketing their products and services.
Skills you'll develop include carrying out market research and learning how to use what you learn, crafting targeted messaging across different marketing channels, and presenting your ideas verbally and in writing.
You'll learn about major economic, political and cultural changes in Western Europe over the nineteenth century, and how these affected the rest of the world as time went on.
You'll explore the big ideas that have shaped the modern world, and weigh up the benefits and perils of globalisation. Skills you'll develop on this module include independent research, critical thinking and effective communication.
You'll also learn to understand the opportunities and challenges of today's world from an informed, global perspective.
You’ll look critically ideas of nationalism historically and today with a focus on the everyday, intimate and embodied boundaries of nation-states and how these shape our lives, including those of us living in the most privileged parts of the world.
You’ll explore real-world cases to understand the individual and societal impacts on human lives, developing your analytical skills and imagining more compassionate alternatives.
You’ll unpack the language of tabloids, broadsheets and online news, analysing how journalists shape public understanding of current events.
Develop your critical thinking by confronting moral panics and polarised politics in reporting.
Create your own news stories and gain real insight into mass communication in a rapidly changing landscape.
You'll analyse major cases of economic crime and weigh up their wider societal implications.
You'll also learn how to recognise disciplinary perspectives, become familiar with the key investigating organisations, identify investigative techniques, and gather and analyse real case information.
You’ll analyse American texts against the backdrop of intellectual, social and political change, evaluating how writers grappled with emerging ideas around national identity, race, gender and more.
By honing skills for contextual analysis and independent thought, you’ll form your own interpretations of iconic works that reflect the American experience.
You’ll analyse diverse transitional justice approaches balancing community healing and judicial accountability after mass atrocities.
Comparing mechanisms like war crimes tribunals, truth commissions and reparations programmes, you’ll evaluate effectiveness in restoring dignity and preventing recurrence.
With case studies from Europe to Africa, from Latin America to Asia, you'll examine tensions between western models and local cultural perspectives, assessing what ‘justice’ means to vulnerable peoples.
Throughout, you'll trace incremental human rights legislation advances, assessing global institutions’ roles protecting civilians from authoritarian regimes and wartime abuses.
Through interactive lectures with academics, speakers and professionals, you'll discuss, debate and complete practical exercises exploring wildlife crime alongside your classmates.
You'll spend time examining wildlife crimes and the factors behind them, as well as environmental justice and sustainability.
Deep dive into critical matters like bullying, inclusion and resilience. You'll get insight into Transition Theory and how social factors form perspectives, and have the chance to direct your own learning, with a choice of essay topics and the opportunity to engage in dialogues with special guests.
This combo of theory and personal focus builds essential knowledge of the forces forming children's social development
You'll also apply the ideas and concepts you learn directly to working with young people, and reflect on your own experiences and approaches to learning.
You’ll look at the factors that shape childhood and the challenges children face, including the development, differences and successes of different education systems and the impact that has on children, teachers, and communities.
You’ll explore the relationships between education and social understandings with a specific focus on identities, inequality, and constructions of childhood.
By the end of the module, you’ll have developed a critical understanding of the complexities that shape childhood around the world.
With a minimum 80-hour commitment, you’ll apply what you’ve learned so far on your degree to real-world professional settings within our community of local businesses, social enterprises, and third-sector organisations.
You’ll have support from interactive workshops, tutorials, and guest speaker events, encouraging you to set achievable professional goals and evolve your professional identity.
Core modules
You'll evaluate contemporary support themes, analyse young people's relationships, and learn how theory relates to practical social work.
This module prepares you for the complexity of helping young people with more advanced needs.
They may appear isolated, anxious and fearful, or they may seem unhappy or disturbed. As part of this module, you’ll look at the characteristics of these problems, as well as some of the explanations that have been offered about how these problems arise.
We will also be discussing ways in which we can support children and young people facing mental health difficulties across a variety of settings.
Optional modules
It's up to you what your dissertation or project is about – this will be your chance to showcase your passion for childhood studies by choosing a subject area or topic that most interests you.
You'll draw on everything you’ve learned so far to investigate, analyse, craft and refine your dissertation or project, using existing texts, sources and artefacts to support your arguments and give them context. You'll have the support of a dedicated dissertation tutor to guide you throughout this module.
This real-world, project-based module lets you address an identified need or gap by designing an innovative product, service or resource.
With support from university staff and external partners, you'll demonstrate critical thinking, ethical awareness and project management abilities.
Your final project and presentation will showcase your employability and capacity for high-impact solutions.
On this module, you'll explore online human behaviour and how digital technology influences our actions on individual, group and wider societal levels.
You'll use psychological and criminological ideas to investigate cyberpsychology, and delve into these debates by designing and carrying out your own small-scale research projects on issues like virtual relationships, online identity, digital addiction, and more.
You'll consider concepts like risk, dangerousness and risk management and how they vary and affect the way criminals are managed in different countries, including the UK, the USA, Canada and Australia.
By analysing historical and modern-day debates around dangerousness and public protection, you'll develop your own informed perspectives on legislation, policies and key criminal behaviour profiles.
Environmental problems are a serious national and international concern, regularly dominating media headlines.
As scientific research has shown, these issues are increasingly urgent and include climate change, pollution, habitat loss, species decline and the destruction of our natural resources.
Through interactive lectures, discussion, debate and practical exercises, you'll critically analyse perpetrators and victims of green criminology, examine national and international policing and risk regulation roles, and reflect on justice issues.
You'll examine the powers afforded to police constables as they carry out their duties, alongside professional standards, accountability and key issues around diversity, ethics, values and wellbeing.
You'll discuss the purpose of the police force, demonstrate critical understanding of consent principles, evaluate equality policies, summarise resilience strategies, and critically examine the application of law within policing.
Through an interactive mix of debates and research projects, you'll take an in-depth look at diverse perspectives on racial bias in policing, sentencing and incarceration rates.
By engaging with cross-cultural theories and data, you'll build informed views on how we can continue to reform these systemic issues.
You’ll develop your knowledge of core linguistic frameworks in order to investigate a range of communication issues, such as language and control, the role of interpreters, the veracity of witness statements, and the interviewing of vulnerable witnesses, such as children.
You'll explore this question on this module, examining how gender affects pathways into offending, victimisation, punishment, treatment, rehabilitation and more.
You'll think critically about crime, criminology and criminal justice from the perspective of gender, with a focus on the experiences of women and those who identify as women.
You'll also spend time looking into serious offences such as organised crime and terrorism, and evaluate the role of the police in countering these threats.
With a minimum 80-hour commitment, you'll apply what you've learned so far on your degree to real-world professional settings within our community of local businesses, social enterprises, and third-sector organisations.
You'll have support from interactive workshops, tutorials, and guest speaker events, encouraging you to set achievable professional goals and evolve your professional identity.
You'll think critically about the theoretical concepts behind existing approaches to offender rehabilitation, comparing and evaluating how they work in the real world.
Through independent research and reflection, you'll gain crucial skills you can use to examine and find ways to improve rehabilitation practices across the criminal justice system.
On this module, you’ll dissect the media phenomenon of true crime, looking at public perceptions of crime and justice.
You'll think critically about how emotive true crime narratives frame key players, from villains to victims. Exploring ideas of prejudice, you’ll investigate whether sensationalised serial killer stories simply reinforce stereotypes of class and gender.
Alternatively, could advocacy-focused wrongful conviction cases challenge assumptions and drive social change?
By applying criminology theory, you'll uncover complex biases shaping everything from podcasts to primetime prison documentaries.
You’ll delve into the various types of sexual offending, gain an understanding of the consequences, examine the role of media in shaping public perception, and discuss alternative methods for addressing offending.
There’s a strong emphasis on fostering respectful and informed discussions of sensitive topics.
Optional modules
Work Placement Year or Study Year Abroad
Boost your employability by taking an industry-based work placement year or immerse yourself in another culture by studying for a year at one of our partner universities worldwide.
This is an amazing opportunity to either put everything you’ve learned so far into action in a real workplace in the UK or overseas, or to expand your horizons and set yourself up for your future career by studying abroad.
If you choose a work placement year, we’ll help you find and secure an exciting placement opportunity within an appropriate company or organisation. You’ll have the chance to try out skills and gain experience that’ll help you clarify your next career steps, while building capabilities employers seek.
If you choose to study abroad, you’ll expand your global perspective and develop additional skills to boost your future career, as well as making memories, new friends and career contacts.
This is a Connected Degree
We're the only university that gives you the flexibility to choose when to take a work placement. Take it after your second year, before returning to finish your studies. Or after your final year, connecting you into the workplace.
If you're not sure if or when to take your placement, don't worry. You'll have plenty of time to settle into your studies and explore your options before making your choice.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How you're assessed
The way you’re assessed may depend on the units you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows:
- Year 1 students: 100% by coursework
- Year 2 students: 100% by coursework
- Year 3 students: 5% by exams and 95% by coursework
Your coursework may include:
- essays
- group and individual presentations and projects
- creative assessments, such as storyboards or video
- practical assessments, such as lesson plans and delivery
- exams
- a dissertation
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- group-based activities
- seminars
- tutorials
- individual and group presentations
- projects
- e-learning
- lectures
Teaching staff profiles
Dr Angie Dharmaraj-Savicks
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your BA Hons Childhood and Youth Studies with Criminology degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars and workshops for about 10 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning development tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- Improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- Understanding and using assignment feedback
- Managing your time and workload
- Revision and exam techniques
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Tuition fees
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,250 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £17,200 a year (subject to annual increase)
You won't pay any extra tuition fees to another university for taking part in a study/work abroad activity if you choose to do it for the whole academic year. During a year abroad you'll only have to pay a reduced fee to the 91ÈÕº«AV.
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,250 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £17,200 a year (subject to annual increase)
You won't pay any extra tuition fees to another university for taking part in a study/work abroad activity if you choose to do it for the whole academic year. During a year abroad you'll only have to pay a reduced fee to the 91ÈÕº«AV.
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
You’ll need to cover additional costs, such as travel costs, if you take an optional placement or placement abroad.
These costs will vary depending on the location and duration of the placement, and can range from £50–£1000.
During your placement year or study abroad year, you’ll be eligible for a discounted rate on your tuition fees. Currently, tuition fees for that year are:
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,385 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £1,385 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £2,875 a year (subject to annual increase)
The costs associated with your specific destination will be discussed during your second year, as well as possible sources of additional funding.
Apply now through Clearing
If you have your results, you can apply directly to us now to start in September 2024.
Applying for year 2 or 3
If you've already completed part of this course with us or another university and would like to apply for the second or third year with us in September 2024, .
September 2025 applications
To start this course in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – L5L3
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our .
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the 91ÈÕº«AV, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.
Preparing for this degree
Informative blogs and publications to follow include:
- – one of the most widely accessed resources for teachers, TES includes up-to-date news and resources and free membership for students
- – an excellent resource for prospective and current teachers including up-to-date news from the teaching sector and the latest innovations in education and teaching practices
- – social work is a potential career path for Childhood and Youth Studies graduates and this blog is great for existing and aspiring social workers, giving insight into this area of work
When you start the course, you'll have access to the latest journal articles and research. Useful journals and journal articles you can access for free before you join us include:
- (Bretherton, 1992) – this introduces and explains the basic principles of Attachment Theory, which we'll cover in depth on the course
- (Whitebread, 2012) – a report about child development theories and the importance of play for children
We don't usually recommend referencing videos in your assignments. But they're often a useful way to get an understanding of an idea or concept. Informative Youtube channels to follow include:
- – a leading youth charity gives insight into Youth Work and impacts on young people
- – this channel clearly explains theories of learning and foundational knowledge in this area
- – a charity that helps young people build the self-esteem and skills they need to move into work and stabilise their lives
- – a youth and community development charity