Childhood Youth & Communities Foundation Degree, BA

​​Our Welcome Saturday on 12 September is an important part of starting university and provides you with the opportunity to settle into the course, explore university systems, meet your lecturers and peers, and gain an understanding of what to expect from higher education study.

Attendance is strongly encouraged, as the sessions are designed to help you feel confident and prepared before teaching begins.

​During the Welcome Saturday, you will receive information about your timetable, assessments, university support services, and online learning platforms. You will also have opportunities to ask questions and begin building relationships with your cohort.

​As part of the course, you will be allocated a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT). Your PAT is there to support you throughout your studies, helping you to develop academically and signposting you to additional support where needed.

Many of our students balance study alongside work and family commitments, so we understand the importance of providing guidance and encouragement throughout your university journey.​

In your first year, you will study a range of modules that introduce you to childhood, youth, communities, and professional practice, while also helping you develop the academic skills needed for higher education study.

During Semester 1, you will study:

• Introduction to Childhood, Youth & Academic Practices

• Theories of Development in Children and Young People

During Semester 2, you will study:

• Working with Children, Youth and Families: Introduction to Community Practice

• Communication, Language and Dialogue

Teaching

Teaching on the course is designed to support students who are already working, volunteering, or interested in working within childhood, youth, family, and community settings.

Sessions are typically delivered one evening per week on campus and will include a mixture of lectures, seminars, group discussions, interactive workshops, and practical activities.

You will also engage in independent study and work-based or community-focused learning activities linked to professional practice.

In the first few weeks of teaching, there will be a strong focus on helping you transition into higher education study.

Sessions will introduce key academic skills such as reading academic literature, referencing, reflective writing, critical thinking, and using university systems effectively.

You will also begin exploring key concepts relating to child development, communities, relationships, communication, and professional practice.

Blackboard

Throughout the course, you will use Blackboard, the university’s online learning platform, to access module materials, assignment information, announcements, readings, and submission links. Other online platforms may also be used to support collaborative learning and communication.

Course Padlet

Before starting the course, it is important that you engage with the course Padlet and complete any introductory activities provided. This will help familiarise you with the course structure, expectations, and key themes you will encounter during your studies.

Please access the Padlet for course information https://padlet.com/cccu/foundation-degree-childhood-studies-generic-and-special-educ-t4opntznclb6rg97

It may also be useful to explore resources available through the Learning Skills Hub

We encourage students to begin thinking about how their professional experiences connect to the themes explored on the course, as this programme strongly values the integration of theory and practice.

​​The following texts will be useful for your course:

​​Aubrey, K and Riley, A. (2022) Understanding and Using Educational
Theories. 3rd Ed. London: SAGE.

​Children and Families Act 2014, c. 6. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/6/contents

​Keyhily, M. (2015) An Introduction to Childhood Studies. 3rd Ed. Maidenhead:
Open University Press.