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Childhood in Society (MA) (2021 Entry)



  • Course Code
  • P-X30F
  • Course Type
  • Postgraduate Taught
  • Qualification
  • MA
  • Duration
  • Full-time: 1 year
  • Part-time: 2 years
  • Location of Study
  • University of Warwick


Are you interested in better understanding childhood and the lives of children? Do you believe that children are well equipped to help us understand? Do you want to make a positive difference? This course aims to enhance your knowledge and skills relating to childhood, globally and locally, so you are well equipped to make that difference.


This course has an interdisciplinary and international perspective, which includes anthropology, education, psychology and social policy. You will engage with debates, analysis and critique of current international and national research-to-policy/practice initiatives, and the sometimes-competing paradigms in research with children and childhood.

You will develop an awareness of key theoretical, empirical and policy oriented studies of children (0-18 years) and childhood. You will gain a familiarity with interdisciplinary perspectives and frameworks in the study of children and childhood and you will be able to demonstrate a critical engagement with debates on key childhood related themes, including children’s rights, multi-agency support for children and the global child. You will also develop an understanding of key issues in academic and public debates in relation to children and become familiar with the diversity of children’s experiences over time and space.


Core Modules

  • Intercultural Approaches to Childhood
  • Foundation Research Methods in Education (available online for part time study)
  • Dissertation

Optional Modules

This programme has a number of optional modules to choose from. At least one optional module should have a childhood focus. Our optional module lists are subject to change each year to keep the student learning experience current and up-to-date. You can find the most up to date list here.


Depending on which term modules run, you'll attend one or two 3-hour seminars each week during the Autumn and Spring Terms of modules plus research methods training lectures and seminars throughout all three terms. If you are a part-time student the number of modules you take each term will depend on the length of your course. You will have two optional modules to select in total. Depending on the modules you select, sessions consist of presentations, group discussions, case studies and self-study. Some modules are available online. Seminar group numbers vary depending on the modules that are selected. Assessment types vary depending on modules selected but may be a mixture of assignments and oral presentations. You’ll also complete a dissertation based on an individual research project, with support from a member of academic staff.

Skills from this degree

  • Develop a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current issues within childhood
  • Explore concepts and issues relating to childhood across a range of country contexts, and understand how childhood intersects with other levels of education
  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of research strategies and techniques appropriate for use with children and childhood research
  • Utilise research originally and critically to interpret and apply knowledge
  • Evaluate existing methodologies within educational research
  • Develop new hypotheses to provide new insights into children’s lived experiences and professional practice relating to childhood contexts.

Minimum requirements 2:ii undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related subject

English language requirementsBand B
(IELTS score to 7 overall, two at 6.0/6.5 & rest 7.0+)

International Students
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications. For more information please visit the international entry requirements page.


For up-to-date information concerning fees, funding and scholarships for Home, EU and Overseas students please visit Warwick's Fees and Funding webpage. Departmental Funding may also be available, check the scholarships that are available at here.

Additional Course Costs

You may wish to undertake some research with children or young people that may require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or a Certificate of Good Conduct for students from outside of the UK. A DBS check costs around £70 and a Certificate of Good Conduct can vary in price.

There may be some theatre trips or visits to schools that will incur a small cost but these are not compulsory.


Graduates from these courses have gone on to work for employers including: Academy 360; Ark Schools; British Council; Department of Education; E-Act; Oxfordshire County Council; PricewaterhouseCoopers and Royal Academy of Engineering. They have pursued roles such as: actors, entertainers and presenters; business, research and administrative professionals; chief executives and senior officials; education advisers and school inspectors; further education teaching professionals and vocational and industrial trainers and instructors.

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

  • Careers in Education
  • Careers with Children and Young People
  • Warwick careers fairs throughout the year

We host bespoke PG visits, where you can talk directly with a member of Education Studies staff and explore our campus through a personalised tour. To find out more about all of these opportunities, visit our Postgraduate Visits page. If you are not in the UK then you are welcome to arrange a phone conversation with the course leader for the programme you are applying for. For this, and to ask any questions you have about your application or studying Education at Warwick, please email educationstudies@warwick.ac.uk