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Working with Children & Young People: Social Pedagogy BA (Hons)

Social work and social care

Undergraduate

Support children, young people and their families with a career in social pedagogy. This course gives you the knowledge to take a holistic, inclusive approach to wellbeing, learning and growth.

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Start date

3 years full time

Main location

Kingston Hill

Entry requirements

96-120 UCAS points

Fees and funding

See fees for this course below

UCAS Code

Empower young people and help them thrive

Studying Social Pedagogy at Kingston will give you strong foundations for a career that makes a real difference to young people’s lives.

You’ll learn how to care for, empower and safeguard young people, developing the skills you need for professional opportunities in settings like health, social care, education and youth justice.

Through field trips, workshops and two work placements, you’ll gain practical experience and deepen your understanding of child development, life transitions, ethics and diversity and relationship-based professional practice.

Because this course is endorsed by the Social Pedagogy Professional Association (SPPA), you’ll graduate with the professional title of Social Pedagogy Practitioner.

During the course, you’ll take a combined education and care approach. You’ll emphasise the responsibility of families and society in the upbringing of children, and the importance of young people taking charge of their lives.

You will get familiar with the range of services for children and young people, benefiting from the expertise of lecturers and professionals from many different disciplines.

Social work and social care at Kingston University

Learn how our students are changing lives for the better and building the foundations of their careers with Kingston University's social work and social care courses.

Why choose this course

While you study, you’ll benefit from top quality teaching at Kingston University. We’re ranked Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework, and 97.4% of students thought staff supported their learning (NSS 2025).

We collaborate across Kingston University and with external organisations to solve social care issues. This means you’ll have the chance to try out your learning on real-life problems.

Our expert teaching staff will encourage you to explore different ways of working through innovative workshops. You’ll develop research skills, think creatively and produce exciting ideas to benefit children, young people and their families.

Outside of the University, you’ll spend time applying your learning in real practice environments on placement. Placements will be in settings such as youth justice, early intervention, health services, schools and children's centres. There’s also the option to find your own placement in a field you feel passionate about.

You’ll even have the opportunity to study abroad in one of our European partner universities.

97.4% of students

97.4% of students thought staff supported their learning (NSS 2025).

Endorsement

This course has a Category 2 endorsement from the Social Pedagogy Professional Association (SPPA).

Find out more at https://sppa-uk.org/

Course content

In Year 1 you will learn theories and concepts of human growth, development and life transitions, and gain awareness of ethics and diversity.

Core modules

Social Pedagogy Practice Values and Ethics

This module provides an introduction to developing awareness of issues of diversity, values and ethics, from an intersectional and social pedagogical perspective. There is an emphasis upon participatory learning through class debate, workshop and seminar activities, as well as interaction with a partner organisation who have a social care challenge to present to students in order to encourage their values-based thinking in proposing solutions to this challenge. These experiences are supported by lectures that introduce the main tenets and theories of social pedagogy values and ethics. The module begins by exploring power, inequality and diversity within society, encouraging students to consider their own social location and its different intersections. The initial focus is on the personal. This shifts to exploring personal and professional values and ethics as learning progresses. Students will gradually develop a greater awareness of their values in situations where there are ethical dilemmas to resolve when working with children and young people, and will apply this to a real-world social care challenge in Semester 2.

Working with Children and Young People: Professional Roles and Contexts

This module is designed to introduce students to the roles of different key professionals within the children's and young people's workforce to develop an appreciation of the complexities involved with multi-agency practice. There will be a focus on the importance on building and developing authentic relationships with children, young people, parents, families and carers. It is an interactive module which includes skills workshops and involvement from people with lived experience and representatives from partner agencies. Students learn about the role and tasks of practitioners and develop professional skills in verbal and written communication within a range of children and young people contexts. They have the opportunity to receive formative feedback on their communication skills, and engage in simulated activities in the Practice Learning Suite. Students are required to engage with different professionals and settings, as part of the module in order to apply their communication skills and reflect on the roles of professionals and the services offered to children.

Preparation for Practice with Children and Young People

This module introduces you to a range of tools that will enable you to develop a clearer sense of your personal and professional selves, as preparation for entering the children and young people's workforce. The first semester focuses on understanding the personal self and the differences to the professional self. The second semester focuses on communication and building and developing authentic and reliable relationships with children and young people. You will use creative tools to develop skills in active listening, in speaking and engaging authentically and in developing skills to communicate in a variety of settings with children and young people. Students receive formative feedback on written work and on their communication and engagement skills for children and young people. You are encouraged to undertake relevant extra-curricular opportunities as part of the module in order to further consolidate and apply your learning. This includes volunteering or paid opportunities within the university or wider community.

Children And Young People's Development, Relationships And Social Contexts

The module provides you with an understanding of human growth and development by reviewing theoretical perspectives and research regarding infant, child, adolescent and young people's development across the life course. This module will provide you with an understanding of the concepts of relationships within families, and issues of progression at different stages of life, identity and the life worlds. The module draws on theory and practice from a variety of perspectives including the main schools of thought in psychology and sociology, and explores current issues facing children and young people in today's society.

In Year 2 you will develop an in-depth social pedagogic knowledge, an understanding of children's law and rights, and the importance of safeguarding.

Children and Young People: Rights and Responsibilities

This module will enable students to analyse and reflect on the concept of children and young people's rights and the extent to which they are able to realise these rights. The module will use the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 as a framework to consider the rights of children and young people and the responsibilities of the state in enabling the realisation of these rights. It will focus on different theoretical and practical perspectives which enable rights to be realised and how these perspectives relate to the work of every profession in the children's workforce. The module will also take a comparative approach by considering the realisation of children and young people's rights in an international context.

Social Pedagogy

This module will introduce the principles, theories and approaches of social pedagogy, exploring its relevance and applications in the European as well as UK context. Students will learn how the social pedagogy practitioner uses a range of educational, therapeutic and creative skills and methods in a variety of settings, including care, special educational needs, youth and community work, and social work. There will be a particular focus on the role of social pedagogy practitioners in empowering and giving a voice to children and young people. Students will be encouraged to develop a relationship-based and reflective approach to professional practice.

Practice Experience: Local and International Contexts

This module provides students with the opportunity to gain practical learning experience of working locally and internationally within a range of children and young people contexts. Students will gain an insight into the approaches and practices used within the placement setting. Students will have the opportunity to enhance and develop their knowledge and understanding of pedagogical approaches and work practices in the children and young peoples' workforce. Students will be expected to engage in dialogue with professionals in the setting to inform their learning and critically reflect upon their practice experience and the frameworks that underpin diverse practice. Students will normally be able to select from a range of options for their practice experience. This will include both international and local placements as well as the opportunity for volunteering and experiential visits.

Interprofessional Perspectives: Safeguarding and support for children, young people

This module examines professional and legal responsibilities in terms of safeguarding and support for children and young people. You are encouraged to identify strategies that may impact on interprofessional policies and procedures. You will explore how good communication supports effective practice in working together inter-professionally with children and young people.

Year 3 will inform your future career through further work placement opportunities. You will work in groups designing an idea which will benefit children and young people and will develop a deep understanding of the research, systems and professional practice that impact children's lives.

Practice Experience 2: Planning for your future career

This module enables students to explore opportunities and career pathways in working with children and young people and provides them with further practical experience during a six-week placement. The module aims to provide students with the skills to develop knowledge about specific jobs and career paths for working with children and young people and then the ability to apply these skills to investigate other possible careers. Students are permitted to find their own work experience/ placement should they wish, or a placement will be found for them. This experience will enable them to critically analyse potential career paths in working with children and young people. The module also aims to prepare students for life after university and the taking up of employment.

Developing Creative Approaches to Working with Children and Young People

This final year module allows you to investigate and design a product of potential benefit to children and/or young people. You will firstly identify an area of interest linked to a current issue, concern, gap or dilemma which may be local, national or international. You will then use the knowledge, skills and experience that you have acquired throughout your academic studies and placements to investigate and identify what could be helpful for children or young people. You will be expected to demonstrate child-centred practice, creativity, and problem solving in developing an idea which will be of practical use in working with children and young people in preparation for employment.

Working with Children and Young People: Capstone Project

This final year capstone project allows students to synthesise and apply the knowledge and skills that they have acquired throughout the course by undertaking an in-depth study of a particular area of interest to them personally which is relevant to working with children and young people. In this study, students will demonstrate curiosity and academic rigour, showing critical application of theory and demonstrating their understanding of research and evidence based practice.

Working with Children and Young People in Context: Relationships and Professional Practice

This module explores the centrality of relationships when working with children and young people. It examines current issues and dilemmas facing a range of professionals working with children and young people, including social workers, nurses, teachers and Early Years practitioners. In this module, students will explore different strategies to support children and young people in professional practice, including writing a script of a scene critically analysing professional practice.

Qualifications needed for 2027

BA (Hons): 96-120 UCAS tariff points

The typical requirement for this course is 96-120 UCAS points. You could achieve this with:

A-levels: CCC

BTEC Extended Diploma: Merit Merit Merit

Access to HE course: 96 UCAS points, normally with 18 Distinctions and 9 Merits

Foundation degree: 50% in a related programme

International Baccalaureate: 24 points

FETAC Level 5: Pass in all modules

CACHE Level 3 Diploma: 96 UCAS Points (Grade C)

You’ll also need GCSEs at grade C/4 or above in English and mathematics. We accept equivalent qualifications, such as Functional/Key skills Level 2 in numeracy and literacy.

Qualifications needed for 2026

Additional requirements for Social Pedagogy BA (Hons)

Admission is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check, including checks against the Adult and Child Workforce Barring Lists.

International and English language requirements for Social Pedagogy BA (Hons)

English language requirement for this course: an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all elements.

If you do not meet our English language requirements, you may be eligible for Kingston University's pre-sessional English language course. For more details, check out our English Language Programmes.

Applicants from a recognised majority English-speaking country (MESCs) do not need to meet these requirements.

You will find more information on country-specific entry requirements in our country-specific section.

International students: direct application

Are you an international student? Have you decided Kingston is the place for you? If so, you can apply for this course directly, rather than having to go through UCAS.

Start your direct application now

What career opportunities does this course offer?

Recent Kingston graduates have gone on to roles in education, social care, health, early years and youth services. Possible roles include everything from youth, nursery and family support workers to teaching and social worker assistants – and more.

This course is also a great route into further study at postgraduate level. Previous graduates have gone on to study Kingston University’s Master of Social Work, MSc Nursing and PGCE Primary Teaching courses.

Our Future Skills programme is embedded within all our undergraduate courses and throughout the whole Kingston experience. These skills will help you to become a future-proof graduate by equipping you with the skills most valued by employers, such as problem-solving, digital competency and adaptability.

As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills. You’ll also understand how to demonstrate and articulate to employers how these future skills give you the edge.

Future Skills page

Teaching and assessment

Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars and small group tutorials. It may also include placements, project work, practical sessions, workshops, conferences and field trips.

Guided independent study (self-managed time)

Outside the scheduled learning and teaching hours, you will learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, preparing for and completing your work for assessments. Some independent study work may need to be completed on-campus, as you may need to access campus-based facilities such as studios and labs.

Academic support

Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.

Dedicated personal tutor

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, support you throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University.

Your workload

A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.

One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 120 credits across a year (typical for an undergraduate course) would equate to 1,200 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below for each year of study. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.

Year 1: 26% scheduled learning and teaching

Year 2: 29% scheduled learning and teaching

Year 3: 34% scheduled learning and teaching

The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.

Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.

How you will be assessed

Types of assessment

Year 1: Coursework 75%; practical exam 25%

Year 2: Coursework 80%; practice experience 20%

Year 3: Coursework 80%; practice experience 20%

Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback to you on your assessments within 20 working days.

Your timetable

Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Fee category

Annual Fee

Home (UK students)

International

Year 1 (2027/28):

Year 2 (2028/29):

Year 3 (2029/30):

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student.

Please visit the Fees and Funding page for more information.

For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.

*For full-time programmes lasting more than one academic year, a tuition fee is payable for each academic year of the course.

Your annual tuition fee covers your first attempt at all modules required for that academic year. Any re-study or repeat of modules will incur additional charges, calculated according to the number of credits taken.

Home students (UK): Tuition fees are subject to inflation-linked increases in line with government policy. Updated fees will be confirmed in line with the maximum fee cap set by the Government or the Office for Students (OfS) for each academic year. This means your fee may increase for each academic year of study, but only up to the maximum amount permitted for that year.

Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

International students: Full-time taught international student fees are subject to an annual increase, which is published in advance for the full duration of your programme.

Year 1 (2026/27):

Year 2 (2027/28):

Year 3 (2028/29):

Year 1 (2025/26):

Year 2 (2026/27):

Year 3 (2027/28):

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2025/26 the fees for this course are above.

*For full-time programmes lasting more than one academic year, a tuition fee is payable for each academic year of the course. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

Additional course costs

Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.

Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.

Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:

Technology and textbooks

Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Printing and binding

While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.

Field trips and materials

Kingston University will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.

Travel and commuting

Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.

Placements

You will need to pay for your travel to and from school placements. Costs can vary depending on the location and mode of transport.

DBS check

The University will pay for your application to be processed, but you’ll need to subscribe to the Update Service for £16 per year. This allows universities and potential employers to view any changes to your DBS.

Scholarships and bursaries

For students interested in studying this course at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support.

Course changes and regulations

The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes

Specifications for this course are published ahead of each academic year.

Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.

Who teaches this course

Dr Amit Puni

Senior Lecturer in Department of Social Care and Social Work

I am proud to be a Senior Lecturer at Kingston University, where I teach across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral...

Aga M. Buckley

Master of Social Work (MSW) Course Leader

I am a Master of Social Work Course Leader and Postgraduate Researcher exploring the lived experiences of compassion...

Yvalia Febrer

Associate Professor, Social Work

I am an Associate Professor of Social Work, and the Teaching & Learning Lead for Social Work and Social Care. I am also...

Mr Kelly Gittens

Senior Lecturer

I am a registered social worker with over 20 years of experience. I previously practiced social work in the Caribbean...

Ms Jacqueline Harry

Senior Lecturer, Course Leader for Social Work PgDip Apprenticeship

Since qualifying as a social worker in 1998, I have occupied social work roles in mental health, child protection and...

Ms Nicola Ryan

Senior Lecturer Mental Health Nursing

I have been teaching at Kingston University for the past 8 years as a senior lecturer in mental health nursing...

Key information

The scrolling banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).

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