Ready to take the next step towards providing children with a healthy start in life? Our unique BA (Hons) Childhood: Health and Wellbeing degree will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to help you achieve your goals. Focusing on childhood from conception to 14 years, this degree is for those planning a rewarding future in a variety of areas including education, social care and health care.

You’ll develop a solid understanding of the role of health and wellbeing in childhood in the contexts of both physical and mental health within families. In addition to studying the core themes, you’ll focus on modules related to health and wellbeing.

Give real-life context to your studies and become even more attractive to future employers with our enhanced placement opportunities. You’ll be well prepared for the world of work with our extensive network of 600 partnerships in a wide range of settings. There’s even the opportunity to take your placement overseas.

This degree course does not provide a Level 3 childcare qualification, which is required for working in early childhood settings and being counted in staff-to-child ratios.

Placement and work-like experiences

through over 600 partnerships with local schools, colleges and organisations.

Take your placement overseas.

Opportunities include teaching in Sri Lanka to working with young children in a Ghanian orphanages.

Interdisciplinary course

ideal for students from a range of different backgrounds looking to pursue a career in a range of sectors.

Guaranteed interview

for a PGCE Primary teacher training course at NTU on completing your undergraduate degree (terms and conditions apply).

Giving children a healthy start in life is crucial to their future health and wellbeing - and that’s what makes this course so engaging. You will gain a broad view of childhood and child development with an emphasis on achieving healthy lifestyles for both physical and mental health. Alongside this, you will develop a critical awareness of current issues and concerns regarding healthy childhoods. This will support you to work within the health professions as well as those seeking careers within the child wellbeing sector.

This degree will draw on contemporary and classic research and theory related to supporting children, young people and their families to achieve healthy lifestyles and will equip students with the knowledge and skills to move into the workplace or to post-graduate specialised study for the health professions.

The broad range of modules available within this course gives opportunities for you to develop both personally as a learner and professionally by incorporating the world of work and global perspectives into your studies. Key transferable skills are embedded in the modules and are reinforced whilst working alongside experienced practitioners.

Placement

You will have the opportunity to undertake a placement in Year One and Year Two. Placements can be in a wide range of educational settings, locally, regionally, nationally or even internationally. Placement options include working with disadvantaged children at a local authority provision; educational and support provision in a hospital context; supporting the provision of activities for children / young people with a range of disabilities and additional needs at a local charity or experiencing an outdoor Kindergarten in Denmark.

Putting your studies into practice helps you to understand your subject and its application in real-life. Placement opportunities support you both professionally and personally by ensuring you develop the key skills that will make you more employable at the end of your studies.

In the UK for Childhood and Youth Studies in Complete University Guide 2027

Module information

A standard full-time BA (Hons) course is made up of 120 credits studied each year. Some courses may vary, however, and you can find information on the total number of credits achieved per module below.

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll be studying throughout the

Year OneYear TwoFinal Year

ModulesExpand all +

Academic and Professional Focus

This module supports you in your transition into Higher Education and in understanding what is expected at this level of study and beyond.

You'll be provided with the essential skills needed to be successful in your academic journey and introduced to a range of professionals within the university that will support you in your studies.

20 credits

Environments for Learning

This module considers how a range of environments support aspects of children's learning and development.

A placement opportunity in a choice of mainstream educational contexts such as nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools will then allow you to apply your learning in this module, where you will observe and engage in current practice.

You'll make connections between how children learn and develop, as well as the curricula and educational provision that can support this.

You'll also gain an awareness of the theoretical models and practice pioneers which influence current practice in education and other wider learning environments.

40 credits

Understanding Children’s Holistic Development

This module explores the diverse ways in which children develop holistically (from conception to 14 years), as well as the range of biological factors and wider influences that effect this process.

You'll build knowledge of theoretical and philosophical perspectives, as well as strategies and approaches that support our understanding of the ways in which development can be positively promoted by parents and practitioners.

Contemporary Childhoods

This module examines children's rights in both national and global contexts, with a focus on interprofessional discourses and different educational and sociological perspectives to support your personal and professional learning and development.

Issues around the rights of the child and how professionals can respect and promote those rights will form key elements within this module.

Health Determinants in Childhood

This module will enable you to recognise how aspects of childhood experience can impact on a child's health outcomes in the short-, medium- and long-term.

You will explore a wide range of issues that can affect a child's physical and mental health including those that relate to their environment and home life.

Key elements of the module enable you to fully investigate the wide-ranging impact of childhood experience.

Enabling Environments for Children and Communities

This module explores a range of environments and services that support children, families and the wider communities they live within.

You'll develop criticality when examining the social influences impacting on the lived experience of children, young people and families with a range of different support needs.

You'll gain an understanding of the wider context for children and families during a community-based placement, either locally, nationally or internationally. Examples of placements may include community play therapy, charities for child refugees, teaching English in Bali or supporting children with Special Educational Needs in a Romanian school.

Researching Contemporary Childhoods

Through this module, you'll gain understanding of and apply research methodology and ethical considerations by designing an ethical small-scale study.

You'll compile a literature review and undertake a pilot study in small groups.

The module enables you to prepare for your independent research dissertation in your final year by giving you a starting point in understanding the range of terminology and processes related to research.

Social Constructions of Childhood

This module explores how the concept of childhood is socially constructed by the times and places in which children live and with the individuals involved in shaping their experience.

You'll be able to examine some key themes, in the socio-cultural context of children's learning and development in relation to historical, legal and social perspectives using different types of evidence and materials.

Global Childhoods

Is childhood universally experienced around the Globe? The module examines this concept, exploring children's lived experiences across a range of international contexts.

You'll develop an understanding of various educational approaches and practices, and the factors and theories which influence decisions made about policy and provision for children and young people.

You'll reflect on the similarities and differences between the UK and other countries, evaluating the reasons for differences.

Nutrition in Childhood

This module supports you in understanding the role of nutrition as a health determinant that affects all childhoods.

You'll explore balanced diets, food hygiene and issues of malnutrition such as dietary deficiency and over nutrition.

You'll study the importance of nutrition in childhood as a health determinant that can have physical and mental health impacts across the course of life.

Supporting Healthy Lifestyles

This module covers the holistic development of children 0-14 through the lens of health determinants and measures of wellbeing.

You'll explore the role of health promotion to support healthy childhoods.

You'll plan health promotional activities to promote healthy lifestyles and well-being for children and families.

Research Dissertation

As part of this module, you'll design and carry out a research dissertation project or literature review in relation to children's learning and development.

You'll acquire and link theory and practice to support your development as an informed educational researcher and reflective practitioner.

Leaderful Practice

This module investigates aspects and issues for leadership in a context which interests you.

You'll learn about the theories and principles of leadership and engage in individual reading, research and planning in a chosen context in the childhood sector.

Sustainable Childhoods

This module identifies what is meant by the term 'sustainable childhoods' and consider a range of underpinning theoretical models and viewpoints.

You'll be encouraged to adopt global contemporary perspectives in relation to global childhoods and will employ theory and practice concepts to better understand this.

You'll be encouraged to reflect on global initiatives and professional practices within the context of sustainability.

Children’s Emotional and Social Wellbeing

This module explores the holistic development of children's emotional and social wellbeing through theories, research and relevant policies and initiatives.

You'll study the importance of childhood experiences to ongoing emotional and social wellbeing and mental health. External influences will be explored that consider how health determinants overlap and cannot be considered in isolation of other factors.

The module will support a critical understanding of support available to children and their families to support their emotional and social wellbeing.

Media, Childhood and Health

This module looks at the role of media and digital influences on childhood through theories, research and relevant policies and initiatives.

You'll gain an understanding of the influence of media in childhood related to short-, medium- and long-term health.

External influences will be explored that consider how other health determinants overlap and that media use cannot be considered in isolation of other factors. The module will support a critical understanding of support available to children and their families in their use of digital platforms.

We regularly review our course content based on student and employer feedback to ensure they remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or availability in future years. Optional modules will only run where there is sufficient demand. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis to protect the academic and student experience.

Video Gallery

How you're taught

We've introduced flexible and innovative ways of learning and teaching to develop your study skills and understanding of theory and practice. Methods include:

lectures

seminar discussions

independent study

practical work

project work

workshops

placements and work-like experiences.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment will be on your coursework and there are no formal exams during the course. Academic support and guidance are provided through our tutor support structure. Regular tutor feedback is given on your work in order to help you improve, develop your skills and begin to plan for your future career.

How you're assessed

Year 1 coursework

Year 2 coursework

Year 3 coursework

Contact hours

You will have around 10-12 hours per week of contact time (lectures, seminars and workshops) with our teaching staff which is around 30% of a full-time week. Approximately 90% of our teaching is in-person. The remaining 70% of your time will be devoted to independent study.

Who will teach you?

Aaron Bradbury

Principal Lecturer

Dr. Aaron Bradbury is Principal Lecturer for Early Childhood Studies, Childhood, Early Years Apprenticeships and Higher Technical Qualifications in Early Years. He is a researcher on Early Childhood workforce, early years education, play and school readiness

Visit Aaron Bradbury's staff profile

Helen Cazaly Taylor

Senior Lecturer

Helen Cazaly Taylor is Senior Lecturer in Education delivering across the Childhood degree programmes at Nottingham Institute of Education, Children and Youth at NTU.

Visit Helen Cazaly Taylor's staff profile

Kerry-Ann Rawson

Kerry-Ann Rawson is the Course Leader for the BA (Hons) Childhood suite of degrees at the Nottingham Institute of Education, Children and Youth, Nottingham Trent University.

Visit Kerry-Ann Rawson's staff profile

Sarah Ratcliffe

Sarah Ratcliffe is a Senior Lecturer within the Nottingham Institute of Education, Children and Youth, teaching on the suite of Childhood Degrees.

Visit Sarah Ratcliffe's staff profile

Stella Smith

Stella Smith is a Senior Lecturer and the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for the Nottingham Institute of Education, Children and Youth, Nottingham Trent University.

Visit Stella Smith's staff profile

Entry requirements

UK students

Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications.

Contextual offer: 104 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications.

To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.

Additional requirements

Additional requirements for UK students

An Enhanced with Barred List(s) DBS check and a satisfactory placement suitability check.

Contextual offers

We consider every application in the context of your individual circumstances and educational background. This may include information about where you live, the school or college you attended, or experiences that may have shaped your educational journey. This is known as a contextual offer, and we use information provided through UCAS to help inform our decisions. By considering achievement in context, we can better recognise academic potential and ensure applicants are assessed as fairly and fully as possible.

Meeting our entry requirements

Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.

Other qualifications and experience

NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.

We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.

Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.

International students

Academic entry requirements: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four A levels. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.

English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.

Additional international requirements

Additional requirements for international students

If you need help achieving the academic entry requirements, we offer a Foundation preparation course for this degree. The course is offered through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC) based on our City Campus.

English language requirements

View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.

If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.

If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.

You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.

Sign up for emails

Sign up to receive regular emails from the International Office. You'll hear about our news, scholarships and any upcoming events in your country with our expert regional teams.

If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.

Policies

We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.

Fees and funding

UK students - see the fees for this course, as well as information about funding and support.

£10,050 per year

Find out about the extra support we may be able to provide to help pay for uni, including NTU bursaries and scholarships.

You will need to pay tuition fees for each year that you are at university. The tuition fees, including the placement year and study abroad options are subject to government policy and may change in future years of study.

Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but we don’t want you to feel anxious or confused about it. Visit our fees and funding pages if you have any concerns.

International students - see the fees for this course, as well as payment advice and scholarships.

£18,400 per year

You will need to pay tuition fees for each year that you are at university. The tuition fees might increase from the second year of your undergraduate course, in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.

Scholarships

We offer international scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for a scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.

Living costs

See our advice on managing your money and the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham.

Paying fees

As an international student, you'll need to make an advance payment as part of your offer conditions. You'll then need to pay your tuition fees in full, or have an agreement to pay in two further instalments, in order to enrol on the course.

Find out how and when to pay your fees, including information about your advance payment, instalment dates and how to make payments securely to the University.

Enquiries

If you have any queries relating to advance payments or arrangements to pay, please contact our friendly and experienced international enquiries team.

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are just a few additional things you may need to budget for:

Textbooks and library books

Your modules will point you to key textbooks and recommended reading. Many are available online, and in our libraries, but some students choose to buy their own copies. You’ll receive resource lists showing where to access eBooks, digital resources and physical copies. Our friendly Library team is always on hand to help you find what you need.

Printing and photocopying costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the printing and photocopying information on the Library website.

Field trips

All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.

Placements

If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.

Fees and funding advice

For more advice and guidance, phone the Student Money Team on +44 (0)115 848 2494.

Cost of living information and support

Managing your money can help you make the most of life at NTU. Here's how we can support you, and now you can make your funding go further.

Cost of living in Nottingham

Our student benefits and free services

Money advice for international students

Careers and employability

Your career development

What skills will I develop?

A Childhood: Health and Wellbeing degree will enable you to develop a solid understanding of the role of health and wellbeing in childhood in the contexts of both physical and mental health within families.

You will develop key transferable skills, including:

written communication developed through writing essays

oral communication skills gained through reasoned debates during seminars and presentations

the ability to work as part of a team, though collaborative group work

research and analytical skills with the ability to judge and evaluate information

organisational and time management skills by prioritising tasks to ensure academic, social and work commitments are completed on time

negotiation, informally with peers and formally with staff

problem solving

critical thinking skills

digital skills.

How can I boost my career prospects?

Childhood: Health and Wellbeing graduates that go on to further study tend to take courses that lead to professional status. The most popular option is the postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE), as many graduates go on to work as primary school, early years or special needs teachers, as well as further or higher education lecturers. Other popular professional courses include nursing and postgraduate courses in social work. Employers are often supportive of further study and may support employees by providing funding or time off to complete coursework.

Your future career

A Childhood: Health and Wellbeing degree is an excellent foundation for careers working with children and young people in many sectors including health, education and social care.

Typical employers

Childhood: Health and Wellbeing graduates enter employment in a variety of sectors with a range of employers including local authorities, local and national charities, state and independent schools, nurseries, health authorities and within the community.

Children's Centres and the National Health Service (NHS) also employ graduates from Childhood: Health and Wellbeing degrees.

Links with industry

We involve industry experts in our courses in a number of ways.

We consult with employers when we design and update our courses.

We ensure you are prepared to meet the demands of the workplace by continually checking the currency and validity of our courses with employers.

You will have the opportunity to have a work placement (if not already in paid or voluntary employment).

Employers may input directly into your course through guest lectures, projects, and other work-related activities.

Enrichment opportunities

In order to enhance your skills and knowledge, you will also be able to experience a range of enrichment opportunities on the course such as training and Continuing Professional Development (e.g. paediatric first aid and Makaton) which will be attractive to future employers as you look for graduate roles.

Learn a new language

Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have.

Learning a new language can:

enhance your communication skills

enrich your experience when travelling abroad

boost your career prospects.

Find out more about the University Language Programme.

Guaranteed interview scheme: teacher-training

One of the benefits of the course is the broad knowledge and experience you will gain. This experience may lead you to consider teaching, even if you have not considered this as a career before.

If you complete your degree, you are guaranteed an interview for a PGCE Primary teacher-training course at NTU during your third undergraduate year (subject to places being available).

Terms and conditions apply:

Applications will be withdrawn and not be progressed to interview stage once all places are filled on relevant courses

Interviews are subject to you meeting the essential entry criteria for the PGCE course at the time of application, such as GCSE requirements, degree grade

An interview does not guarantee an offer to study on the course.

Employability Promise

Personalised support, one-on-one coaching and industry-specific advice – it’s all part of our Employability Promise. And it doesn’t end when you leave NTU – you’ll have access to all our careers services for three years after you graduate (conditions apply).

Our graduates are…

Graduates from this course now work in a wide range of roles such as:

Family support workers

Learning mentors

Teaching assistances

Youth workers

Early help advisors

Leaders and managers of services and provision for children

Youth mental health workers

Assessed work-like experience

We’ve embedded at least eight weeks of assessed work-like experience into all of our courses. This gives you the opportunity to apply your learning in real-world scenarios, build your confidence, and develop the experience employers are looking for.

NTU Enterprise

If you’re a budding entrepreneur, NTU Student Enterprise can help you to develop your ideas and innovations and turn them into a reality. We also offer training, mentoring, workshops, financial advice and more to develop your business skills.

Campus and facilities

You’ll mainly be studying in the Ada Byron King building, home to the Nottingham Institute of Education, Children and Youth.

Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep our students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your coursemates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!

You’re also right next to the bright lights of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. All through termtime, a dedicated on-campus bus service will get you to the heart of the action (and back) in under 25 minutes. You’ll find a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.

Applying

Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.

Apply through UCAS

You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.

Please read our application guidance before you start your application.

We advise you to prepare and apply as early as you can as Student visa processing time can vary.

We'll send you important emails throughout the application process. Please check your emails regularly, including your junk/spam mail folder.

Apply through NTU portal

Personal statement guidance

You’ll submit a personal statement with your UCAS application – here are our tips on what to include and how to structure your personal statement.

Application support

If you have any questions about applying, get in touch through our online form or call us on 44 (0)115 848 4200.

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