Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To enable students to gain a rich understanding of children and young people’s lives across the globe and related social policy debates 

• To develop students’ ability to critically analyse current advanced research on children, young people and families with reference to relevant theories and concepts in human geography and the social sciences 

• To advance students’ skills in a comprehensive range of research methods, including those relevant to the investigation of children and young people’s lives 

• To enhance students’ employability in diverse professional environments and/or increase their competitiveness for PhD studentships

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• UK Quality Code for Higher Education, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards, especially: 

• The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies, QAA, October 2014
• Master’s Degree Characteristics Statement, QAA, September 2015
• Higher Education Credit Framework for England, QAA, August 2008 

• UK Quality Code for Higher Education, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, Part B: Assuring and Enhancing Academic Quality, especially:
  • Chapter B1: Programme Design, Development and Approval
  • Chapter B3: Learning and Teaching
  • Chapter B4: Enabling Student Development and Achievement
  • Chapter B6: Assessment of Students and the Recognition of Prior Learning 

• Subject Benchmark Statement for Geography, QAA, December 2014
• Subject Benchmark Statement for Social Policy, QAA, February 2016

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of…

K1        The key concepts and theorisations of childhood and youth across the social sciences

K2        The diverse spaces of children, young people and families’ everyday lives in the Global North and Global South

K3        The range of research methods available to collect and analyse data on children and young people’s lives, especially those attentive to young people’s ‘voice’

K4        The role of social policy and social policy research in shaping wider policy processes and professional practice

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

C1        Critically evaluate key concepts and theorisations of childhood and youth. 

C2        Critically examine the contested socio-spatial relationships that shape children, young people and families’ everyday lives across the globe, and examine inequalities in the lives of children, young people and families

C3        Assess the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative methods in researching themes related to childhood, youth and/or families 

C4        Critically reflect on their independent research and its implications for wider social policy

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

P1        Formulate research questions and implement strategies to conduct an independent research project 

P2        Use appropriate methods for the collection and analysis of data.

P3        Apply relevant concepts and theories in the interpretation of empirical evidence 

P4        Observe appropriate risk assessment and ethical guidelines involved in undertaking independent research projects, including considerations of research related to themes of childhood, youth and/or families 

P5        Employ an awareness of the diverse strategies for communicating research findings to academic and non-academic audiences

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

T1        Critically evaluate information and data from a wide range of sources 

T2        Communicate clearly and effectively in written and oral form. 

T3        Manage personal learning efficiently and effectively. 

T4        Design and conduct original independent research. 

T5        Develop quantitative and qualitative research skills. 

T6        Demonstrate collaborative working and leadership skills.

4. Programme structure

FULL TIME (1 year programme)

4.1       Semester 1

COMPULSORY MODULES

  4.2      Semester 2 

COMPULSORY MODULES

4.3          Semester 3 (Summer)

PART TIME (2 year programme – 90 credits per year) 

Year One

4.4       Semester 1

COMPULSORY MODULES

  4.5       Semester 2 

COMPULSORY MODULES

Year Two

4.6     Semester 1

COMPULSORY MODULE

4.7      Semester 2 

COMPULSORY MODULE 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI. 

With the exclusion of module GYP700 (Dissertation in Childhood, Youth and Social Policy), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment to undergo re-assessment in the University’s Special Assessment Period (SAP).

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

N/A