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Children's Studies

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Entry Points (2017)
348

Course Overview

The BA (Children's Studies) is an interdisciplinary degree designed to equip students with a theoretical and practical understanding of the lives of children and youth today. This four-year degree draws on expertise from a wide range of areas including the creative arts, literature, law, health, human rights, history, sociology and psychology, and incorporates the optional study of one modern language. Community-based service-learning and enquiry-based learning are embedded across the degree and the third year placement combines valuable practical experience with specific career-orientated goals.

Applications and Selections

Who Teaches this Course

Dr. Lindsay Myers, BA, MA, PhD

Dr. Michal Molcho, BA, MA, PhD

Dr. Kate Harvey, BA, PhD

Requirements and Assessment

Students are assessed in a variety of ways which include formal examinations, essays, independent projects, reflective journals, research reviews, placements and service learning journals.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 Grades in the Leaving Certificate including Irish, English, another language, and three other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

Additional Requirements

Students must satisfy the Garda/police vetting requirements.
Duration

4 years

Next start date

September 2018

A Level Grades (2017)

Average intake

40

Closing Date

Next start date

September 2018

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

240

Award

BA

CAO

GY121

PAC code

Course Outline

Year 1: Introduction to Children's Studies

The first year focuses on providing the foundations of the programme and builds core study skills, by introducing students to essay writing, discipline-specific research skills, service-learning and guided enquiry-based learning.

 Year 2: Children in the Irish Context

The second year focuses on the position of children and young adults in Ireland from historical, cultural, legal and societal aspects. It builds on the study skills acquired in the first year, and introduces students to the concepts of child-centred research.

 Year 3: Children in Global Context

The third year focuses on developing comparative views of children and young people across nations.  It provides an opportunity for students to have real-life work placements in the national and international community and it includes an optional international exchange.

 Year 4: Contemporary Issues in Children's Lives

Year four concentrates on current issues in the lives of children and adolescents. It is centred on cutting-edge topics and phenomena, and it includes a guided research project designed to enable students to develop the knowledge gained in the previous three years.

 International Links

Students who take a foreign language as part of their BA(Children’s Studies) will have the option to study for a semester at a European University under the ERASMUS exchange programme and/or carry out their second semester work placement abroad. A limited number of international exchange opportunities (consideration for which is based on grade averages) are also available to students not studying a foreign language.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

The BA (Children’s Studies) provides students with the knowledge, confidence and transferrable skills to identify their preferred career path as well as to succeed in their chosen field nationally or internationally. Graduates will be well-placed to pursue careers in primary school teaching (this requires the addition of a Professional Master of Education), social care sectors and community development work as well as to gain entry to postgraduate degrees in play therapy, social work, health promotion, children’s librarianship, museum work, arts administration, special-needs teaching, public advocacy and activism. Over the years, 88% of the graduates from the BA CONNECT are in further education or in employment.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

 

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€5,822 p.a. 2017/18

Fees: Tuition

€2,598 p.a. 2017/18

Fees: Student Contribution

€3,000 p.a. 2017/18

Fees: Student levy

€224 p.a. 2017/18

Fees: Non EU

€12,750 p.a. 2017/18
EU Fees 2017/18:
- Tuition: may be paid by the Irish Government on your behalf if you qualify for free tuition fees see - free fee initiative.
- Student Contribution: €3,000 - payable by all students but may by paid by SUSI if you apply and are deemed eligible for a means tested SUSI grant.
- Student Levy:  €224 - payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI.

Find out More

Dr Lindsay Myers
Programme Director
College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies

T: +353 91 492 396
E: lindsay.myers@nuigalway.ie

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