MA CHILDHOOD AND EDUCATION
DEVELOP YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND ENHANCE YOUR CAREER PROSPECTS Thank you for your interest in studying for a postgraduate degree at Leeds Trinity University. Our MA Childhood and Education offers a unique opportunity to broaden your understanding of critical issues relating to childhood and education. If you are keen to continue studying following your undergraduate degree, looking to develop your career working with children in a professional context (such as the children’s workforce, health, education or the police) or want to explore a subject that you are passionate about, the MA Childhood and Education at Leeds Trinity can help you to develop your knowledge and skills and support your career development. You’ll learn from academic experts and current researchers in childhood and education studies who will support you to pursue your chosen areas of interest within the subject. Designed to enable you to complete your postgraduate degree whilst you work, academic sessions and tutorials are delivered on evenings and at weekends. I hope you’ll take the opportunity to join us and look forward to welcoming you to Leeds Trinity. Jeff Potter Programme Co-ordinator for MA Childhood and Education
About Leeds Trinity University A small university with a big reputation, Leeds Trinity University is renowned for teaching excellence and producing highly employable graduates. We’re proud to be known as the University where you’re a name, not a number, thanks to our commitment to ensuring everyone in our community, whatever their faith, feels supported and valued. Leeds Trinity has always been characterised by this sense of community spirit, offering a truly personalised university experience that enables students to flourish. Our reputation for teaching quality and excellence has been developed thanks to a commitment to delivering outstanding teaching, led by research, scholarship and practice. Our teaching staff have extensive professional experience in their fields and many are active researchers, contributing to our increasing reputation for research excellence.
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COURSE OVERVIEW The MA Childhood and Education is suitable for those working or looking to work in associated professions who wish to progress in their careers and for recent graduates in early childhood studies, education studies or another related subject who are looking to deepen their knowledge of key themes relevant to the diverse lives and education of children. Delivered by experienced practitioners and academics, this MA offers excellent preparation for progression in and into professional work with children or for those preparing to undertake additional postgraduate or professional studies. This course aims to develop your critical understanding of a wide range of topics and debates relevant to the lives and education of children. It includes the study of significant research-informed perspectives which underpin both ethical practice and policy relevant to the diverse and complex nature of society. Our MA focuses on several key childhood and education themes within a framework of diversity, culture and identity, which challenges marginalisation and exclusion. You will explore key theoretical perspectives and develop a critical understanding of the effects of social exclusion and a range of cultural, societal, political, historical, philosophical, global and economic factors on diverse childhoods. In addition, you will gain an understanding of both the formal and informal contexts for learning and development within related disciplines and professions − elements that are emphasised throughout the MA programme.
“The Interrogating Diversity module has broadened my understanding of the impact the media has on young children. This module also adds another layer to my own delivery of equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring my students have a more rounded view of the issues surrounding this topic.” Victoria Smith Higher Education tutor MA Childhood and Education
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COURSE STRUCTURE The modules and delivery structure given below are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study. The MA Childhood and Education can be studied on a full or part-time basis. Details of delivery of the full-time MA Childhood and Education studied in one year are given below. For the latest information, including course structure, for studying on a part-time basis over two years, visit leedstrinity.ac.uk
Full-time – one year Term
Module
Contact hours
Term One September December
Introduction to Postgraduate Study of Childhood, Education and Family Support Research Methods for Childhood, Education and Family Support
10 weeks x 3-hour evening sessions. Some additional weekend sessions may be arranged
Interrogating Diversity, Marginalisation and Oppression Term Two January - March Dissertation/Major Study Term Three March - June
Dissertation/Major Study (continued) Option modules: Sociology of Childhood and Education or Critical Debates in Childhood Studies
10 weeks x 3-hour evening sessions, with additional hours for supervision 10 weeks x 3-hour evening sessions. Some additional weekend sessions may be arranged
Core modules Introduction to Postgraduate Study of Childhood, Education and Family Support Alongside those on other MA programmes, you will develop the foundations of Level 7 academic knowledge and skills, critically reflecting across both academic and professional contexts. You will learn about theoretical underpinnings, competing frameworks and approaches, and the implications for ethical and effective practice. Research Methods for Childhood, Education and Family Support You’ll focus on research methods appropriate to the broad and complex field of childhood and education, culminating in the construction of your own fully justified research proposal in preparation for your dissertation or major study. Interrogating Diversity, Marginalisation and Oppression You’ll develop a deep knowledge and understanding of diverse societies and the impact of marginalisation. You will apply critical analysis to modes of oppressive practice within a range of social, cultural and economic situations. Dissertation or Major Study This is your opportunity to work closely with a research-active supervisor, who can help you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of childhood and education theory and practice.
Option modules Sociology of Childhood and Education You will engage with historical, economic and global aspects of childhood and education and consider how sociological theories and perspectives on childhood have changed over time. Critical Debates in Childhood Studies You will develop critical reasoning skills in the context of ethical debates and issues to develop a creative approach to the needs of all children, including minority groups and specific characteristics. 4
LEARNING, TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT This course has a pedagogical approach emphasising active enquiry and collaboration, allowing you to shape and be responsible for your learning. Alongside taught sessions, you’ll be expected to undertake a significant amount of unsupervised study in the form of self-directed activities and directed reading. The programme also emphasises continuous opportunities for self-directed acquisition of knowledge and increasing opportunities to specialise. The teaching on this MA aims to enhance your self-management, teamwork and negotiation skills. As well as greater awareness of the childhood and education sector, you’ll also have the opportunity to develop other skills, such as problem-solving and communication. Throughout your degree, you’ll consider the social, cultural and civic aspects of childhood and education, with an emphasis on ethical practice, social responsibility, diversity and sustainability. We actively promote cross-disciplinary and multi-perspective learning, by encouraging you to engage creatively with other students on the programme. Throughout your studies, you’ll be supported to develop the necessary academic skills to successfully complete the MA. This may include effective study strategies and tactics, how to use critical concepts to explore and deepen knowledge and understanding, and the recognition and use of a range of research perspectives and methodologies as applied to childhood and education.
Assessment You will be assessed using a range of methods such as reflective portfolios, visual artifacts, essays, seminar contributions and presentations; in addition, the option modules offer a unique opportunity to negotiate with tutors how you prefer to present your evidence. The programme includes confidence-building assessment processes which integrates formative, process and summative assessments. This allows you to learn from your progress, from your peers and to respond to feedback to inform your future academic and practical work.
Entry requirements Leeds Trinity University is committed to recruiting students with talent and potential and who we feel will benefit greatly from their academic and non-academic experiences here. We treat every application on its own merits; we value highly the experience you illustrate in your personal statement. Applicants for the MA Childhood and Education should hold a minimum 2:2 classification degree in a relevant area. For further information on our entry requirements, visit our website.
How to apply Applications for the MA Childhood and Education are made online via our website. Please visit leedstrinity.ac.uk/postgraduate for the latest course information, including tuition fees, and to access the online application form. For more information about applying, contact our Admissions team at admissions@leedstrinity.ac.uk or on 0113 283 7123.
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WHY STUDY WITH US? The opportunity to specialise
Receive an alumni discount
You can personalise your studies through the option modules, which will enable you to focus on your own areas of interest or support your career development. You can specialise in the sociological, historical, global and policy aspects of childhood and education, investigating the various influences on children’s lives, or you may choose to explore ethical debates and theoretical perspectives to develop a creative response to the contemporary needs of the younger members of our diverse society.
If you studied your undergraduate degree at Leeds Trinity University, you may be eligible for a discount of up to 50% on the cost of your MA tuition fees. Visit leedstrinity.ac.uk/student-finance to find out more.
Earn while you learn We appreciate that most people will complete the MA alongside a full-time job or other commitments. With this in mind, we’ve designed the course so that it’s delivered on evenings with some occasional weekend attendance, so you’ll be able to attend sessions and tutorials around the other aspects of your life.
Research-informed approach to learning and teaching The course is designed and delivered by active researchers in childhood, society and education to ensure it reflects contemporary and critical issues impacting on the lives of children. Course tutors will work with you to develop your own research practice and academic writing. The sharing of individual professional experience is a key characteristic of our debates and provides a diverse, valuable context to seminars.
Gain recognition for your prior learning or experience If you have existing Level 7 credits or significant relevant experience, you may be able to enter through our Recognition of Prior Learning procedure. If you have studied your PGCE at Leeds Trinity, for example, you will have gained 60 credits which you can use towards your MA. For more information, contact our Admissions team at admissions@leedstrinity.ac.uk
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“This MA has provided me with a deeper insight into the world of education and has broadened my thinking. Leeds Trinity is a fantastic place to further your education, knowledge and qualifications. The tuition you receive from experts in the world of education is excellent.” John Newton MA Childhood and Education
FACILITIES AND SUPPORT We’re proud to be known as the University where you’re a name, not a number thanks to our approach to student support. We’re committed to giving our students a personal university experience. This means that our students can access a wide range of support and facilities, tailored to them, at every stage of their journey. Whether you need academic skills support, help with your health and wellbeing, or you just need someone to talk to, you’ll find that help is available from lots of different places.
One-to-one academic support As soon as you start the MA, you’ll be assigned a personal tutor. They’ll take the time to get to know you and your learning needs throughout your degree, giving you personalised academic support to keep you on track with your studies.
Library and learning resources The library is equipped with everything you need to succeed in your MA. It also has a variety of group, quiet and silent study environments, networked PCs and laptops for loan, and facilities for printing, copying, binding and laminating.
Learning Hub We understand that no two students learn in the same way. That’s why you can access personalised academic and study skills support through our Learning Hub. The team of specialist advisers can offer support with writing, time management, effective note-taking, critical thinking and research and much more.
Student Support services As well as providing plenty of facilities and resources to support your learning, we also want to make sure that you look after your health and wellbeing. We offer a range of Student Support services, from counselling and online self-help, to student finance advice. Whether you have a personal or academic issue, our experienced and dedicated staff are there to listen and help you get the support you need.
“Through studying the MA, I have become a more reflective practitioner. I am more able to acknowledge and understand perspectives from across the educational perspective and merge them with my own beliefs and values. The community feeling at Leeds Trinity is unparalleled and your lecturers genuinely want you to succeed and care about you, academically and personally. You won’t find support and expertise like you get from the staff at Leeds Trinity anywhere else.” Nathan Bland MA Childhood and Education
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Leeds Trinity University Horsforth Leeds, LS18 5HD 0113 283 7150 hello@leedstrinity.ac.uk Information correct at time of publication, October 2022. Please visit leedstrinity.ac.uk/postgraduate to review our latest course information before you make your application. The information in this booklet is available in alternative formats. Please call 0113 283 7150 or email hello@leedstrinity.ac.uk
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