Subject

Childhood studies

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Childhood studies

You appreciate the many challenges children face in modern day society.

You're fascinated by children’s behaviour. You want to make a difference to children’s mental health. At Essex we will lay the foundations for your career working with infants, children and adolescents whether in education, health care or children’s services. The interdisciplinary approach we take combines psychology, sociology and psychoanalysis to create a vibrant, rounded knowledge base.

"This course offers a solid academic understanding of childhood from a range of perspectives.  You gain a placement experience in each year, knowledge of contemporary issues like ADHD, ASD and trauma, and you benefit from our distinct psychosocial and psychodynamic approach giving you real insight into the inner world of the child and the skills you need to work with them. You’ll be taught by lecturers who bring both academic and practical knowledge and experience from years of working with children."
Dr Chris Nicholson  Course Director for Childhood Studies
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Find out more about our Cost of Living support

You want to further your understanding of the multi-faceted nature of children in today's society.

You strive to make a difference to children's experiences in each phase of their childhood. At Essex we will develop your skills working with infants, children and adolescents, whether in education, health care or children's services. Combining psychoanalysis with disciplines such as sociology and psychology ensures your knowledge and understanding is thorough and expansive to nurture your career prospects in working with children.

Why study here?
  • Our unique interdisciplinary approach combines psychosocial, sociological and psychodynamic approaches
  • You’ll be taught by lecturers who bring both academic and practical knowledge from years of working with children
  • Close links with health, education and social care services ensures our courses are highly credible

As a research student at Essex, you work at the heart of our internationally acknowledged and well-connected research community. 

Within Childhood Studies at Essex, we offer supervision into many key areas including: Psychosocial studies of children and childhood; children, parenting, and families; childhood and identity; children, media, and popular culture; child development; trauma; children in/and refugee studies; gender and sexuality; sociologies of childhood and therapeutic communities.

Why study here?
  • Join a supportive and enabling academic environment for graduate studies with excellent training and development opportunities
  • Our unique interdisciplinary approach combines psychosocial, sociological and psychodynamic approaches
  • High quality research and teaching that is grounded in academic research and practical knowledge from years of working with children 
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We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.