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Key details

Start date(s)
September 2025
Study Mode
Full-time (1 year)
Part-time (2 years)
Location
Main Campus (Horsforth)
School
Children, Young People and Families

Our MA Childhood and Education offers a unique opportunity to broaden your understanding of critical issues relating to childhood and education studies.

The MA Childhood and Education is suitable for those already 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 further postgraduate or professional studies.

The Student Contract

About this course

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.

Why study with us

  • Personalise your studies enabling you to focus on your own areas of interest or support your career development.
  • Continue to work full-time or keep other commitments alongside this programme with evening and occasional weekend attendance.
  • Develop your own research practice and academic writing with our active researchers in childhood, society and education.
  • Gain recognition for your prior learning or experience.
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Course modules

You will study a variety of modules across your programme of study. The module details given below are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

Core modules

You will study the following modules throughout your degree.

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. 
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

You can opt for either an empirical dissertation or a theoretical major study. This is an opportunity to work closely with a research-active supervisor, who can help you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of theory and practice. 

Option modules

You may study the following modules throughout your degree.

Sociology of Childhood and Education

You will compare and critique sociological theories of education and constructions of childhood which have changed over time. You will be encouraged to engage with historical, economic and global aspects of childhood and education; including changing policies and ideologies and the variety of influences on children's current lived experiences. 
Critical Debates in Childhood Studies

You will develop critical reasoning and the ability to synthesise knowledge from a wide range of theoretical perspectives, ethical debates and issues to generate a creative approach to the needs of a varied contemporary arena of childhood, including minority groups and specific characteristics. 

Course structures

September - Full-time
Year Term Module Credits Contact hours
1 Term 1
September - December		 Introduction to Postgraduate Study of Childhood, Education and Family Support 30 10 x 3-hour evening sessions, including tutorial opportunities
Research Methods for Childhood, Education and Family Support 30 10 x 3-hour evening sessions, including tutorial opportunities
Term 2
January - March		 Interrogating Diversity, Marginalisation and Oppression 30 10 x 3-hour evening sessions, including tutorial opportunities
Term 2 and 3
January - June		 Dissertation/Major Study (submission September) 60 10 x 3-hour evening sessions, including tutorial opportunities and additional hours for supervision
Term 3
March - June		 Sociology of Childhood and Education 30 10 x 3-hour evening sessions, including tutorial opportunities
Critical Debates in Childhood Studies 30 10 x 3-hour evening sessions, including tutorial opportunities
September - Part-time
Year Term Module Credits Contact hours
1 Term 1
September - December		 Introduction to Postgraduate Study of Childhood, Education and Family Support 30 10 x 3-hour evening sessions, including tutorial opportunities
Term 2
January - March		 Interrogating Diversity, Marginalisation and Oppression 30 10 x 3-hour evening sessions, including tutorial opportunities
Term 3
March - June		 Sociology of Childhood and Education or Critical Debates in Childhood Studies 30 10 x 3-hour evening sessions, including tutorial opportunities
2 Term 1
September - December		 Research Methods for Childhood, Education and Family Support 30 10 x 3-hour evening sessions, including tutorial opportunities
Term 2 and 3
January - May		 Dissertation/Major Study (submission September) 60 10 x 3-hour evening sessions, including tutorial opportunities

Learning and teaching

You will be assessed using a range of methods such as reflective portfolios, visual artefacts, 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 integrate formative 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.

Learning and teaching

At Leeds Trinity we aim to provide an excellent student experience and provide you with the tools and support to help you achieve your academic, personal and professional potential.

Our Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy delivers excellence by providing the framework for:

  • high quality teaching
  • an engaging and inclusive approach to learning, assessment and achievement
  • a clear structure through which you progress in your academic studies, your personal development and towards professional-level employment or further study.

We have a strong reputation for developing student employability, supporting your development towards graduate employment, with relevant skills embedded throughout your programme of study.

We endeavour to develop curiosity, confidence, courage, ambition and aspiration in all students through the key themes in our Learning and Teaching Strategy:

  • Student Involvement and Engagement
  • Inclusion
  • Integrated Programme and Assessment Experience
  • Digital Literacy and Skills
  • Employability and Enterprise

To help you achieve your potential we emphasise learning as a collaborative process, with a range of student-led and real-world activities. This approach ensures that you fully engage in shaping your own learning, developing your critical thinking and reflective skills so that you can identify your own strengths and weaknesses, and use the extensive learning support system we offer to shape your own development.

We believe the secret to great learning and teaching is simple: it is about creating an inclusive learning experience that allows all students to thrive through:

  • Personalised support
  • Expert lecturers
  • Strong connections with employers
  • An international outlook
  • Understanding how to use tools and technology to support learning and development

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.

The following information is designed to give you a general overview of the qualifications we accept. If you are taking qualifications that are not included below, please contact our Admissions Office who will be happy to advise you.

  • A good BA or BSc degree (usually 2:2 or above) in a relevant area.
  • If needed, you will be asked to complete a pre-course assessment task where formal academic entry requirements are not met.

For more information on meeting English language requirements and academic requirements by country, visit our International Applicant pages.

Please contact us for personalised advice on 0113 283 7123 or at [email protected]

Fees and finance

Funding

UK Home Students:

For information about our tuition fees please visit our Student Fees and Finance pages.

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 tuition fees.

International Students, including EU Students:

Visit our web page for international students.

Leeds Trinity Alumni Discount

Some Leeds Trinity graduates are eligible for a tuition fee discount on postgraduate courses of up to 50%, excluding PGCE Delivery Partner Model and Lead Partner Model, and Masters by Research courses. You will need to achieve a 2:2 or above in a Leeds Trinity undergraduate course to qualify.

Postgraduate course Leeds Trinity Alumni Discount
MA programmes  50% for Leeds Trinity graduates with a 1st class honours degree
MA programmes  35% for Leeds Trinity graduates with a 2:1 honours degree
MA programmes  20% for Leeds Trinity graduates with a 2:2 honours degree

MA Childhood and Education/MA Education/MA Family Support

MA Mental Health in Children and Young People

 20% for Leeds Trinity PGCE graduates if none of the above apply

How to apply

Get in touch

There is no official closing date for applications, but the course will be closed when it is full. We therefore encourage you to make your application as early as possible.

Please ensure you complete the application form in full and supply all the required supporting documentation when you make your initial application. Incomplete applications may be rejected.

If you need advice on your application, please contact our admissions team on 0113 283 7123 (Monday to Thursday, 9.00am to 5.00pm, or Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm) or [email protected]

Home applicants - How to apply

Applicants who require a Student Route Visa

If you require a Student Route Visa in order to study in the UK, then you must apply to us by Friday 18 July 2025.

Part-time study is not available for international students on a Student Route Visa.

For additional information, including academic requirements by country, visit our country and region page.

International applicants - How to apply

What happens next?

Our admissions team will acknowledge receipt of your application by email.

Where applications are submitted but references are still in progress, admissions will wait for the reference(s) to be received and then will process it, and forward it to the relevant Programme Leader within five days of receipt of the reference(s).

The Programme Leader will make a decision based on your application. You may be asked to provide a reference to demonstrate your academic and non-academic experiences, or you may be invited to attend an interview. If you are successful and are made an offer, the conditions will be outlined in your offer letter. 

Applications will be acknowledged within five working days. Applicants will be contacted within 15 working days with a request for additional information, invite to an informal interview or an application decision.

Made an offer?

You should accept or decline your offer by emailing [email protected].

If you accept, you'll need to prove you satisfy the conditions outlined in your offer letter.

You may be asked to present the relevant supporting documentation in person to the student information point on campus, if originals are not needed you’ll be contacted and given details of how to provide the supporting documentation.

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