Master of Arts in Childhood Studies and Early Years

at Leeds Beckett University - City Campus United Kingdom

This is the only course in the UK to offer a combination of transpersonal, psychoanalytic and critical approaches to psychology. You will explore ways of understanding the self as an open, evolving project that develops through interaction. This reflects developments at the leading edge of psychology, drawing upon insights from the history of human exploration of the self.

On this largely theoretical course, you will explore the relationship between psychology and cultural studies, philosophy, theology and social science. You will develop your understanding of different research methods and explore the use of language and the construction of meaning in real-world situations.

Whether you are working as a counsellor, a social worker, a psychologist or in another related profession, you will gain a unique perspective on mind, self and society. Alternatively, you may simply have a personal interest and want to explore this fascinating subject and its insights into what makes us human.

Combine business knowledge and your managerial skill set with financial expertise to help give you an advantage when you enter the competitive financial services industry.

As part of your course you’ll:

• Complete finance modules that count towards accreditation with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
• Put what you've learned into practice by taking part in a live business consultancy project where you can work with established businesses, charities and third sector organisations
• Develop skills and experience that will make you more attractive to future employers

If you take a paid work placement in your third year, you’ll develop and enhance your employability skills.

As well as having the option to gain experience on a placement, you’ll take part in workshops and work on a consultancy project within a start-up business.

Our guest lecture series will help give you access to the enterprise expertise present in Leeds, the northern powerhouse of the region's businesses and economy. Past speakers include the CEO of the London Stock Exchange, the Chief Executive of the British Bankers Association and the Chief Economist of Yorkshire Bank.

We will provide you with an advanced and challenging study of the main management disciplines of finance, marketing, supply chain and human resources. You will apply modern business and management techniques to an organisation's problems in the context of the wider business world and global community.

This is your opportunity to improve your personal and interpersonal competencies, intellectual skills and self-motivation through problem-solving, mutual support, participative personal development planning and reflective learning.

This course provides an opportunity for graduates with a non-business degree background to gain knowledge of management principles and practice. It is also recommended if you are a graduate with a business or management degree seeking to achieve a management-based masters.

As part of this course, you’ll:

• Learn how to perform effectively as a people management practitioner across a range of business diverse environments and sectors
• Develop knowledge and understanding of strategic people management, managerial and business practices
• Critically evaluate and apply theory and techniques to a range of complex issues, problems, and situations
• Gain a strategic perspective on people management practice in external and internal business contexts
• Practise making ethical and informed quantitative and qualitative professional judgements
• Develop creativity and transferable skills to use in organisational and professional settings with awareness of inclusivity, sensitivity to equality, diversity, and culture

Develop the skills you will need to work in the expanding and diverse modern professional audio and music industries.

As part of your course you’ll:

• Explore the technologies and techniques used in the recording, production and reproduction of sound and music
• Fuel your creativity while expanding your theoretical knowledge
• Access industry-standard facilities, including our impressive recording studios, post-production rooms and portable recording and audio analysis devices
• Have the option to work with external clients in your final year

This course is accredited by JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Support) which encourages the delivery of workshops and lectures from industry professionals. A placement option and your final year project will provide you with opportunities to work with industry partners.

As part of your course you’ll:

• Study in a truly interdisciplinary way as you explore how history and media intersect
• Join the vibrant, research-led academic community in the School of Cultural Studies & Humanities
• Be taught by active researchers who can help guide your studies
• Have the opportunity to choose practical, career-focused option modules to boost your CV and improve your employability upon graduation 

Course structure
You’ll study a balance of history and media modules in your first year, helping you develop a strong skillset and knowledge of methodologies in each discipline. Things like source analysis and media interpretation.

In your second year, you’ll bring your skillset together by completing your first interdisciplinary module. You’ll also begin driving your studies in the direction you want through a wide range of module options.

Your third year culminates in the completion of your dissertation, which explores and celebrates the interconnections between history and media. Employability is embedded throughout your course.

Take a 'whole child' approach to the study of children and the issues that affect them and their families.

As part of this course, you’ll:

• Specialise your study through one of two distinct routes - Early Years and Children & Young People
• Choose the Early Years route if you want to focus on applying a critical lens to young children's education and care within a variety of settings
• Choose the Children & Young People route if you’re interested in focusing on critically examining concepts, contexts and practice related to childhood
• Recognise and champion every child. Using the latest research you’ll explore the theoretical and conceptual terrain of childhood to inform and develop your own practice
• Study modules designed to highlight the importance of the child's voice and children's participation

Accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), this course allows you to study a range of contemporary themes within human geography, including globalisation, sustainability, identity and the diversity of human living.

As part of your course, you’ll:

• Learn about the role that planning plays in helping to shape our cities and towns and make them better places for us to live
• Engage with live projects through a wide range of field trips, from half-day site visits in Leeds to week-long field trips further afield, giving you the opportunity to apply your classroom learning in the real world
• Be entitled to free student membership of the RTPI

Professional links
Many of our academics are active in or have previous experience of working in planning practice, and guest lecturers provide further professional links. This also leads to opportunities for hands-on experience via participation in real-world projects and consultations.

Take control of your future and enjoy the greater freedom and flexibility that developing your own business can bring. We will feed your entrepreneurial spirit and develop your management skills so you can create, establish and lead your own venture. We will also give you the knowledge and confidence to implement new strategies within an established company to drive change, encourage innovation and help the business flourish.

As well as gaining a broad overview of business, you will also explore your individual management style and develop critical-thinking patterns and problem solving and decision-making techniques to share and reflect upon with your peers. Working closely with industry professionals, you will be encouraged to experiment with new ideas and you will learn to identify opportunities and risks in order to develop a viable business venture or project.

Studying professional interactions, you will learn that strong communication and relationship development skills coupled with a solid emotional intelligence base are key to managing and sustaining complex business partnerships.

You will learn from a highly skilled and research-active teaching team who are experts in enterprise, innovation, entrepreneurship, marketing and management. You will also work with a professional mentor - a business practitioner who can provide practical support and advice during your period of study.

With guidance from your mentor, you will have the opportunity to work on a real-life enterprise or start-up project and implement solutions, make decisions and manage the process from start to finish.

Critically explore divisive political issues such as the 2017 snap general election, Brexit and the Donald Trump US Presidency.

As part of your course, you’ll:

• Examine politics as a human activity with a local, national and global outlook
• Study the ideas, ideologies, policies and institutions that form the foundations of modern politics
• Understand complex policy issues and advocate solutions to problems
• Evaluate the nature and distribution of power systems, processes and institutions of governance
• Analyse different interpretations of political events and issues, synthesising relevant information, exercising critical judgement and constructing reasoned arguments
• Analyse pressing issues facing us today, such as climate change, human rights, migration and the crisis of capitalism
• Explore how the role of the state, international power relations, ethics, and political movements and ideologies such as Marxism have profound implications for the organisation of our society
• Undertake a volunteering placement giving you work experience in the field
• Blend critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills