BA Single Honours Working with Children, Young People and Families (with Foundation Year)
Undergraduate
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There are many challenges facing children and their families today. Supporting children, young people and families requires informed, dedicated and educated professionals who are able to understand the social, economic, political and cultural context in which we work, so that we can respond appropriately to these challenges.
Grounded in social justice, this course prepares our students for roles as senior practitioners and policy makers by offering them the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the issues impacting upon families at a local, national and international level. We do this by drawing from professional expertise, social theory and the wealth of experiences brought to us by our students.
Foundation Year at Birmingham Newman University
The Foundation Year is the first year of a four-year undergraduate degree at Birmingham Newman University. It offers a flexible route into higher education for students who may not meet standard entry requirements or who are returning to study after time away. Whether you are exploring a new direction or looking to strengthen your academic foundations, this additional year of study provides the structure, support and space to help you succeed.
You’ll apply through UCAS for your chosen degree with Foundation Year. Once you’ve successfully completed the Foundation Year and met the progression criteria, you’ll move into Year 1 of your undergraduate course.
Who is the Foundation Year for?
• This route is designed for students who:
• Are returning to education after a break
• Do not currently hold the qualifications for direct entry onto a three-year degree
• Want to build confidence and academic skills before starting undergraduate study
• Are seeking a structured and supportive introduction to university life
You’ll be part of a learning community that recognises your potential and supports your development from the very beginning. The Foundation Year is not just a pathway into university. It is a purposeful and personalised start to your academic journey.
What Will I Study?
The Foundation Year focuses on helping you become a confident, reflective and independent learner. You’ll begin by exploring how you learn and identifying strategies that work for you. You’ll also engage with wider themes such as identity, inequality and the human experience in a digital world. These topics encourage critical thinking and personal insight, while connecting across subject areas.
You’ll develop core academic skills including writing, research, digital literacy and communication. These are taught through seminars, workshops, online activities and one-to-one support. The aim is not only to prepare you for your chosen subject, but to help you feel connected to your learning and to the university community.
‘For someone returning to education after a hiatus, this foundation (year) was essential in helping me regain my academic footing and feel prepared for the challenges ahead.’ – Alix Wyatt, Birmingham Newman University Alumna
What Happens After the Foundation Year?
Once you’ve successfully completed the Foundation Year and met the progression requirements, you’ll begin Year 1 of your undergraduate degree. You’ll already be familiar with the university environment, your subject area and the expectations of academic study, giving you a strong foundation to build on.
Why study this course
The course provides an opportunity to cover a range of multi-disciplinary issues relating to the lives of children, young people and their families.
The course is up to date, keeping pace with changes in society.
You will have opportunities to volunteer or undertake project work with local community organisations and apply the theoretical knowledge gained on the course to real-life scenarios under the supervision of experienced practitioners.
You will develop transferable skills which will be relevant to a wide range of graduate employment contexts.

Got a question you’d like to ask?
Entry requirements Entry requirements, for UK home students, for September 2025 entry: 48 UCAS points Those with significant work and life experience of a complexity that demonstrates an aptitude to study at degree level, but with no formal qualifications, will also be favourably considered. Different degree pathway options available at the end of the foundation year may have different additional entry requirements. If you require any further information or clarification of entry requirements please contact our friendly, helpful Admissions department, who will be happy to help.
The tuition fee for academic year 2025/26 is: £5,760
Additional costs
The University will review tuition fees and increase fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government, if permitted by law or government policy, in subsequent years of your course. It is anticipated that such increases would be linked to RPI (the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments).
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Placement information
Our Careers team provides tailored advice, placements and workshops to help you build confidence and prepare for life after university.

What careers can I consider
The skills and knowledge gained from undertaking this course provide an excellent preparation for a wide range of occupations including careers in pastoral roles in education, family support work, social care, community support roles, employment within local authorities, health or charity sectors, culture, heritage or recreation.
It is intended that graduates from this course will develop into managers and leadership roles capable of dealing with multi-agency working with a range of knowledge and inter-personal skills.
Graduates can also progress onto a wide range of postgraduate degree programmes including social work, or teacher training or Psychology conversion.
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