Section: Taught Masters Programmes
MSc/ Diploma in Childhood Studies
A Message on behalf of the Programme Director
Welcome to the web pages for the MSc in Childhood Studies at the Graduate School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh. On these pages you will find key information about our well established degree programme.
The MSc/Diploma in Childhood Studies is an intensive interdisciplinary degree, designed to explore issues such as child law and how it is implemented through policy and practice, and the implications of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child for child welfare, disability, education, family studies, juvenile justice, social policy and social work.
If the answer to any of the following questions is yes, then the MSc in Childhood Studies may be the learning experience and degree qualification you are looking for.
- Do you want to learn about child law, and how it is implemented through policy and practice?
- Has your job been affected by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)?
- Have you an interest in child welfare, education, disability, family studies juvenile justice, social policy and/or social work?
- Are you concerned about the way children negotiate their local geography (e.g. spaces for play, sport and leisure) or the risks associated with childhood (e.g. child health, poverty, discrimination and development)?
- Does your job require you to gather children's views through research, evaluation, interviewing or participatory techniques (e.g. draw and write, drama, art, peer research, vignettes, etc)?
- Do you want to change to a career working with children?
- Have you an interest in how childhood is considered in: Acts of Law, Social or Cultural Anthropology, Kinship or Relationship Studies, History, International Development, Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology, or any other subject in the social and political sciences?
We have recently developed these pages, and you can follow the links in the right hand menu to find out more about the programme, its content, and possible opportunities for funding. If, after reading these pages, you have further queries about the programme, Kay invites you to contact her (see contact details, below). You may also want to look at the current programme handbook to see what this year's students are doing.
What our students say
I find it extremely interesting from my perspective as a teacher - especially regarding the legal position of children on various matters.
The sessions are open to discussions; this too is a very good feature which enables people to express their views and learn from each other.
I was accepted for the course as a "non standard entrant" as, I do not have an undergraduate degree. I have however spent all of working life in and around child welfare and it was because of this experience that I was able to be considered for acceptance.
Who to contact
For general queries (e.g. fees, qualifications) and application queries
The Graduate School of Social and Political Science
Chrystal Macmillan Building
15a George Square
EDINBURGH EH8 9LD
Tel: +44 (0) 131 651 1560
E-mail: gradschool.sps@ed.ac.uk
For queries on programme content, courses and other matters
Professor Kay TisdallThis page was published on 8 February 2010