Entry requirements
You must have a bachelors degree from a UK university (or equivalent) to study this course. Your degree can be in any subject, although childhood and youth studies, sociology, health and social care, anthropology, psychology or education are particularly relevant.
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance check
The research project option in E807 and E810 are only available if you are a UK resident as you will need to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance check (or equivalent in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). Students in Scotland will also need to meet the requirements of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme. The criminal record check must be appropriate for the setting in which you intend to carry out your research. The DBS (or equivalent) must bear the same name as given in your post-registration agreement form. You also need permission from your employer to undertake this work. If these conditions cannot be fulfilled then you should choose the literature review option for E807 or E810.
Please note: It is a legal, rather than an Open University requirement, that you must obtain Enhanced DBS clearance in order to work with children on E807 and E810. This is the responsibility of you and your employer and not The Open University. If you are in doubt about your eligibility, or to find out more, you should contact the relevant agency in your country for more information.
Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum score of 7 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details.
How long it takes
If you are starting studying for this qualification from October 2018
You will have up to six years to complete the qualification.
If you started studying for this qualification before October 2018
You will have two years to complete this qualification and we would recommend that you study 60 credits per year starting modules in October 2018 and October 2019. Exceptionally, students can study two 60-credit modules in an academic year to complete quicker, but this option requires students be able to commit about 30 hours per week to their studies which is not practical for most students, especially those in full-time employment. If you are considering registering for two 60-credit modules in the same academic year we strongly advise you to talk to an educational adviser on +44 (0)300 303 5303 or contact us.
When planning your studies, please check the final start date of modules that you are planning to study as part of this qualification so that you can be certain of securing your required modules. The two compulsory modules Children and young people's worlds: frameworks for integrated practice (E807) and Critical practice with children and young people (K802) are available for only one further presentation starting October 2018. There will be one 60-credit optional module, Understanding children’s development and learning, (ED841) starting every October until the final presentation in October 2019.
The two 30-credit optional modules, Continuing professional development in practice (U810) and Development: context and practice (T877), will be available beyond that but if you intend studying these modules you should be aware that U810 has an entry requirement that you need to have completed at least 150 hours of CPD over the last 3-4 years.