Children and Young People

Entry requirements

Applicants for the PhD programme would normally have, or be studying for a Master’s degree, while our MPhil programme requires a first or upper second degree in a discipline related to the proposed research project, or a relevant, approved postgraduate qualification. In some cases, there may be opportunities for MPhil students to continue their studies as a PhD student.

If English is not your first language you will need an acceptable pass in an approved English Language qualification to make sure you get the full benefit from studying at Swansea. We consider a wide range of qualifications, including the Swansea University English Test, the British Council IELTS test (with a score of at least 6.5 in each component).

Months of entry

January, April, July, October

Course content

Our early years are critical in forming the behaviours that will influence our lifelong health and well-being. Rapid social and technological changes mean we now have to think differently about how we create a positive environment in which children and young people can develop.

Our particular research expertise falls into four broad categories:

Health and Welfare, investigating factors influencing the welfare of children and young people such as health care provision, child abuse and neglect, learning disabilities, play, and homelessness. Recent research projects carried out by students cover children’s free play choices in the school and home, teaching approaches with the Foundation Phase, and looked after children.

Child and Youth Identity, exploring the interactions between young people as individual agents, their social environments, and wider social structures that inform their choices and opportunities.

Child Development, addressing the range of factors influencing how children learn and develop from early years through to later adolescence, and the ways in which the effects of these factors can be monitored in the play of children.

Health Psychology, examining the psychological factors in promoting good health, and developing interventions to encourage children, young people, and pregnant women to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviours.

As a student at the College of Human and Health Sciences, you will benefit from a dynamic and supportive research environment with many opportunities to make connections across disciplines and develop links with organisations and policy makers both in the UK and globally. As such, you can be confident that your research will inform and be informed by the wider health and social care environment.

Information for international students

Since its foundation in 1920, Swansea University has embraced opportunities to think globally. The vibrant mix of nationalities and cultures on campus greatly enriches our learning and teaching environment. We understand the type of support our international students need to help them settle into student life in a new country.

Fees and funding

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page: www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships