Find your perfect child studies programs abroad
Find child studies programs you love that match your needs and aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.
Child Studies degrees abroad
Child studies, often referred to as childhood studies, is a fascinating, interdisciplinary subject that focuses on the development of children and the issues that influence them.
As a child studies student, you’ll study a range of areas and topics that are important to children’s lives. You will look at the social, historical, and psychological factors that impact childhood, while developing the skills you’ll need to work in a range of child-rated careers.
Choosing to study child studies abroad as an international student means exposing yourself to the best programs the world has to offer. You’ll also broaden both your academic and personal horizons by studying in another country and experiencing a new culture.
Child Studies program structure
Child studies programs are available at a range of degree levels and types. As an undergraduate, you can study for a foundation degree, diploma, certificate, or bachelor’s.
At the bachelor’s level, the majority of child studies programs are offered as a BA, but some are offered as BSc degrees. Most child or childhood studies programs are offered in the UK, but programs like child development are available in the USA.
If you do choose to study for a bachelor’s in the US, your program will usually last four years. Under the liberal arts college model, you’ll get the chance to study a range of minors before you declare your major in the final two years.
Child studies is also available at the postgraduate level. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field, you could choose to study a master’s as an MA or MSc, depending on the university. These programs usually last between one and two years and combine taught classes with your own research.
The method of teaching on most child studies programs will be lecture-based, but you can also expect regular tutorials, seminars, group work, and placements. The subjects and modules you’ll be taught will be different for each program, but some of the topics you can expect to cover include:
- Contemporary debates in global childhood
- Psychology for child studies
- Education and diversity
- Perspectives in child development
- Professional practice in careers with children
- The social history of childhood
- Development of literacy in children

Best countries to study child studies
Best universities to study child studies
Child Studies study abroad programs
What are the top child studies undergraduate programs abroad?
Bath Spa UniversityEarly Childhood Studies - BA (Hons)
- 3 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Subject area
- Child Studies
- Location
- Bath, UK
- Next available start date
- September 2025
- Annual tuition fee
- 16,460GBP
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
Buckinghamshire New UniversityChildhood Studies with Early Years - BA (Hons)
- 3 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Subject area
- Child Studies, Elementary Education
- Location
- High Wycombe, UK
- Next available start date
- September 2025 +1 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 15,150GBP
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
California Lutheran UniversityTheology and Christian Leadership: Children, Youth, and Family Ministry - BA
- 4 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Subject area
- Youth Studies, Child Studies, Christian Studies, Family Ministry
- Location
- Thousand Oaks, USA
- Next available start date
- January 2026
- Annual tuition fee
- 51,750USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
California State University, Monterey BayChild and Adolescent Development to Human Development & Family Science - BSc
- 4 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Subject area
- Youth Studies, Family Sciences, Child Studies, Human Development
- Location
- Seaside, USA
- Next available start date
- August 2025 +1 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 17,859USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
California State University, SacramentoChild and Adolescent Development: Educational Contexts - BA
- 4 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Subject area
- Youth Studies, Child Studies
- Location
- Sacramento, USA
- Next available start date
- August 2025 +2 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 20,618USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
See all undergraduate degrees in child studies abroad
What are the top child studies postgraduate programs abroad?
Bath Spa UniversityEducation: Early Childhood Studies - MA
- 1 year
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Master's
- Subject area
- Education, Child Studies
- Location
- Bath, UK
- Next available start date
- September 2025 +1 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 16,625GBP
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
Buckinghamshire New UniversityChild Protection and Adult Safeguarding - MSc
- 1 year
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Master's
- Subject area
- Child Studies
- Location
- High Wycombe, UK
- Next available start date
- September 2025 +1 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 15,500GBP
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
California State University, East BaySocial Work.: Children, Youth, and Families - MSW
- 2 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Master's
- Subject area
- Family Studies, Youth Studies, Child Studies
- Location
- San Francisco, USA
- Next available start date
- August 2025 +2 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 16,667USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
Dallas Baptist UniversityLiberal Arts: Children’s Ministry - Dual MA/MLA
- 3 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Master's
- Subject area
- Child Studies, Liberal Arts
- Location
- Dallas, USA
- Next available start date
- June 2025 +2 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 19,872USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
Dublin City UniversityChildren's and Young Adult Literature - MA (with foundation)
- 1 year
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Master's
- Subject area
- Child Studies, Children's Literature
- Location
- Dublin, Ireland
- Next available start date
- September 2026
- Annual tuition fee
- 16,500EUR
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
See all postgraduate degrees in child studies abroad
Future child studies careers
A degree in child or childhood studies will give you the skills and knowledge required to pursue a range of careers working with children. Some of the most popular roles for child studies graduates include:
- Child psychotherapist
- Child counselor
- Speech and language therapist
- Children’s nurse
- Care worker
- Early childhood teacher
- Support worker
For some of the careers above you will need additional qualifications, so make sure you know exactly what you need for your dream career before you apply.
Make use of your university’s careers advice team - they can help you find relevant placements and work experience, or give you advice on which career could be right for you.
