Course Overview

The MA Children and Young People’s Participation and Leadership is designed for any professional who works with children, young people, and their families, with a special interest in facilitating their rights and active participation.

This unique course is designed with special thanks to the Scottish Government, the Scottish Youth Parliament, Children’s Parliament Scotland, and relevant children’s rights organizations. With a strong focus on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), there is an opportunity to contextualize how children’s rights, active participation, and child-led decisions are integrated within your professional role, and their place as a valued and meaningful part of this process.

An opportunity to examine the Children’s Rights Impact Assessments (CRIAs) that are implemented within the Scottish Government will support an understanding of how the UNCRC is considered policy making. Critical thinking and evaluation will be encouraged, of both national and international perspectives in establishing a culture of children’s rights, to promote these rights as central to legislation, policies, and practices for children and young people. This will enhance your understanding of how the UNCRC underpins all aspects of leadership and participation within both Scotland and an international forum.

Special features

• Modules developed in partnership with the Scottish Youth Parliament

• Links with Scottish Youth Parliament, Scottish Government, and Children’s Parliament Scotland

• The course is available to study full-time or part-time, online through the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE), enabling you to fit your study around your personal and professional commitments

• Course content enables students and professionals (already employed) to further their qualification base and to engage in professional development and dialogue on the topics discussed in this program

• You can choose to study individual modules for continuing professional development (CPD) or work towards the PgCert, PgDip, or full master's degree

General Eligibility

• 2:1 honors degree, or equivalent OR

• Postgraduate diploma award or a professional qualification recognized as being equivalent to an honors degree 

• Applicants with a 2:2 honors degree or below, or with an ordinary degree or DipHE in a relevant subject, plus relevant professional experience may also be considered.  

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and/or Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) may also be claimed. 

Professional workforce with prior experience:

• Individuals who wish to participate in this program but who do not yet meet the entry requirements will be looked at on an individual basis.

• Individuals with a wealth of previous experience within a relevant field i.e. education, children’s services, social services, police service, health service or third-sector organizations will be considered.

• A discussion will be held between yourself and the Program Leader to ascertain your prior knowledge, experience, and skills. This dialogue will also allow you to ask further questions to ensure that this is the correct progression route for you.

Part Time Work Details

20 hours work permit for international students

Language Requirement

• Applicants must have an IELTS score- 6.5 or equivalent

  English (PTE) Academic-62 average with 55 in each component

  TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) iBT4-Min 88 or above with min 20 in each section