Children's Rights & Participation

Overview
This programme meets the increasing demand for a fully online postgraduate qualification in Children's Rights and Participation, explicitly focused on interdisciplinary research and child rights-based research methods.

The programme aims to provide high-level knowledge and skills in children's rights law and practice of value to those working with and for children, including public officials and NGOs as well as educators, social workers and health care providers.

The programme will develop your expertise in two distinct but interconnected areas:

- Children's Rights - using the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and other relevant international standards to evaluate the laws, policies and practices which affect children.

- Research with Children - evaluating the best methods of conducting research into children's lives with a particular focus on approaches which involve children actively in the research process.

- The course will provide you with a thorough grounding in these two areas and the opportunity to explore a range of contexts in which these perspectives can be used to better understand children’s lives and secure improved outcomes for children.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 31st July 2024 at 4pm. Late applications may be considered.

Course Structure
Hosted by the internationally renowned Centre for Children’s Rights, this online PG Certificate builds on existing specialisms in the Centre across children’s rights law, policy and practice. A fully online approach has been adopted for this mode which includes a mixture of live and pre-recorded lectures, online live tutorials, online discussion forums, and guest speakers.

The Postgraduate Certificate is awarded to students who successfully complete 60 CATS points.

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

Year 1
Core Modules
Perspectives on Childhood and Youth (10 credits)
Foundations of Children's Rights (20 credits)
Children's Rights and Participation (20 credits)
Childhood and Youth Research in Practice (10 credits)

Graduate
A 2.1 Honours degree or above or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any subject discipline.

Applicants with a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University may also be considered if they have at least two years of professional experience in an education, training or relevant context.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 31st July 2024 at 4pm

Late applications may be considered.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

Please note this is an online course.

1 year (Part Time)

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects
There is increasing demand for high-level skills in interdisciplinary research, participatory research methods and knowledge of children's rights. Professionals within children/human rights-focused NGOs, public officials, educators, social workers and health professionals who work with children should find this degree beneficial. The PG Cert is a good foundation for students wishing to pursue their own research through further study.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes help our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.

Previous graduates have been successful in gaining jobs with international and national children’s rights NGOs while others have gone on to pursue doctoral study. Many of our graduates have also undertaken the course as form of professional development within their existing careers in areas such as law, medicine, education, social work and policy development.