Challenge conventional views on children and childhood. This master’s programme is interdisciplinary and focuses on the critical study of questions related to children and childhood. 

Child Studies, Master´s Programme, Distance

Autumn 2024 / Full-time / Linköping

Child Studies, Master´s Programme, Distance

Autumn 2025 / Full-time / Linköping

Courses explore various areas: children’s rights, parents and the family, education and school, migration, culture, the media, and health. You will deepen your knowledge of methodological approaches and theoretical perspectives in child studies. These courses will give you a broad knowledge of questions that concern the lives of children. Our core focus is how to apply the latest research findings in order to critically review, develop and improve policies and practices related to children and childhood. The programme is hosted by an internationally renowned research department, which has conducted research in child and childhood studies since 1988. The teachers are active researchers, which guarantees that cutting-edge knowledge is presented.

Online and on-campus training

The programme can be taken in one or two years and will prepare you for designing, planning and conducting research that concerns children, childhood and families. Each year is concluded with a 15-credits master’s thesis. The programme is primarily taught online with the aid of a digital learning platform, but there are two 4–5 days long on-campus periods in the first year and one in the second. This allows for some flexibility as to where and when you conduct your studies. The programme has high academic standards, however, and requires students to commit full time to their studies.

The Master’s Programme in Child Studies is an international study programme. Students on the programme usually have experiences from many different national and cultural contexts. Throughout the programme, students are encouraged to draw on their experiences in discussions and seminars. This will give you the opportunity to exchange ideas about children, childhood and the family in an international forum.

Syllabus and course details

A detailed syllabus, curriculum, and information on the courses you may take can be found in our study information database via the link below. Entry requirements and tuition information can be found by selecting the drop-down ”Admission requirements” available under the Autumn 2025 tab.

Career opportunities

Graduates who wish to follow a career in research via a doctoral degree will be well prepared through the programme. You can also follow a career within governmental authorities as well as local organisations, both governmental and non-governmental, whose activities affect children and their living conditions, or use the master’s degree to take your career in professional fields such as education, politics, social work and care to the next level.

Alumni insights

Portrait of Ronja Ulvfot, taken outdoors.

Ronja Ulvfot, Project Coordinator for Child Helpline International, Netherlands

The programme is focused on critical thinking and reflection rather than just learning facts. I got to understand the concept of children and childhood from many different theoretical perspectives. It really broadened my horizons and has been very useful in my current career. It was superb to get to know so many people from different countries who were also taking the course – the discussions were always very dynamic.

News

Research

The master's programme is hosted by the internationally renowned research unit for Child Studies at Linköping University, which consists of more than 20 researchers, including four professors and several PhD students.

Application & admission

Distance education

Contact us

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