studying social pedagogy

Programmes endorsed by the Social Pedagogy Professional Association, an English-taught master’s in Germany, and our own short courses for practitioners and leaders.

AT A GLANCE

UK programmes: SPPA-endorsed degrees and CPD
International: English-taught master’s in Germany
Short courses: ThemPra online courses
Endorsement: Social Pedagogy Professional Association
See the programmes →

an overview

qualifications and courses

Interest in social pedagogy as a field of study has grown steadily in the UK and beyond. This page brings together the programmes endorsed by the Social Pedagogy Professional Association (SPPA), one English-taught master’s in Germany, and our own short courses.

Every UK programme below is listed on SPPA’s register of endorsed programmes and awards the title of Social Pedagogy Practitioner.

The register changes as new programmes are endorsed. If you spot something that has changed, please get in touch and we’ll update this page.

SPPA ENDORSEMENT

the register of endorsed programmes

The Social Pedagogy Professional Association (SPPA) endorses programmes that meet its standards for social pedagogy education in the UK. Programmes that award the title of Social Pedagogy Practitioner are listed on its public register.

ThemPra is an organisational member of SPPA and a longstanding supporter of its work to develop social pedagogy as a recognised profession.

View the register →

uk programmes

sppa-endorsed programmes

These programmes are listed on SPPA’s register of endorsed programmes, in the order they were endorsed.

DEGREE · ENDORSED SINCE 2019

Working with Children & Young People: Social Pedagogy – Kingston University

A degree preparing you for a career working with children, young people and their families in health, social care, education and youth justice, including two work placements with partner organisations.

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PATHWAY · ENDORSED SINCE 2020

Early Childhood Education in Society – University of Worcester

A pathway for those who want to work in the wider early childhood sector, drawing on social pedagogy philosophy.

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BA EXIT AWARD · ENDORSED SINCE 2021

BA Childhood and Youth Studies with Social Pedagogy – University of Sussex

Students choose modules leading to an exit award in BA Childhood and Youth Studies with Social Pedagogy, including 400 placement hours. Graduates are designated Social Pedagogy Practitioners.

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CPD · ENDORSED SINCE 2023

Social Pedagogy Practice learning programme – ThemPra Social Pedagogy CIC

Developed with the National House Project, this programme combines an online course, a MOOC on social pedagogy across Europe, team development and peer learning to embed social pedagogy in frontline practice and across organisations.

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FOUNDATION DEGREE · ENDORSED SINCE 2023

FdA Youth and Social Care – University of South Wales

Covers theory and practice for working with young people, children, families and communities across the wider care sector.

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BA (HONS) · ENDORSED SINCE 2023

Working with Children and Families – University of South Wales

Covers services, policies and multi-agency working, with a required work placement.

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international

postgraduate study in germany

For those interested in a research route, Leuphana University offers a master’s taught entirely in English.

MSC · GERMANY · ENGLISH-TAUGHT

Social Work Research (MSc) – Leuphana University, Lüneburg

A four-semester (120 ECTS) master’s taught in English, preparing students for academic careers in social work through empirical research, theory and methods. Not an SPPA-endorsed programme, but graduates in social pedagogy are among those eligible to apply. Study starts on 1 October; admission is limited to 15 places.

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