
BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies
DURATION
3 up to 4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
GBP 15,750 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international full time | UK part time: £4,625 | UK full time: £9,250 | professional placement year full time for UK: £1,850 international: £3,150
Key Summary
Introduction
On this dynamic course, you’ll develop a critical understanding of childhood, babies, children, and families from multi-disciplinary and global perspectives. Informed by the latest research and our Centre for Research in Early Childhood (REACH), you’ll examine current debates and explore concepts such as play, development, ethics, wellbeing, social justice and leadership.
Through 80 days of planned placement activity, you’ll gain essential skills and knowledge of inclusive and collaborative practices to make a positive impact on children’s lives and shape your future career. You might also apply for our Certificate in Global Citizenship or opt for a study visit or international placement.
If you apply for a PGCE during your final year of study, you'll receive a guaranteed PGCE Primary and Early Years interview.
Professional placement year
Overview
This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.
By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
Year one (Level 4) modules
- Introduction to Early Childhood
- Children’s Voices in Early Childhood
- Constructions of Early Childhood
- Research in Early Childhood
- Introduction to Practice in Early Childhood Settings
- Diversity and Inclusion in Early Childhood
Year two (Level 5) modules
- Care, Development and Learning in Early Childhood
- Professional Practice in an Early Childhood Setting
- Issues in Early Childhood
- Early Childhood Pedagogue
Two optional modules, such as but not limited to:
- Literacy Learning in a Multi Media World
- Supporting Learners with Additional Needs
- Environment and Education
- Youth in Society: Power, Politics and Participation
- Professional Placement Year
Year three (Level 6) modules
- Leadership and Teamwork in Early Childhood Settings
- Play and Playfulness
- Early Childhood Dissertation: Part 1
- Early Childhood Dissertation: Part 2
Two optional modules, such as, but not limited to:
- Learning in Mathematics
- Childhood, Reading and Children’s Literature
- Health, Education and Wellbeing
- Young People, Identities and Subcultures
- Professional Practice: Supporting the Dyslexic Learning in the Classroom
- Learning in Science
- Culture, Creativity and Society: Perspectives in Art Education
- Identity, Philosophy and Education
- Symbolic Representations: Young Children Making Meaning
Program Outcome
What you'll learn
Overview
You’ll gain knowledge and understanding of:
- Social, cultural, historical, political and economic contexts of early childhood
- Approaches to working with babies, young children, families and communities
- An understanding of global issues and debates, such as young children as active participants in the lives and practices of families, societies and cultures
- The processes which shape early childhood and young children's lives, including ethical principles and children's rights
- Educational research and enquiry methods
- Skills which support participation, critical engagement, and intellectual independence.
In addition to this, you’ll gain skills that will make you attractive to employers. You’ll learn to present your ideas confidently in a variety of forms, use ICT for various professional purposes and work collaboratively.
Course structure
Year one
Year one will introduce to you contemporary and global issues in childhood, the education and care of young children from birth to eight years, and the importance of reflection as a professional tool. Through your studies and placement, you’ll explore theoretical and research perspectives underpinning how children develop and learn. This includes a focus on children’s creativity, wellbeing, rights and participation.
Year two
During your placement and studies in year two, you'll develop your professional identity as an early childhood educator and gain a deep understanding of the care, development and learning of children between birth and eight years old. You’ll question how current social, political and cultural perspectives impact the lived experiences of children and their families, and critically examine issues such as equity and social justice, diversity and inclusion and digital technologies.
Year three
In year three you’ll continue in placement and gain an understanding of leadership in early childhood settings. Alongside this, experiential learning will support your knowledge of effective ways of leading a team, reflective practice, and working with parents, carers, families and communities. You’ll analyse concepts such as play and playfulness, ethics and democracy. Through balancing independent work with one-to-one support, you’ll carry out research in a chosen, specialist area and prepare for your future career.
How will I be assessed?
You’ll be assessed through coursework. There are no exams.
Assessments could include essays, group presentations, research-based reports and portfolio-based work. We’ll provide you with regular feedback on how well you're doing and give you regular guidance on how to improve your skills, knowledge and understanding.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Early Childhood Studies will provide the basis for you to work with young children in different early years settings and contexts. You may choose to work in educational and training advisory roles in a range of organisations including local community, businesses, local authorities, non-government organisations, charities, museums, art galleries and libraries.
Facilities
Program delivery
How will I be taught?
Teaching is through a mix of lectures, seminars and individual tutorials. Seminars are usually more informal than lectures – they're opportunities for you to discuss, ask questions and get involved in activities and debates.
You’ll be taught by experienced and respected University staff. Throughout the course they’ll introduce you to their specialisms and research interests.
You’ll also benefit from visiting speakers – these include early childhood setting leaders, play therapists, children’s services, educational advisers, specialist researchers and international visitors.
Course length
Three years full-time, or four years full-time with a professional placement year. Part-time available.