Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education
Villafranca del Castillo, Spain
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
Spanish
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 7,140 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus, Blended
Key Summary
About: Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education at Universidad Camilo José Cela (UCJC). You'll train in holistic child development with the Extended Teaching and Learning Model, project-based and Learning by Doing. Gain practical practicums at SEK International Schools, use the Language Lab for bilingual skills and earn certifications (Project Zero, IB®, Play Pedagogy, CPR-AED). International exchanges expand global experience.
Career Outcomes: Graduates work as Early Childhood Education Teachers, Specialist teachers, International/IB teachers, Pedagogical coordinators, Educators in childcare programs, or Educational entrepreneurs. Skills apply to preschool and kindergarten, curriculum design, play-based learning, child development and leadership; international placement programs support work abroad.
Study for a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education with an innovative pedagogical model and practical experience at SEK International Schools in Madrid, Pontevedra, and Almería. UCJC is the only university in Spain collaborating with Harvard's Project Zero, a global leader in education and creative thinking.
Bachelor's Degree Program in Early Childhood Education
You will study a degree in early childhood education designed to train you as a professional capable of supporting the holistic development of children in their early educational stages. You will learn to create stimulating, inclusive, and creative learning environments, applying active methodologies focused on experimentation, play, and reflection.
You will be trained using an innovative pedagogical model based on the Extended Teaching and Learning Model, project-based learning, and the Learning by Doing approach. You will also have access to the Language Lab, where you will strengthen your communicative and bilingual skills. This flexibility, combined with the early childhood education practicum in leading schools in Madrid, guarantees training applicable to any educational setting.
UCJC is the only university in Spain collaborating with Harvard's Project Zero, an international leader in educational innovation. This is complemented by a student-centered approach to education based on the Reggio Emilia philosophy, along with Felipe Segovia's Intelligent Design Classroom model, which places the student at the heart of learning and fosters observation, creativity, and teacher reflection.
Certifications and accreditations for the Degree in Early Childhood Education
The Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education at UCJC offers you internationally recognized training thanks to unique academic partnerships and complementary certifications that expand your teaching profile.
- Project Zero – Harvard University
- IB® Certificate (International Baccalaureate)
- Certificate in Play Pedagogy (Harvard–LEGO Foundation)
- Diploma in Philosophy Reggio Emilia
- RULER Certification (Yale University)
- CPR-AED and First Aid Certification
- DECA Certificate
Internationality
Expand your knowledge and live authentic academic, cultural and personal experiences in different countries in Europe, Asia and America.
Universidad Camilo José Cela has agreements with higher education institutions around the world to facilitate international mobility for our students. Therefore, you will have the opportunity to study for one or two semesters at the following universities:
- University of Maribor (Slovenia)
- University of Maribor (Slovenia)
- University of Jyvaskyla (Finland)
- University of West Hungary (Hungary)
- University of Foggia Studies (Italy)
- Universitá degli Studi di Salerno (Italy)
- UDEM (Mexico)
- Queen Maud University College (Norway)
- European Institute of Higher Studies (Portugal)
- Palacký University (Czech Republic)
- Uppsala University (Sweden)
- Universidad Mayor (Chile)
- University of Development (Chile)
To gain a comprehensive understanding of early childhood education, UCJC has developed collaborative programs with prestigious universities such as the University of Calgary. You will be able to participate in virtual meetings with their Early Childhood Education students and develop a multicultural perspective on education, so essential today.
You will be eligible for an International Week*, to explore the educational and cultural ecosystems of various European, Asian, or American countries. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to complete your studies at prestigious universities worldwide through Erasmus and/or bilateral agreements, including leading universities such as those in Finland.
You will be able to access the Study Abroad program, to spend a week at an American university and meet students of your age and interests, professors and American teacher training programs.
*Students applying for International Week will have to go through a selection process.
UCJC reserves the right to modify the established conditions described herein due to any unforeseen circumstances at the time of student registration/enrollment, while maintaining the essential conditions. Similarly, stays in the designated countries are subject to change, always seeking to provide the best possible experience and curriculum development for the student.
Methodology and learning
- A practical methodology geared towards professional reality
Active learning
You will be trained through participatory methodologies such as Learning by Doing, collaborative projects and practical experiences in the classroom. - Extended Teaching Learning Model
You will learn within an innovative pedagogical framework focused on the acquisition of skills and reflection on your teaching practice. - SEK Educational Campus
You will participate in training stays at SEK International Schools (Madrid, Pontevedra and Almería), where you will apply the methodologies learned from the first year. - Language Lab
You will develop your communicative and bilingual skills through immersive activities in Spanish and English. - Personalized teacher support
You will have the continuous support of teachers and tutors who will guide you in your personal and professional growth. - Educational innovation and critical thinking
You will apply methodologies inspired by Reggio Emilia and Project Zero (Harvard), enhancing observation, creativity and pedagogical reflection.
Mentions and Specialization
You can personalize your training in Early Childhood Education by choosing one of the official specializations of the degree, which will allow you to delve deeper into specific areas of early childhood education and expand your professional opportunities.
Mentions in Early Childhood Education Teaching available:
- Foreign Language (English)
- Physical education
- Therapeutic Pedagogy (PT)
- Hearing and Language (AL)
- Music
- French or German
- Advanced Communication Techniques
You can also study the degree in its bilingual option (Spanish/English) or access the double degree with Primary Education or Psychology, completing your preparation in just five years.
Ms. Carmen Olmo Mancebo Scholarship
The Carmen Olmo Mancebo Scholarship recognizes the academic excellence and educational commitment of students in the Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education at UCJC. You can apply for this scholarship if you excel academically and actively participate in university life. The scholarship offers a one-year teaching contract at SEK International Schools in Spain, a unique opportunity to begin your teaching career in an environment of innovation and high-quality education.
Upon completion of the Early Childhood Education degree, you will be prepared to work in the field of early childhood education, both in national and international contexts, and in school and non-school settings.
Main career paths for graduates of the Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education:
- Early Childhood Education Teacher: teaching in public, private and subsidized schools.
- Specialist teacher: teaching in the area corresponding to the specialization studied (PT, AL, Music, Physical Education, Foreign Language, etc.).
- Teacher in international schools: access to International Baccalaureate (IB®) schools worldwide thanks to the official certificate.
- Pedagogical coordinator or advisor: design and implementation of innovative educational projects.
- Educator in childcare programs: work in NGOs, children's hospitals or public bodies focused on child welfare and development.
- Teacher in bilingual programs: teaching in English or other languages in national and international centers.
- Educational entrepreneur: creation of own projects, centers or pedagogical initiatives.
Furthermore, thanks to the international focus of the degree, you will be able to participate in job placement programs abroad, such as the Trier project, which facilitates integration into kindergartens in Germany.
Interest in issues related to education; social and ethical commitment to the profession; scientific curiosity; sensitivity towards cultural knowledge in general; open-mindedness to change, improvement, and the use of technological and digital resources; adequate oral and written expression skills, and a desire to learn about and investigate diverse subjects and acquire skills related to their understanding, interpretation, and professional development: interpersonal and communication skills, curiosity, critical thinking, autonomy, ability to work in a team, stress tolerance, creativity, initiative, adaptability to change, etc.
Benefits of studying a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education online or in person in Madrid
- Innovation
Pedagogical model based on the Intelligent Design Classroom and the Reggio Emilia philosophy - Language Lab
Training in Spanish and English with support from the Language Lab (LanguageLab) - Excellence
Apply for the Carmen Olmo Mancebo merit scholarship, which offers a teaching contract at SEK schools.
Pedagogical model and educational vision
The Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education at UCJC is based on an educational model that combines pedagogical innovation and human development. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy and the Intelligent Design Classroom created by Felipe Segovia, it promotes active and reflective learning where each student constructs their own knowledge through observation, creativity, and teaching practice.
Your training will include participation in international projects with Harvard's Project Zero, in the Play Pedagogy and Learning Outside-In programs, which foster curiosity, experimentation, and the documentation of learning. In addition, you will be able to obtain the IB® Certificate in Teaching and Learning, the Certificate in Play Pedagogy (Project Zero), and training in emotional management through the RULER method from Yale University.
As part of the degree's practical focus, you'll experience the SEK Didactic Campus, where you'll apply innovative early childhood education methodologies in real classrooms at SEK International Schools in Madrid, Pontevedra, and Almería. And, if you're looking for a more comprehensive education, you can pursue a double degree in Primary Education or Psychology, expanding your skills and career opportunities.