Early Childhood Studies (with a Placement Year)

Through our Early Childhood Studies degree, you will become an early years specialist and will learn how to make a difference to young lives. We cover the 0 to 8 age range, with a particular focus on pre-school children.

There are few more rewarding roles than helping children to develop new skills, grow socially and emotionally, and overcome challenges. With our Early Childhood Studies degree you can prepare for roles like this.

You’ll develop a deep understanding of the factors which affect children’s learning, health and wellbeing. You will then put the theory into action, using teaching techniques, play therapy and other practical approaches.

You’ll also build experience across a range of placements. And there’s even an opportunity to spend a summer or a year abroad.

Our graduates go on to work in a variety of places, including schools and nurseries, local authorities, health organisations and charities. Some train to become teachers or move into social work.

We offer fantastic University facilities, including access to our £4.4 million Woodlands Day Nursery and Forest School. Our strong links with community groups mean you could also be working with real families alongside experienced professionals.

In your second and third years, you can tailor your degree to your individual interests. Either continue with a more general route, or choose one of the following pathways:

• Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

• Mental health and wellbeing

• Education for our sustainable world

On successful completion of study, depending on your choice of specialism pathway, we will issue you with one of the following awards:

• BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies

• BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Mental Health and Wellbeing)

• BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Special Education Needs and Disabilities)

Course Modules

Year One Core: Children, Families and Society; Emergent Graduate Professional; Keeping Children Safe in Education; Play and Pedagogy with Babies and Young Children

Year Two Standard Core: Contemporary Issues in Children and Young Peoples Voices; Developing Professional Practice; Research Methods
Year Two Standard Optional: Introduction to Special Educational Needs and Disability; Mental Health in Education Contexts
Year Two Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Pathway: Contemporary Issues in Children and Young Peoples Voices; Developing Professional Practice; Introduction to Special Educational Needs and Disability; Research Methods
Year Two Mental Health and Wellbeing Pathway: Contemporary Issues in Children and Young Peoples Voices; Developing Professional Practice; Mental Health in Education Contexts; Research Methods

Year Three: Placement Year

Year Four Standard Core: Educational Inquiry: Literature, Methods and Early Findings; Innovative Research Dissemination for Professional Practice; The Graduate Professional
Year Four Standard Optional: Mental Health Practice Provision; Specialist Skills: Employability and Enterprise in SEND Services
Year Four Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Pathway: Educational Inquiry: Literature, Methods and Early Findings; Innovative Research Dissemination for Professional Practice; The Graduate Professional; Specialist Skills: Employability and Enterprise in SEND Services
Year Four Mental Health and Wellbeing Pathway: Educational Inquiry: Literature, Methods and Early Findings; Innovative Research Dissemination for Professional Practice; The Graduate Professional; Mental Health Practice Provision

Reflecting the different needs of learners, we use a wide range of formal or ‘summative’ assessment methods at the end of each module. These are carefully designed and monitored to enable students to demonstrate the learning outcomes for each module and also to allow elements of choice and co-creation.  Methods range from traditional essays through to case study analysis, research report writing, producing real world resources, group presentations, live briefs, blogs, professional conversations, independent projects and reflective writing. We have no exams on this course. All modules have formative assessment opportunities, and we ensure that students undertake a variety of assessment methods at each level and that they are interesting, challenging and develop skills valued by employers. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Each module normally includes ‘formative’ assessments, where you can receive feedback from your module tutor