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Early Childhood Studies

Course details
  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 21 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

Take a fresh look at childhood through sociology, psychology, history, and philosophy. Build critical thinking, creativity, and practical skills while exploring career paths and gaining experience via diverse placements and professional recognition.

Enriching children's lives and learning
Inspiring curiosity, creativity, and confidence in childhood.

Varied placement opportunities in diverse settings
Offering distinctive opportunities across diverse settings; from charities and family hubs to prisons and community initiatives.

Advocating for positive change
Developing students as change-makers for children and families through creativity and problem solving.

This course is for you if...

  • you are excited to work directly with children and families

  • you're keen to explore child development through global, historical, and cultural perspectives

  • you're eager to go beyond traditional teaching, opening doors to careers in various areas and settings

  • you're seeking diverse placement opportunities that are enriching and varied.

Modules

Course Modules

Year 1
In the first year, you’ll get an overview of the factors that affect children’s lives and begin considering your own professional identity within the sector. You’ll explore how children grow and develop, drawing on the latest research around thinking, playing and learning. You’ll also gain an understanding of different approaches to observing children. Modules on social policy and equality and diversity will introduce you to key contemporary issues.

Year 2
Your second year focuses on developing your analytical and reflective skills, and expands your hands-on experience during the work based learning module. You will continue to develop your understanding of research while studying children’s development and communication. Throughout this year you will be encouraged to make links with your learning in practice and your academic learning, which will enable you to have a greater understanding of young children and their families lives.

Final year
In the final stage of the course you will be helped to make the transition from ‘knowledge consumer’ to ‘knowledge producer’. You will use your developing knowledge and experience to challenge, extend and critique other people’s ideas and your own. You will plan and carry out a research project to develop and disseminate understanding of what you have identified as an area of interest and you will continue to develop your capacity to act as a strong advocate for young children and families.

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.

Assessment method

100% coursework.

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
X310
Institution code:
P60
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level

96 UCAS points including a minimum of 2 A Levels. Preference for social science/ health & social care/ early years/ childcare qualifications but others are considered.

T Level
Pass (C and above)

Pass (C or above on the core)

UCAS Tariff
Offer: 96

Including a minimum of 2 A Levels. Preference for social science/ health & social care/ early years/ childcare qualifications but others are considered.

Scottish Higher

96 points to include two Advanced Highers

AS

Considered alongside other qualifications.

Access to HE Diploma

Pass Access to HE Diploma with at least 33 credits at Merit or Distinction. Preference for social science/ health & social care/ early years/ childcare qualifications but others are considered.

Scottish Advanced Higher

96 UCAS points to include two Advanced Highers.
English and Maths accepted within as GCSE equivalents

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD

Preference for social science/ health & social care/ early years/ childcare qualifications but others are considered.

Extended Project

Considered alongside other qualifcations.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered alongside other qualifications.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 26

Preference for social science/ health & social care/ early years/ childcare qualifications but others are considered.
English and Maths accepted within as GCSE equivalents

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
C

This would be accepted in combination of other level 3 qualifications

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
MMM

Preference for social science/ health & social care/ early years/ childcare qualifications but others are considered.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

96 UCAS points from Irish Leaving.
English and Maths accepted within as GCSE equivalents

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered alongside other qualifications.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered alongside other qualifications.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
C

This would be accepted in combination of other level 3 qualifications

GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/ 4 or above. If applicants do not have the equivalent Maths qualification, completing this during this degree will be promoted. https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-early-childhood-studies

Additional entry requirements

Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) / Disclosure Scotland Check

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6With 5.5 in all elements.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

At the University of Plymouth, we believe in building a welcoming and inclusive community that supports every student to achieve their full potential.

With our contextual offer scheme, we may extend offers below our standard entry criteria to those applicants whose circumstances and experiences could have impacted their education and academic performance. You can check your eligibility for a contextual offer using our online postcode checker.

Learn more on the University of Plymouth website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For all information about tuition fees, please visit our fees and funding pages at www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees

  • Fees are correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.
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