Childhood and Education Studies (Online)

OVERVIEW
Our childhood experiences shape all our lives. Being part of that journey, as a professional helping children and their families, makes for a hugely rewarding career. If you dream of working in this field but want the flexibility of distance learning, University College Birmingham’s Childhood and Education Studies degree course allows you to study online and gain the knowledge, understanding and transferable skills to explore a wide range of jobs in this sector.

Preparing you for a constantly changing job market, our online degree will provide you with an in-depth understanding of children’s complex psycho-social, physical, emotional and cognitive needs. You will study a variety of areas, from safeguarding and learning in early childhood to inclusive practice and supporting parents, as well as enhancing a range of interpersonal and intrapersonal communication skill sets.

Our ‘flexi-learn’ online course has been developed to offer you an authentic sense of community, using a blend of communication tools including web-based/email delivery and ‘real-time’ online conversations and activities. You will have face-to-face contact with module staff, personal tutors and dissertation supervisors through web conferencing software, which you will be trained how to use before your studies begin. (See more details about the teaching and assessment arrangements for this course under 'Assessment Method' below.)

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?

• Flexible online learning – Want to boost your skills while maintaining full-time/part-time employment? Studying our Childhood and Education Studies degree online provides a flexible approach to learning

• Specialise your studies – Study and research specialist topics through a range of optional modules, a final dissertation project and innovative assessment regimes

• Diverse skills and knowledge – Build your understanding around childhood development, social trends and legislative frameworks alongside employability skills for your future career

CAREERS AND PROGRESSION
Examples of careers you could pursue following this course:

• Childcare worker

• Community education officer

• Counsellor

• Education administrator

• Learning mentor (school)

• Special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)

You could also progress onto one of our postgraduate courses at University College Birmingham.

• Please refer to our website www.ucb.ac.uk for the latest updates to this course

YEAR 1

• Academic Skills for Distance Learners
• Exploring Childhood Development
• Learning in Early Childhood
• Professional Management within Practice 1
• Protecting and Safeguarding Children

YEAR 2

• Behaviour and Individual Differences in Childhood
• Language and Literacy as Communicative Devices
• Research for Enquiry in Childhood Education Studies
• Supporting Parents and Children (0-3 years)

Plus one option from:

• The Role of Creativity and Play in Childhood Education
• Professional Management within Practice 2

YEAR 3

• Contemporary Issues in International Contexts
• Equity and Inclusive Practice in Education
• Dissertation

Plus one option from:

• Children’s Voice
• Health and Wellbeing in Context

Note: Indicative information only. Actual timetables and assessment regimes will be issued at your induction. Please be aware that methods of delivery for this course may be altered due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic – for the most up-to-date information, please refer to our website: www.ucb.ac.uk

TEACHING

You will be expected to engage with online learning and teaching materials throughout the course, with online twilight classes and support sessions you are expected to attend (including distance learning classes, assignment support and individual tutorials with an allocated personal tutor). For your final year dissertation, you will be supported through five 15-minute meetings with your supervisor via web conferencing software.

All modules include:

• A mixture of pre-recorded content to access independently or ‘live’ webinar sessions where you can meet module-teaching staff
• Online video/text discussion forums where you can meet and work with other students

All ‘live’ classroom sessions will be video recorded for posterity.

You will need to allocate a minimum number of study hours per week, though some weeks may require you to extend beyond this, particularly when you are engaged in completing assessments.

ASSESSMENT

Estimated breakdown of assessment for this degree course:

• Coursework – 100%

Assessments will employ a diverse range of technologies for which you will be offered pre-tutoring during your induction.

Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.