Early Childhood Studies

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: 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 Standard Core: Educational Inquiry: Literature, Methods and Early Findings; Innovative Research Dissemination for Professional Practice; The Graduate Professional

Year Three Standard Optional: Mental Health Practice Provision; Specialist Skills: Employability and Enterprise in SEND Services

Year Three 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 Three 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

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project, and work-based practice observations (graduate competencies). The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.