BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
Why choose this course?
- You'll have lots of career opportunities in early years as it is a fast growing area of employment within the UK.
- You can study for the Early Years Teacher qualification during this course. It's essential if you want to work at leadership level.
- This course achieved 92% overall satisfaction in the 2012 National Student Survey.
- We offer a Practitioner Options route which embeds a childcare qualification with Department for Education recognition. You may also be able to study for the Early Years Professional Status, essential if you want to be a curriculum leader in early years settings.
- You can study this course part time or full time, so that your learning can fit around your other commitments
- You can also study Early Childhood Studies as a joint honours if you wish to combine your study with another subject area such as psychology, or biology for example.
- There’s a study abroad opportunity at stage two through the Erasmus Exchange.
Fact file
UCAS code: X310
Start date: September full time. September or January part time
Course length: Three years full time or up to six years part time
Campus: Kedleston Road, Derby
Faculty: Education, Health and Science
This course is available to international students
You can also study Early Childhood Studies (Joint Honours) as part of a Joint Honours degree.
About this course
You will develop your understanding of early childhood from birth to eight years, exploring how children develop, learn and think. You will explore the importance of identifying and meeting children’s needs and consider the challenges and opportunities in children’s services, looking at childhood from a range of perspectives. We’ll encourage you to use your own experiences to enhance your knowledge and develop your understanding of early childhood.
To make sure that you're ready to work in early years when you graduate, you'll undertake a placement for two days each week. This will develop your observational reflective skills, as well as your practical knowledge of different settings. You'll also have the opportunity to on visits to places like the Museum of Childhood, Think Tank Museum and Eureka Childrens Museum.
During stage one your lectures will be taught throughout the day, but once you get to stage two and three, your lectures may also take place in the evening. You will also have an opportunity to study abroad in the second semester of stage two. Under the Erasmus exchange scheme, we have agreements with Universities in Amsterdam and Brussels which will really enhance your employability when you graduate.
You'll be studying an up to date course which is listed in the new qualifications list for those settings delivering the Early Years Foundation stage. This means it is considered full and relevant by the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC).
You'll look at the importance of early childhood and consider children's holistic needs and how these can be met by professionals working in early years. The role of professional and personal development is an important theme. You'll be able to use your experience with young children to enhance your knowledge and develop your understanding of early childhood.
What you will cover
Stage one
You'll study these modules:
- Self Management and Study Skills
- Early Language and Communication
- Play and Creativity
- The Growing Child
- Early Emotional and Social Development
- The Emerging Practitioner
Stage two
You'll study these modules:
- Children's Health
- Promoting Children's Rights and Welfare
- The Early Years Researcher
- The Developing Practitioner
And you'll choose two modules from:
- Children Across the World
- Creativity in Children's Early Learning
- Wellbeing from Birth
- Family Dynamics
- The Young Child in School
- Children's Literature in a Digital Age
- Children in a Multimedia World
Stage three
You'll study these modules:
And you'll choose two modules from:
Entry requirements
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required at the point of accepting a place at the University. The Disclosure and Barring Service was established when the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) merged in 2012 and will now provide the criminal records checking service for this programme.
Our entry requirements are usually 260 UCAS points, of which at least 220 will be from your core A2s (full A levels) or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers etc.
We'll accept up to 40 points towards the total from level 3 qualifications such as AS levels (where those AS levels are not taken on to A2 level), the Extended Project or Music qualifications.
We don't accept points from Key Skills Level 3. If you have any questions about what is or isn't accepted, please contact our Admissions team.
We also accept the Access to HE Diploma.
Your points at level 3 will be in addition to 5 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent level 2 qualifications.
The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.
How to apply
UK/EU students
- Full time students looking to start the course in September, should apply for this course through UCAS.
- Student looking to start the course in January or study part time should apply directly to the University.
International students
- If you want to start in September, you usually need to apply online through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
- If you want to start a course in January then apply directly to the University.
Information for international applicants
Fees and finance
Fees for 2013/14
This is a classroom based course.
UK/EU students
- Full time: £7,700 (each year)
- £965 per module (you usually take 18 of these modules in total)
International students
- Full time: £9,945 (per year)
*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.
How you will learn
How you'll learn
You'll be taught through lectures, seminar activities and tutorials to support you through your assessments and group work.
The bulk of the course is delivered on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. As a new student you'll study throughout the day whereas when you progress into stage two and three you may be taught throughout the day or evening. Whilst the majority of modules are taught, the professional practice modules and research modules are much more self directed and promote independent learning. You'll be encouraged to undertake personal development planning throughout the course and produce action plans related to career goals and progression.
How you're assessed
You will be assessed using essays, reports, posters, presentations, case studies, online tests and independent research. You won’t have to take any exams.
Careers and employability
You'll gain the skills and approaches necessary to work with young children in early years settings. You could work in the private, voluntary or independent sectors or join a graduate employment scheme.Many modules are enriched by visiting speakers who bring their work experience to our students. This provides opportunities for students to consider a wide range of future career options.
Other options include working in the care sector, counselling, criminal justice, welfare services, charities and the voluntary sector. You could also work in a hands-on research or policy capacity with diverse groups including children and young people.
You can also apply to study a wide range of postgraduate courses including our PGCE Primary or Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (Further Education and Skills) when you graduate.
What our students say
Jane Blant, current student studying part time
"University also helped me to find my love of writing, and although it has been challenging working, studying, and writing, it has been a fantastic experience and I know it has made me a better nursery nurse for it." Jane has had three articles published in Nursery World and the Early Years Education magazines. Read her full story here.
"Because I didn't start higher education until my early forties I sometimes can't believe it is me who is achieving this, all those years of not knowing I could study at university never mind do so well at it!"
Debra Dawson, one of our graduates
"This course is stretching my thinking and learning with regards to child development."
Kay Culow, one of our graduates
"A welcoming environment to study in and the part time option has been such a great opportunity esecially as I have young children."
Carol Lewis, one of our graduates
"I have really enjoyed my time on the course and tutors are so helpful and always available for that extra support."
Laura Gill, one of our graduates
"The staff are friendly and supportive and make you feel comfortable and part of a team."
Joanna Antoniadou, one of our graduates
