BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies

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.

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.

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:

• Critically Reflective Practitioner‌
• Contesting Childhood‌
• Independent Study‌

And you'll choose two modules from:

• ‌Children's Voices - Listening and Experiences
• Leadership in Early Childhood Education and Care‌
• Health and Inequality‌ in Children's Lives
• International Perspectives‌
• Creative Possibilities‌
• Child Protection‌

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.

General undergraduate entry requirements

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'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.

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.

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