Early Childhood Studies (Joint Honours)

UCAS code: Y002

Start date: September

Course length: Three years full time or up to six years part time

Campus: Kedleston Road, Derby

This course is available to international students

This course will enable you to develop your understanding of early childhood from birth to eight years old, discovering how children develop, learn and think. You'll explore the importance of meeting children's needs and how these needs can be met. You'll consider the challenges and opportunities in children's services, and look at childhood from a range of perspectives. We'll encourage you to use your own experiences in early years to enhance your knowledge and develop your understanding of early childhood.

To provide you with an insight into working in the early years sector, you'll have the option to take a stand alone joint honours work experience module. This can be discussed with a Joint Honours academic counsellor. You'll develop your observational and reflective skills, as well as your practical knowledge of early years settings.

You'll be taught by lecturers from backgrounds including early years, primary teaching, social work, nursery management, health visiting, social sciences, law and ICT, so you'll gain a wide range of knowledge and expertise.

• BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies and American Studies
• BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies and Applied Criminology
• BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies and Biology
• BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies and Education Studies
• BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies and English
• BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies and Geography
• BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies and Mathematics
• BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies and Psychology
• BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies and Zoology

Our entry requirements are usually 220-300 UCAS points, of which at least 200-240 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 60 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.

This course will prepare you for a career in the private, voluntary or independent sectors, and with further postgraduate training, teaching and social work. If you want to become a teacher, this course will prepare you so that you can go on to study either our Graduate Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector to teach adults, or our PGCE Primary to become a primary school teacher.

You'll develop your own knowledge, skills and confidence in ways that are looked for in a wide range of early years management and services. You could progress onto our Early Years Professional Status which will enable you to lead practice across early years and mentor other practitioners.

Ioanna Antoniadou, one of our recent graduates says:
"The staff are friendly and supportive, and they make you feel comfortable."

Kay Cullow, one of our graduates.
"This course is stretching my thinking and learning with regards to child development."

Carol Lewis, 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."

Laura Gill, 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."