BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (0-8 years) (Direct entry into stage two or three of the course)

When can you start this course? | Fees | Entry requirements

You can also start this course in January

Why choose this course?

In this year's National Student Survey, 93% of our students said they were highly satisfied with our course.
You can study for our Early Years Professional Status qualification during this course, which is essential if you want to work at leadership level in an early years setting.
You won't have to take any exams. We use other ways to assess you including essays, posters and presentations.
You can study this course full time or part time, so you can fit your studies around your other commitments. And you can even choose to study in the day or evening.

About the course

During this course you'll 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 make sure that you're ready to work in early years when you graduate, you'll take a placement for two days each week, if you're not already working in the sector. This will develop your observational and reflective skills, as well as your practical knowledge of different settings. You'll also have the opportunity to go on visits to places like the Museum of Childhood, Think Tank Science Museum and Eureka Children's Museum.

Our lecturers are from a variety of backgrounds including early years and primary teaching, social work, nursery management, health visiting, social sciences, law and ICT, so you can be sure you'll gain a wide range of knowledge and expertise. You'll be assessed using essays, reports, posters, presentations, case studies, online tests and independent research. You won't have to take any exams.

If you're already working and are registered in the early years setting, you'll need to show us evidence of your enhanced current criminal records check. It's also important that you have some contact with children, to help you to complete the practical modules.

Find out more about what subjects and modules you'll be studying...

Your career

Currently, political interest and funding are focused on education and care for children under five, creating a wide range of opportunities in this area.

When you graduate you'll have gained all the necessary skills to work with young children in early years settings, so you could go straight into work or look at career progression. Or you might choose to enhance your career by further study. Some of our students go on to become teachers by completing our PGCE Primary or Graduate Teacher Programme. And some go on to further training in areas such as social work or nursing for example.

What our students say

Laura Gill, one of our graduates.

Rizwan Ahmed, one of our graduates.
"This course has made me realise how passionate I am to work with 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."

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."

Joanna Antoniadou, one of our graduates.
"The staff are friendly and supportive and make you feel comfortable and part of a team."

"You all delivered brilliant and informative lectures and I'm sorry they ended. I can't wait to move on to my GTP [Graduate Teaching Programme]."

"I have just been offered a position as a Performance Management Officer within the Children's Directorate. I would like to thank you for all your support"