Program Overview

Early childhood continues to be a rapidly changing field in the local and global context.  Enhanced qualifications in this subject will support your career progression and employability whether you work in early childhood settings in the private, voluntary or public sectors in the United Kingdom or internationally.

At UEL we recognise that the study of early childhood needs a holistic perspective.  Early childhood practice is influenced by social, cultural, economic and political contexts.  Modules on this course will develop your knowledge of early childhood practice in a range of contexts and your research skills.  Assignments provide opportunities for you to apply advanced knowledge and research skills in practice in the context of employed or voluntary work.

We have an academic team with experience of early childhood practice, family support, early intervention, child rights services, informal education, policy development, service development and teaching in the early years.  Our team has worked in the private, voluntary and public sector in different contexts.  

Whichever direction you choose we can guide you, drawing on our national and international experience.  Like you we are passionate about early childhood.   The structure of the course enables you to follow and develop your own interests in early childhood supported by knowledge of theory and advanced research skills.   Our goal is to motivate and inspire you as an early childhood leader and practitioner.

The local, national and global perspectives of our course mean that your student group will be diverse.  In past years we have had students on the MA from the United States of America and China.

Please note that you will not be eligible for postgraduate loan funding if you receive APL/ACL credits.  Student Finance guidance states that eligible master's courses must be full, standalone courses worth 180 credits. The University of East London has a responsibility to notify Student Finance of any changes of circumstance, relating to student records throughout the academic year. 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

This MA will enable you to apply advanced knowledge and research issues relevant to early childhood in a range of early childhood settings where you work.

All modules are core:

• Critical Reflection on Leadership of Practice in Early Childhood
• Early Childhood Policy Development and Implementation
• Action Research: Leading Change in Early Childhood Leadership and Practice
• Research Methods in Early Childhood Leadership and Practice
• Dissertation in Early Childhood Leadership and Practice