Program Overview

Through our Early Childhood Studies degree, you will become an early years specialist and will learn how to make a difference to young lives. We cover the 0 to 8 age range, with a particular focus on pre-school children.

There are few more rewarding roles than helping children to develop new skills, grow socially and emotionally, and overcome challenges. With our Early Childhood Studies degree you can prepare for roles like this.

You’ll develop a deep understanding of the factors which affect children’s learning, health and wellbeing. You will then put the theory into action, using teaching techniques, play therapy and other practical approaches.

You’ll also build experience across a range of placements. And there’s even an opportunity to spend a summer or a year abroad.

Our graduates go on to work in a variety of places, including schools and nurseries, local authorities, health organisations and charities. Some train to become teachers or move into social work.

There’s no better time to specialise in supporting children and their families.

We offer fantastic University facilities, including access to our £4.4 million Woodlands Day Nursery and Forest School. Our strong links with community groups mean you could also be working with real families alongside experienced professionals.

In your second and third years, you can tailor your degree to your individual interests. Either continue with a more general route, or choose one of the following pathways:

• Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Education for our sustainable world

The sustainability pathway includes outdoor learning using the amazing forest school setting.

For those exploring mental health and wellbeing, placements could focus on pastoral care or other aspects of education welfare and support. The SEND pathway provides an ideal platform for students wanting a career working with children who have additional needs.

The course will also cover the leadership and management of early years settings, what childhood looks like around the world, and early years policy.

As an Early Childhood Studies student, you will also be eligible to:

    Gain an approved qualification which meets the Department for Education criteria for counting in the EYFS staff-to-child ratios
    Earn the title of Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner through assessment against the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (ECSDN) graduate competencies.

On successful completion of study, depending on your choice of specialism pathway, we will issue you with one of the following awards:

• BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
• BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Special Education Needs and Disabilities)
• BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Mental Health and Wellbeing)
• Ba (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Education for our Sustainable World)