Program Overview

Roehampton is internationally renowned for its work in early childhood studies. With a team of highly-regarded tutors, who are all experts in their specialisms, you will learn from some of the best in the field.

This degree will empower you with the knowledge and skills, confidence and resilience to act as an advocate for babies, young children, their families and communities.

You will develop an understanding of policy and practice, and learn to engage in critical inquiry and problem solving around key issues in early childhood.

Looking at the intellectual, emotional, physical, social and cultural experiences of young children, you will learn about promoting understanding and respect for young children and their families.
The course takes a distinctive Froebelian approach to the study of early years, grounded in the following principles:

• A holistic focus on babies, young children, their families and the communities they are part of, making links with past, present and future
• The centrality of play and (outdoor) environments for wellbeing and learning
• Continued development of understanding of professionalism and professional reflection and action, linking theory, research and practice
• A commitment to recognising and responding to the individual experiences and understandings of children
• Inclusion and connectedness, and a commitment to social justice in the field of early childhood

In years two and three, you can choose to follow one of the five pathways, or pick modules from each, giving you a diverse knowledge of:

• Working with under 3s
• Working with 3-8 year olds
• Working with children and families
• Working for children and families
• Research

You will leave with a broad understanding of early childhood studies, and be well equipped to follow a career in many areas relating to children.

Education Studies:
Education is something that happens at all stages of our lives, not just in childhood. It allows us to develop our thoughts and ideas, progress in our careers and learn more about the world in which we live.

Whether your interest lies in working with children with special educational needs, working in a museum as an educator, youth work, professional development in a private organisation, or making a contribution to the wider field of education, an BA Education Studies will give you a strong grounding for your career.

The degree is also excellent preparation for postgraduate teacher education and further study at master’s level.

An education studies degree at Roehampton offers you breadth of study, but also provides direction, by giving you three possible career pathways to pursue:

• Working in Education. This route will prepare you well for graduate employment in schools and other educational settings.
• Diversity and Inclusion in Education. The ideal pathway for graduate professional work, giving you the skills to work with the diversity of students that attend mainstream schools but also in more of a specialist unit or a central, local or private organisation.
• Researching Education. A good route if you are considering further training or academic study. You’ll be well qualifed to investigate issues and concerns as a professional working in a variety of organisations (such as schools, higher education colleges and charities in the voluntary or public sector).

Being a broad based programme, opportunities exist to develop knowledge, understanding and skills for a rich field of study, particularly across the three areas below. You'll study all three in your first year which will help you to make choices about optional modules in years two and three, depending upon your interests.

• Educational Contextual Landscapes; which explores discourses and theories of education, over time, key concepts and the influences that shape educational thinking and experiences.
• Development:- Teaching and Learning; which presents theories and application of knowledge, skills, pedagogy and practice. Students gain insights and become more aware of the challenges of working in a diverse set of education establishments, and other setting, and the need to promote inclusion for a range of individuals with a diverse set of needs. They are prepared for the world of work by helping them to become professionals, gaining the knowledge and skill to function successfully in organisations and learning about pedagogy.
• Educational Enquiry:- Research and Innovation; which increases appreciation for testing and examining theories, and practice, in different ways that help to inform knowledge, understanding and, potentially, influence the field. Students are required to develop their capacity for independent investigation, ability to engage in logical inquiry, and being a self-sufficient professional who can take responsibility for his/her own workload and professional development.

You will undertake a professional work placement, to gain valuable experience in the workplace, and put the theory you have learnt at Roehampton into practice. You can also choose to study abroad for a semester at one of our partner universities, to develop your cross-cultural skills and confidence, and learn about education in another culture.