Program Overview

EARLY CHILDHOOD

The undergraduate programme in Early Childhood Studies provides a higher level of academic study that will extend your knowledge and understanding of children in their early years. We hope to ignite your curiosity as we explore young children’s development and interaction with the world and that in understanding the inequalities that children face locally and globally, you will grow as advocates for young children’s needs and rights.

The Early Childhood team aim to provide a stimulating and supportive learning environment for all our students through a high level of tutor support, access to exceptional University resources and engagement with our multidisciplinary teaching team with wide experience in research, practice and policy in the field. Together with the vital ingredient of your commitment as a student, these elements will enrich your learning experience. We also aim to enhance this where possible through engaging invited speakers and field visits to relevant spaces in Liverpool, a city rich in community connection and cultural experience.

The degree is taught by academics from a wide variety of backgrounds, including Sociology, Education, Philosophy and Psychology. The teaching team are all actively involved in research and have published in their specialist fields. They are all members of the thriving Liverpool Hope Childhood Research Forum and contribute to a range of research conferences both nationally and internationally. This experience provides an informed and supportive learning environment for the student characterised by depth and challenge.

For Single Honours students there is a compulsory placement as part of your degree. The placement will enable you to enhance your understanding of key themes and provides you with an insight into the professional context. For Combined Honours students the placement is optional. The Single Honours programme also offers the option to obtain separate professional certification as a graduate practitioner through assessment against the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies.

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

Special Educational Needs (SEN) at Liverpool Hope University is an interdisciplinary subject underpinned by the work of the Centre for Culture and Disability Studies (CCDS). Studying Special Educational Needs at Liverpool Hope University will enable you to develop an understanding of the complex relationship between disability and society. You will explore the ways that disability studies can inform our understanding of the medical and social models of disability and learn the importance of this in working with children with so-called special educational needs. The degree incorporates insights from education, the arts, humanities and health care, to ensure you gain a critical understanding of the relationship between disability and education.

A central aspect of the course is an understanding of medical and social constructions of Special Educational Needs from a historical as well more recent perspectives. You will gain a knowledge and understanding of the importance of cultural representations in shaping individual and societal relationships with disability.

By completing this degree, you will have gained an awareness of global perspectives on disability studies, inclusion, education and society as well as an understanding of the role of disabled people as activists working for equality. This degree will enable you to develop your professional and personal confidence in advocacy and education.  You will enter your professional life recognising the importance of criticality, compassion and understanding of your work with, and on behalf of, those who are disabled and/or identified as having a special educational need.