BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies

Do you dream of working with young children, in a children’s centre, nursery or school setting or as a social worker, teacher, psychologist or researcher? Wherever you want to end up, BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies is a great place to start. A combination of academic knowledge and practical skills makes graduates from this course stand out from the crowd.

Where can your early childhood studies degree take you?

• Explore the relationships between play and learning in your own studies as well as in child development
• Expand your options beyond traditional teaching and open up further career opportunities in education, social care, community work, psychology, management and research.
• See for yourself how theories and policies are applied in practice by visiting a wide range of provision for children and families.
• Learn on the job during the work-based learning placement. You will gain the practical skills employers are looking for.
• Opportunities to extend your early years practice through assessment in placement; gaining valuable experience in working with children and families.
  
• Take a broader view of children’s development by studying the subject in practical, historical and international contexts.
• Develop essential skills through a variety of coursework-based assessments – from essays, surveys and child observations to group presentations and video commentaries.
• Learn from experienced lecturers and tutors who are actively engaged in national and international research projects.
• Make the most of the opportunities presented by being part of a department that has strong links with universities in Europe, Canada, Africa and the USA and through the International Students’ Exchange Programme.

• Year 1

• In the first year, you’ll get an overview of the factors that affect children’s lives and begin considering your own professional identity within the sector. You’ll explore how children grow and develop, drawing on the latest research around thinking, playing and learning. You’ll also gain an understanding of different approaches to observing children. Modules on social policy and equality and diversity will introduce you to key contemporary issues.

  Core modules

  • An Introduction to Early Childhood Studies (EEC411)

    A series of lectures given by members of the Early Childhood Studies team, focusing on their own research, interests and enthusiasms, and weekly seminars, will introduce students to the wide range of areas of study which are included in Early Childhood Studies. The diversity of interests and approaches introduced in lectures will be balanced by process of developing study skills and dispositions and integrating themes and ideas by means of active engagement in small seminar groups.

  • Understanding Development; Biology and Psychology (EEC414)

    In this module we will explore the nature of the disciplines of biology and psychology. We will look at how biologists and psychologists study young children. We will look at some current biological and psychological perspectives of child development. Students will carry out psychological tasks with young children and reflect upon the implications of what they have found and the nature of their own learning and understanding of children and themselves.

  • Politics for Equality (EEC415)

    This module explores the concepts of equality, inclusion, diversity and anti-discrimination and investigates cultural structures, discrimination, social exclusion, power and participation. Students will consider the impact of political and policy developments at global, European, UK and local levels drawing on theoretical frameworks and real examples, including students own experiences, to explore how culture and policy impact on young children and their families.

  • Places and Spaces for Learning and Playing (EEC416)

    Throughout this module students will be introduced to a range of places and spaces that facilitates children's learning and play. There will be opportunities to link these experiences with academic theories with an aim to support the students' skills in noticing and understanding the process of learning.

  • Children in Society (EEC423)

    This module will focus on the complexity and diversity of young children’s experiences of growing up in contemporary societies. It will examine how children’s everyday lives are shaped through a wide range of structural influences and through children’s own active engagement with their worlds.

  • Multi Professional Perspectives (EEC432)

    An introduction to the diversity of early childhood settings, their structures and the varied heritages of the practitioners that work with them/in them. Notions such as communication, team work, working with parents and as part of a multi-professional team are explored along with an understanding of self as a reflective practitioner

• Year 2

• Your second year focuses on developing your analytical and reflective skills, and expands your hands-on experience during the work based learning module. You will continue to develop your understanding of research while studying children’s development and communication. Throughout this year you will be encouraged to make links with your learning in practice and your academic learning, which will enable you to have a greater understanding of young children and their families lives.

  Core modules

  • Introduction to Research in Early Childhood Studies (EEC521)

    This module is an introduction to research methods and approaches in Early Childhood Studies. Students will critically examine methodological approaches and existing research studies in the field of early childhood. Students will consider how theoretical positions, practice and policy can shape research agendas and how research looks to inform both policy and practice.

  • Perspectives on Child Development (EEC524)

    The module will draw on approaches from Sociology, Psychology, Education and Biology to explore physical, emotional, social and cultural influences on child development. Multidisciplinary study of early childhood and children's roles as active agents in their own development will be emphasised. Students will construct an informed personal perspective on early development, based on a critical and playful understanding of relationships between theoretical models and research findings.

  • Developing Communication in the Early Years (EEC527)

    This module has two related purposes: to give students a sound understanding of how children develop their ability to communicate and to help them develop their own communication skills. Language development is a central focus, but set within a wider understanding of different forms of communication.

  • Work Based Learning (in a setting with young children and/or families) (EEC566)

    This module is intended to provide students with the opportunity to experience work-based learning opportunities in a setting which involves work (paid or unpaid) with young children (0-8) or with children and their families. There is recognition that such work-based learning can take place in a wide variety of situations and settings, but for this module it will normally involve more than one child and more than one family. A reflective approach to this learning experience provides students with the opportunity to develop their professional practice.

  Optional modules

  • Working with a Range of Professionals (EEC522)

    This module is intended for those who wish to understand more about working with other professionals whose work impacts on young children and their families in some way; in Case Conferences; strategy meetings as well as report writing, producing and implementing developmental and/or safeguarding plans, etc.

  • Work Based Learning Plus (in a setting with young children and/or families) (EEC566PLUS)

    This module is intended to provide students with the opportunity to maximise professional learning opportunities during a work-place experience (paid or unpaid) with young children (0-5) or with children and their families. There is recognition that such work-based learning can take place in a wide variety of situations and settings, but for this module it will enable students to meet the Early Years Educator Standards. A reflective approach to this learning experience provides students with the opportunity to develop their professional practice.

  • Service Learning for Sustainable Change Challenge Module (EDST517)

    Through this module you will be thinking about the big challenges of today in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through a service learning and collaborative sustainable education approach, you will be creatively engaged with pressing issues across the city and local area in order to facilitate learning that helps us make positive change together. This module will enable you to reflect on your development as: competent and confident professionals, sustainable and global citizens, resilient and thriving individuals, and critical and creative learners.

  • Child Well-being in the Developing World Challenge Module (EEC545)

    Through this module you will be thinking about the big challenges facing young children today in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through reflecting on childhood and the well-being of young children in the developing world (defined as those that are low on the UN Human Development Index), we will be looking critically at issues such as poverty, global inequalities, access to resources, education, health, conflict, livelihoods and sustainability.

  • Creating Therapeutic Spaces in Education and Communities (EDST526)

    This module aims to conceptualise Inclusion through a broad lens, and to explore therapeutic principles, methods and spaces and the role/s they can play, to encourage and enable social and educational inclusion. It will challenge participants to examine their understanding of key terms and their knowledge of a range of therapeutic approaches.

• Final year

• In the final stage of the course you will be helped to make the transition from ‘knowledge consumer’ to ‘knowledge producer’. You will use your developing knowledge and experience to challenge, extend and critique other people’s ideas and your own. You will plan and carry out a research project to develop and disseminate understanding of what you have identified as an area of interest and you will continue to develop your capacity to act as a strong advocate for young children and families.

  Core modules

  • Research in Early Childhood Studies (EEC601)

    This module is an introduction to research in Early Childhood Studies. Students will critically examine a variety of approaches and methods of data collection and consider the ethical issues involved in carrying out investigations in naturalistic settings. It provides students with the opportunity to design an investigation in their chosen aspect of ECS, carry out a sustained and rigorous piece of work, and analyse and discuss their findings through both a written study in appropriate ways using ICT and an oral presentation.

  • Adults' Concepts of Childhood: their impact on the past and present treatment of children (EEC603)

    This module will explore how childhood and adulthood are related concepts with deep historical roots. It will explain contemporary changes in young children's lives by tracing the historical forces that have shaped different concepts of childhood, defining the ways in which adults think, act and behave with young children.

  • Current Issues in Early Childhood: Politics, Welfare and Society (EEC645)

    This module will enable participants to focus on current debates related to early childhood studies with a focus on the political, welfare and society. By its nature the content of the module will change each year, as issues change, new understandings emerge and different perspectives apply. Key social, political and educational issues that affect the lives of young children, 0-8, and their families will be studied in this module. Some comparisons will be made with Europe and other countries. Students will be encouraged to develop a considerable personal perspective on social questions related to early childhood services.

  Optional modules

  • Education for the 21st century: Global, Sustainable and Wild (EDST617)

    This module offers an integrated approach to key themes in envisioning future fit education; namely global citizenship, sustainable development and environmental care. It asks the learner to explore contemporary educational issues such as the impact of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Global Action Programme for ESD. It critically and creatively considers the role of compassionate engagement in education with regard to ecological literacy, global citizenship, human rights, social justice, peace and planetary well-being.

  • Enabling Environments for Young Children's Learning (EEC627)

    This module considers issues surrounding the spaces in which adults interact with children in teaching and learning relationships. Students will examine governments' and practitioners' beliefs and principles that influence the creation of these `spaces' and the pedagogic practices within them

  • Children and Risk (EEC638)

    Looking at the complexity of child protection issues, within a personal, institutional and community context, addressing the issue of risk and the decision-making process the right decision against the defensible decision, in order to develop a personal, and critical perspective on issues of protection and control. In addition an exploration of the concept of Risk In the wider context.

  • Voice and Participation in Education and Society (EDST627)

    The module engages with a range of approaches to, and understandings of, inclusive values, practices and cultures within educational settings. The module is organised around two central questions. First, What is the difference between being in and being of an educational setting? Second, how might we best live and learn together and how can inclusive practice be developed by focussing on issues of voice and participation in education and society.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies programme specification_6776

UCAS tariff

96 - 112

Academic requirements

A Level: From a minimum of two A levels. Other combinations will be considered. Preference for social science, health and social care, early years, childcare subjects/qualifications but others are considered.

T Level: Preference is given to education, childcare, social science or health and social care but others are considered. A minimum of a Pass (C or more on the core) is required.

BTEC: DMM-MMM. Preference for social science/health & social care/early years/childcare qualifications but others are considered

BTEC National Diploma modules
If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

International baccalaureate: 26–27 overall. Preference for social science/health and social care/early years/childcare qualifications but others are considered.
English accepted within - Advanced Level = 4, Standard Level = 5
If overseas and not studying English within IB – MUST have IELTS: 6.0 overall with 5.5 in all elements

Pass Access to HE Diploma with at least 33 credits at Merit or Distinction

Third year entry possible with foundation degree or HND in a related subject.

Although it is preferable to achieve GCSE grade C/4 or above in English language and Mathematics for this course, it is not mandatory and the admissions tutor will consider alternative grades. If you choose to go on to study a PGCE, EYITT or a health-related course you will require them. Please contact the Admissions Team on +44 1752 585858 or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk, where a member of the team can offer you further advice.

Equivalent qualifications may be considered. Alternatively, if you have any questions or concerns about meeting the entry requirements listed above we would encourage you to contact the Admissions Team on +44 1752 585858 or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk, where a member of the team can offer you further advice. Or you may like to consider our BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Foundation course.

English language requirements

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

Non-academic requirements

• All candidates will be required to complete a satisfactory DBS (formerly CRB) Enhanced Disclosure, register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority and complete a criminal convictions self-declaration form.
• All candidates will be expected to demonstrate an active interest in work with young children, evidenced through placement/practice experience.

For a full list of all acceptable qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.