University of Staffordshire - Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons)

University of Staffordshire

Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons)

Through our Early Childhood Studies degree, you will become an early years specialist and will learn how to make a difference in young lives. We cover the 0 to 8 age range, with a particular focus on preschool 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 well-being. 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 organizations, and charities. Some train to become teachers or move into social work. There’s no better time to specialize 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 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 that 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.

Upon successful completion of the 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)

Entry Requirements

  • Typical UCAS offer: 104-112 UCAS points 
  • A levels: CCC
  • BTEC: MMM
  • A minimum of GCSE in English, at Grade C or grade 4
  • A minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0, with 5.5 in reading, writing, speaking and listening.

All applicants are individually assessed on their qualifications, skills and experience.

We welcome applications from candidates with a CACHE level 3 Diploma.

Career Prospects

An Early Childhood Studies graduate can secure various job opportunities, including schools, nurseries, local authorities, health organizations, and charities. Many graduates pursue postgraduate studies, including primary and early years teacher training. Others work as education welfare assistants, nursery managers, or social work teams, supporting vulnerable children and their families. Students have access to Career Connect, a dedicated careers team.

Course Details

Early Childhood Studies is a program designed to develop knowledge and understanding of factors impacting children's learning, development, health, and wellbeing within the 0-8 age range. The program consists of three core modules shared with the Education Studies programme, which are studied collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary context. In the second and third years, students can elect to follow a specialist pathway to increase their knowledge in areas of professional interest. These pathways include Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), Mental Health and Wellbeing, and Education for our Sustainable World.
Students who choose this pathway have the opportunity to complete an outdoor learning module at the Forest School. They also gain an approved qualification that meets DfE criteria for counting in the EYFS staff:child ratios and earn the title of Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner through assessment against the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network (ECSDN) graduate competencies.
The course operates on a modular basis, providing flexibility and choice. Each year, students will study four modules of either 20 or 40 credits, with two modules per semester. Full-time students take modules worth 60 credits per semester, while part-time students take proportionately fewer credits per semester. All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole.
The course director, Jo, discusses the specialisms available from the second year. The tables provide an indicative list of the modules for the current academic year, each worth a specified number of credits. Teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. If a module cannot be run, the provider will advise and provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1

Children, Families And Society 40 credits
Keeping Children And Young People Safe In Education 20 credits
Play And Pedagogy With Babies And Young Children 40 credits
The Emergent Graduate Professional 20 credits

Year 2

Compulsory Modules:
Approaches To Play Therapy 20 credits
Contemporary Issues 20 credits
Developing Professional Practice 20 credits
Research Methods 20 credits
Optional Modules:
International Pedagogy And Practice 40 credits
Introduction To Special Educational Needs And Disability 40 credits
Mental Health In Context 40 credits
Principles Of Outdoor Pedagogy 40 credits

Year 3

Compulsory Modules:
Children's Voices 20 credits
Digital Future Of Education - 21St Century Learner 20 credits
Independent Research Project 40 credits
Pedagogical Leadership 20 credits
Optional Modules:
Approaches To Literacy And Numeracy Acquisition 20 credits
Educating For A Sustainable World 20 credits
Mental Health Practice Provision 20 credits
Send And The Changing World Of Work 20 credits

*The information’s are correct at the time of publishing, however it may change if university makes any changes after we have published the information. While we try our best to provide correct information, It is advisable to call us or visit university website for up to date information.

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