BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
University of Portsmouth
Key Information
Campus location
Southsea, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 - 4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 9,250 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* for UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students/EU residents | £16,200/year: international students
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
If you want to help children have the best start in life, there are questions you need to explore. For example: how is their well-being affected by factors like digital technologies, race, culture and globalisation? In this course, you'll look for answers across a child's crucial first eight years.
On your BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree, you’ll discover how a child develops physically, emotionally and mentally. And with plenty of opportunities to work with children, you’ll practice how to make a positive difference for them. You can customise your degree and develop specialist skills that are valued in a variety of professions.
Course highlights
- Learn different ways to measure children’s development from birth to age 8, which you can apply in all kinds of careers
- Choose to do a different work placement in every year of study – from local schools to other organisations that put young children first.
- Develop new skills by working with children in our play and sensory rooms and in outdoor environments such as forests and beaches
- Look at how children are affected by society and politics, and discover what psychology and philosophy teach us about early years.
- Be taught by experts and hear from guest speakers with unique insights into childhood and education based on their lived experience.
- Gain transferable skills in psychology, sociology, teaching and learning, leadership and management, and creative thinking
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Modules
Year 1
Core modules
- Becoming a Researcher – 20 credits
- Child and Youth Development – 20 credits
- Health and Well-Being of the Child and Young Person – 20 credits
- Perspectives of Early Childhood Education – 20 credits
- Understanding Childhoods – 40 credits
Year 2
Core modules
- Global Childhoods – 20 credits
- Just Playing? – 20 credits
- Professional Practice in Early Childhood Education and Care – 20 credits
- Research with Children and Young People – 20 credits
Optional modules
- Children’s Literature – 20 credits
- Children’s Social Minds – 20 credits
- Development of Learning – 20 credits
- Digital Natives – 20 credits
- Gender, Race and Education – 20 credits
- Introduction to Teaching – 20 credits
- Modern Foreign Language (IWLP) – 20 credits
- The Sociology of Education – 20 credits
- Understanding Personal Life – 20 credits
- Engaged Citizenship In Humanities And Social Sciences – 20 credits
- Study Abroad – 60 credits
Sandwich year (optional)
Optional modules
- Work Placement Year – 120 credits
- Study Year Abroad – 120 credits
Year 3
Core modules
- Aspiring Leaders And Managers – 20 credits
- Promoting Confident, Capable Learners – 20 credits
Optional modules
- Behaviour Matters – 20 credits
- Fairytales and Folktales for Children – 20 credits
- Families in Need – 20 credits
- Going Outside Pedagogies for Outdoor Learning – 20 credits
- Introduction to Teaching – 20 credits
- Issues Relating to Children and Young People’s Mental Health – 20 credits
- Psychology in Practice – 20 credits
- Working with Looked After Children – 20 credits
- Major Project – 40 credits
- Risk, Relationships And Responsibilities In Universal Safeguarding – 20 credits
- Dissertation (Childhood Studies) – 40 credits
Placement year (optional)
After your second year of study, you can choose to do a paid placement year. This lets you put your new skills to work while developing valuable links with employers.
It’s fantastic for your CV and will help you stand out when applying for jobs after graduation.
With mentoring and support throughout your placement, you’ll have our support to get the most from your experience.
Previous placement destinations have included:
- family support hubs and children's centres
- remote learning support for children and families
- outdoor-based early years settings, such as forest schools
Career Opportunities
You’ll graduate ready for a rewarding career working with young children and families. From education to health, childcare to social care and more, your options will be broad.
What jobs can you do with an early childhood studies degree?
Our graduates work in a range of educational roles and settings:
- early years teaching – with Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS)
- primary teaching – with a PGCE or SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training) leading to QTS (Qualified Teacher Status)
- pedagogical leadership in early childhood
- early years provision and setting management
- forest school leadership and training
- freelance education and private tutoring
- special education and disability needs
Our graduates also pursue a variety of careers related to health and wellbeing:
- health and well-being promotion
- family support
- professional nannying
- therapeutic play – with further training
- playwork
Our graduates also become consultants and researchers into early years issues.
Ongoing careers support
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
Facilities
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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