Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Studies – Birmingham City University, UK
Asian International College
Key Information
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Campus location
Singapore, Singapore
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
24 - 36 months
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
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Introduction
Awarded by Birmingham City University
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Early Childhood Studies (BA ECS) degree is designed to enable and equip students to become confident, competent and reflective practitioners in the early year’s field. It is important that, through a carefully constructed programme, students gain a depth of understanding about early childhood and the factors that impact on, and influence the lives of young children and their families. It is through building an understanding of how children develop and learn; the development of skills to work with families; an insight into the importance of multi-agency working along with a knowledge of the theories that underpin work with young children, and how these translate into practise that students will be prepared for professional work with young children.
Additionally, the programme provides an opportunity to develop key employability skills valued by employers; skills of teamwork, independent work, presentation, role play and an ability to articulate effectively in a variety of contexts.
However, the programme goes beyond preparing students for the early years workforce; it is our belief that students should explore wider issues regarding the holistic nature of early childhood studies, including the health and well-being of young children. The programme ensures that the students acquire and strengthen transferable academic skills that will establish them as reflective, critical and analytical graduates who are prepared to access and contribute to scholarly discourses in the early years' field.
About Birmingham City University, UK
Birmingham City University was established according to the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 as the University of Central England in Birmingham approved by the Privy Council on 16 June 1992. The university was renamed on 01 October 2007 as Birmingham City University.
In The Guardian University Guide, a prominent national league table, Birmingham City University is ranked 29th of 77 institutions in the ‘Education’ subject area.
The university has a large number of Collaborative Partnerships overseas mainly in the following countries – China, Malaysia, India, Middle East, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong.
Other Rankings, Accreditations and Membership:
- Ranked Top 90 in the Guardian University League Table (2016)
- Member of AACSB (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business)
- Member of The Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS)
- Member of European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD)
- Member of Universities United Kingdom (UUK)
- Member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
- Accredited by The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) for the Marketing Related Programme
- Listed Center by CIPD to provide Human Resource Management related degree programme
- Approved institute by Joint Academic Stage Board offering Qualifying Law Degree
- Recognised by Bar Council of India
- Authorised Legal Practice Course Provider by Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
Requirement for Award
The award of Bachelor’s Degree with Honours will be made if you satisfy the requirements for the award. The award is governed by Standard Undergraduate Regulations (SUAR) and in order to achieve the honours degree, you must gain 360 credits. Each module carries a specified number of credits and the course is designed to give you 120 credits at each level of study.
The final award is classified as follows:
- First Class an average mark of 70% or above
- Second Class Division 1 an average mark of 60% or above but below 70%
- Second Class Division 2 an average mark of 50% or above but below 60%
- Third Class an average mark of 40% or above but below 50%
The award of BA in Early Childhood Studies will be awarded if you gain a minimum of 300 credits with at least 60 at level 6.
This course is not accredited by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA). Graduates who wish to work in the local early childhood sector will need to submit an application to ECDA for Teacher Registration via a preschool. Approval by ECDA will be subjected to the applicant meeting the requirements for Teacher Registration.
Delivery Mode and Assessment
The course is delivered through a variety of engaging, interactive and hands-on modes, which include face-to-face sessions, small group discussions, directed tasks/individual study.
The close links between teaching, learning and assessment will be emphasised throughout the course. The development of a variety of assessment tasks integrated with the learning and teaching programme will ensure that you are given relevant and meaningful activities with specific outcomes. Many of your assessments will expect you to draw on your experience and work in placements.
Examples of assessment include:
- e-portfolios
- Reflective accounts
- Group Poster presentations
- Observational notes
- Case Study reports
- Seminar presentation
- Essays
- Digital presentations
Students will be given university’s access to Moodle virtual learning environment. Students will be able to access a wide range of e-books and journals.
Note: All learning materials and resources will only be available online in the Student Portal's Learning Resource.
Program Outcome
The aims of the programme are to:
- Enable students to become confident, well-educated and reflective early years practitioners with the skills to respond to developments in the field of early childhood studies;
- Develop student’s intellectual capabilities specifically related to early childhood;
- Enable the development of critical reasoning and analytical skills in relation to philosophical, sociological, historical, cultural, and psychological concepts within the context of early childhood;
- Equip students with skills, knowledge and understanding of how theory relating to child development and learning influences and informs current early years provision;
- Incorporate theoretical principles and knowledge of leadership, working with other professionals; working with families to meet needs of young children;
- Prepare students for their professional development and post-graduate career choices.
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Identify and reflect on how young children develop and learn, and be able to articulate the theoretical concepts which underpin and influence decisions regarding provision for young children and their families; from which students can formulate and articulate their own personal, professional philosophy;
- Be cognisant with, and evaluate factors that affect and impact children and their families within today’s multi-cultural society;
- Appraise and analyse contemporary early years issues both nationally and internationally;
- Recognise and demonstrate skills required to work both independently and as part of a team in a personal and professional context; valuing the work of other professionals in the early years' field.
Admissions
Curriculum
Year 1 (UK-NQF Level 4):
Principle module
- Introducing Professional Practice
Core 1
- Introduction to Child Development
Core 2
- Children's Play
Specific options:
- a) The Child's Learning Environment
- b) Principles of Inclusion
- c) Children and Childhood
120 credits
Year 2 (UK-NQF Level 5):
Principle module
- Developing Professional Practice
Core 1
- Further Child Development
Core 2
- Safeguarding Children
Core 3
- Researching Early Childhood
Specific options:
- a) The Child as a Creative Learner 15
- b) Developing Inclusion through Communication
- c) Children and their Families
120 credits
Year 3 (UK-NQF Level 6):
Principle module
- Researching Professional Practice
Core 1
- Managing Transitions
Core 2
- Contemporary Perspectives of Childhood
Core 3
- Towards Employment
Specific options:
- a) International Perspectives of Children's Learning
- b) Politics of Inclusion
- c) Children and their Worlds
120 credits