Course overview

Early Childhood Studies is a developing area for academic study based on an interdisciplinary approach to the understandings of what it is to be a young child in todays society. Consideration of experiences in the home, early education and care settings and transitions to school will enable exploration of the wider picture of what it means to be a child in society and how this picture has emerged. This multidisciplinary study draws on aspects of education, sociology, psychology, health, welfare and social policy, to consider how constructs of early childhood have emerged. Students will examine the various ways children and childhood can be constructed as well as exploring current issues, theories and research in the area. There are opportunities to gain European and global perspectives through our links to other institutions.

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies focuses on children under the age of eight, and specifically the care and education requirements necessary for working with under 5s and reflects the changing requirements of the Early Years Workforce and the growing academic arena for the study of early childhood and early childhood services.

We intend that our graduates are not just well informed of current policy and inter-agency practice, but are sufficiently knowledgeable about theory and alternative models to be reflective practitioners in whatever field they choose to work in.

Find out more

For further information and advice, please contact our Admissions Centre (details above). As the support base for all our students, the Admissions Centre is happy to help you with your enquiry, through to completion of application forms and offer.

Course content

Year one

In the first year of this degree, you will be introduced to a broad range of skills and knowledge that will support you in your study. The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies focuses on constructs of childhood, child development and how young children needs are met, particularly within the context of the family and early years settings. You will study:

• Child and Youth Development
• Perspectives of Early Childhood
• Health & Wellbeing of the Child and Young Person
• The Young Child in the Family and Early Years Setting
• Developing Professional Perspectives
• Diversity and Inclusion

Assessment artefacts and seminar activities are sometimes differentiated to allow for focus on the age range that is of primary interest to you. An innovative collaboration with students in Germany allows consideration of European perspectives.

Year two

The second year of this degree aims to consolidate the themes introduced in the first year. Study of how government policy influences and impacts practice will be considered in greater depth. The use of options at this stage will enable you to start focusing on a specific area of interest. You will also have the opportunity to experience paid or voluntary work with children if you take the Life Elective in an option this year.

Core units include:

• Professional Involvement with Children and Young People
• Research with Children and Young People - this unit provides the context for starting to think about your dissertation
• Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood

Year three

Your third year will give you the opportunity to specialise in an area of interest through your choice of dissertation and a further range of optional units.

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies' final year focuses on curriculum requirements, policies and the rights of the child within the following two units:

• Promoting Early Learning (0 - 3)
• Developing & Extending Young Children's Thinking for Learning

Optional units

Below is a flavour of the optional units available for this degree:

• Creativity
• Development of Learning
• Children’s Literature
• Digital Natives
• Gender and Education
• Just Playing? 
• Who’s in Charge?
• Behaviour Matters
• Children with (Severe) Learning Difficulties
• Issues Relating to Children and Young People’s Mental Health
• Working with Looked After Children

Teaching and assessment

The School of Education and Continuing Studies (SECS) sits within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. We pride ourselves on the quality of teaching, learning and student support on this course. With many vocationally focused courses in the department, you will benefit from this firm grounding in practice. The course is taught by people with significant experience, both as practitioners and qualified academics, actively researching the field.

At each level, you will study units worth a total of 120 credits. You will need to acquire 360 credits to achieve an honours degree. Learning takes place within a variety of contexts and includes group-based activities, seminars, tutorials, individual and group presentations, poster presentations, projects, e-learning activities and lectures. You will have many opportunities to contribute during sessions and will gain greatly from participation.

We use a range of assessment methods, including essays, seminars and other presentations, tests and a dissertation. Your learning experience as an undergraduate will be different to pre-degree study and you will be fully supported at all stages, with an expectation that in turn you are proactive in your own learning. As well as learning study skills within units and a unit on research skills, you will be given assessment guidelines for each unit and are assigned a personal tutor who will help ensure that you realise your academic potential.

Career prospects

Studying in the school of education may lead you onto a variety of career pathways, some of which may require Post Graduate study. Students on the BA courses have gone on to train as early years and primary teachers, gain professional recognition in the Early Years sector, study as Speech and Language therapists or undertake a masters degree in Social Work . They are able to apply for a  range of other roles in education, social care and health related areas. Please note that this course does not provide Qualified Teacher Status. 

Career pathways made available by this degree include:

• education and training
• healthcare and health promotion
• social work
• the police
• work in the voluntary sector
• family support service

Examples of jobs may include early years practitioners, children’s centre workers, play workers and additionally new jobs are developing rapidly in response to current government initiatives in both areas.

Students may want to continue their studies and the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree can provide a route for the Early Years Teaching (EYT) programme, or a route to Qualified Teacher Status in primary or early years education. Professional career routes such as these require students to satisfy certain criteria in addition to an honours degree before commencement, but careers advice within the University will help you make informed choices. You may wish to consider further study within the Master's framework.

Facilities and features

Portsmouth has a reputation for providing a supportive and friendly atmosphere in which its students can quickly settle and enjoy their studies. You will have access to a full range of support services for personal issues and academic study. Personal tutors will help you access the support you may find helpful, while you will also have access to appropriate University resources, including our main library and computing facilities, which are open seven days a week.

The School of Education and Continuing Studies staff are all experts in a range of appropriate subject specialisms. Their enthusiasm and motivation means you will get the most out of your time with us.

Entry requirements

View all the entry requirements for BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies for the academic year 2013/14 (opens in new window).