BA (Hons)
Early Childhood Studies with Psychology
Understanding the individual psychological needs of a child
Course Overview
Why take this course?
If you want to study the experiences and needs of children in their first years, with a prime focus on the way psychology affects a child’s development, this course is ideal for you. You will approach this by covering a range of themes including health, education and sociological matters.
You will study topics, ideas, models and theories relating to both past and present practice.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Study young people’s behaviour and responses in our psychology laboratories
- Volunteer at local schools or charities to gain work-based experience
- Attend lectures by guest speakers researching in the field
What opportunities might it lead to?
Studying in the School of Education and Continuing Studies can lead you onto a variety of career pathways, some of which may require postgraduate study. You will be able to apply for a range of roles in education, social care and health related areas.
Please note that this course does not provide Qualified Teacher Status.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- education and training
- family work
- healthcare and health promotion
- social work
- the police
- work in the voluntary sector
The course has a good range of units, focusing on practical hands-on experience and commentary on issues in the world today.
Victoria Byrne, early childhood studies student
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- X3C8
- Duration
- 3 years full time
- Entry
240-300 points from 3 A levels or equivalent.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
International full-time students: £10,500 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- humanities.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 8299 - Department
- School of Education and Continuing Studies
Subject:
Education, Childhood and Youth Studies
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- Hands-on opportunities to work in a relevant educational setting
- The support available to all students
- The flexibility of unit options that enable you to tailor your study to your own interests
Browse all courses in Education, Childhood and Youth Studies
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
In each year you will spend two-thirds of your study time in Early Childhood Studies courses, with the remaining third in units offered by the Psychology department. In your first year, you will study this programme:
- Child and Youth Development
- The Young Child in the Family & Early Years Setting
- Key Ideas in Animal and Human Psychology
- Psychology of Everyday Life
- Developing Professional Perspectives
- Inclusion and Diversity
Year two
In your second year you will consolidate the work of your first year, while making choices to focus your degree on a specific area of interest. You’ll also have the opportunity to experience paid or voluntary work with children and young people as part of the Faculty electives programme.
- Just Playing
- Research with Children
- 1 option from the following:
- Social and Developmental Psychology
- Individual Differences and Psychometrics
- Biological and Cognitive Psychology
- 2 x Options from the following:
- Childrens Literature
- Gender and Education
- Digital Natives
- Languages (University Wide Option)
- Learning from Experience
Year three
Your third year will give you the opportunity to specialise through your choice of dissertation topic and a further range of optional units.
- Dissertation (Early Childhood Studies)
- Promoting Early Learning (0-3)
- Extending Thinking for Learning in Young Children
- 2 x Options from the following:
- Health and Clinical Psychology
- Self and Subjectivity
- Language and Communication
- Forensic Psychology
Teaching and Assessment
We pride ourselves on the quality of teaching and student support on this course. Learning takes a variety of forms including group-based activities, seminars, tutorials, individual and group presentations, poster presentations, project work, elearning activities and lectures.
How are you assessed?
We use a range of assessment methods to ensure that you reach your academic potential. Here’s how we assess your work:
- essays
- group and individual presentations/projects
- tests
- a 10,000-word dissertation
Tutor's view
Joy Chalke
Early Childhood Studies
The BA Early Childhood Studies provides students with the opportunity to engage with the subject from a range of national and international perspectives which support a deepening knowledge and understanding of the constructions of the young child in the world today.
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
SECS
School of Education and Continuing Studies
3rd Space
A social learning space for you to study
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment
Study in SECS
The School comprises a body of enthusiastic staff with a range of expertise in the professional and academic sectors. We offer a welcoming learning environment, in a location near the heart of town, the student buildings and the sea front.
3rd Space
A social learning space for you to study or meet up with friends. Small and large groups, or individuals looking for a quiet space or discuss work can find a quiet area which can be screened off. Alternatively, grab a coffee or play a game of pool in between lectures.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
You will be well prepared for a career working with children, either in school settings or other government or private institutions; your degree may also lead you onto a variety of career pathways, some of which may require postgraduate study.
Graduates of courses in the School of Education have gone into roles as early years’ practitioners, children’s centre workers, play workers and youth workers, and are well placed for roles developing rapidly in response to current government initiatives in both areas. You may also train to teach, to gain Early Years Professional Status, study as Speech and Language therapists or undertake a Masters degree in Social Work.
Please note that this course does not provide Qualified Teacher Status or British Psychological Society accreditation. It is possible to top up credits to gain full BPS accreditation at a variety of institutions throughout the UK. See www.bps.org.uk for more information.
Work experience
This course allows you to take the Learning From Experience (LiFE) option, which lets you earn credits toward your degree for work/research placements, volunteer roles or internships undertaken alongside your studies. The option gives you the opportunity to enhance your employability skills, to reflect on the ways in which you've done so, and to learn to express this to potential employers.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more