BA (Hons)
Early Childhood Studies
Includes national and international perspectives of early childhood
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Are you interested in studying the issues that affect children in the first years of life? This interdisciplinary course draws together the theories and practices of education, sociology, psychology, health and social policy that relate to the Early Years workforce.
You will study topics, ideas, models and theories relating to both past and present practice.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Gain work-based experience by volunteering at local schools or charities
- Attend lectures by guest speakers researching in the field
- Develop European and global perspectives through our international links
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 support service
- 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, BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies student
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- LX53
- 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*
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man part-time students: £3,000 p/a*
International full-time students: £10,500 p/a*
International part-time students: £5,250 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 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
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.
- 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
- Options including:
- Childrens Literature
- Gender and Education
- Digital Natives
- Learning from Experience
- Development of Learning
- Just Playing?
Year three
Your third year will focus on curriculum requirements, policies and the rights of the child as you specialise in an area of interest through your choice of dissertation and options.
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies' final year within the following two units:
- Promoting Early Learning (0 - 3)
- Developing & Extending Young Children's Thinking for Learning
- Options including
- Who's in Charge?
- Creativity
- Behaviour Matters
- Issues Relating to Children and Young People's Mental Health
- Learning from Experience
- Children with (Severe) Learning Difficulties
- Working with Looked After Children
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
Ms 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.
We have guest speakers, talk about fairy tales, and even make our own children's books. It's very interactive and everyone really gets involved.
Victoria Byrne, BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies student
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
A variety of career pathways will be open to you, some of which may require postgraduate study. These pathways include early years practice and children’s centre roles, alongside new jobs that are developing rapidly in response to current government initiatives.
You may also go on to train as an early years or primary teacher, gain Early Years Professional Status, study a Speech and Language therapist or undertake a masters degree in Social Work, or another role in education, social care and health. Please note that this course does not provide Qualified Teacher Status.
Roles our graduates have moved into include:
- training assessor
- teacher
- employability coordinator
- careers advisor
- schools liaison officer
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.
What I really like is that after we finish we don’t have to start working in a nursery. If you would like to choose any other workplace, for example, working in the police, a hospital, or primary schools or secondary schools, we have the option to achieve something else so the field is very very big because you don’t have to focus just on one area.
Kamila Rorat, BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies student 2013
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