Main details
Course overview
Module options
Our academics
Entry requirements
Fees & funding
Scholarships
Facilities
Future prospects
Next steps

Postgraduate Taught

Early Childhood and Education

A student teacher playing with a child in early years education space

An Early Childhood Studies student sitting on outside on the grass and interacting with a child

Tw children wearing wellies standing by the side of a lake

A childhood studies student pouring water from a watering can onto plants in a box

Gain a deep understanding of early childhood studies and the skills to make a difference to young children and their families.

You’ll graduate as a highly reflective practitioner with strong critical thinking skills and could go on to a broad range of careers in children’s and young people’s services.

You could discover the benefits of learning beyond the classroom and study for a Forest School certification.

Practise working with a variety of resources in our simulated early years learning environment.

Ready to make a big impact on young children and their families? Look no further.

With our MA in Early Childhood and Education, you’ll learn from some of the best in the field. This rewarding course has babies and young children at its heart and draws on subjects such as education, health studies, social work and social policy, psychology, and sociology. You’ll get a deep understanding and critical view of early childhood studies.

Choose to study whichever way suits you, either one-year full-time or two-year part-time.

600+ links

with UK educational organisations
Early years

simulated learning environment
Forest School

certification opportunity
Combine theory, research

and real-life application
Study part-time

and learn alongside your career

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Course overview

Module options

About this course

This flexible Masters course takes a holistic approach to the development of young children, from birth to the age of five.

This course explores current critical issues within the early years landscape and explores early child development within a global context, including aspects related to child development, diversity, and culture. You’ll learn all the tools to navigate and understand the evolving landscape of childhood experiences. Through creative inquiry, communication, and playful learning, you’ll also learn how children express themselves through play.

To put your learning into practice, you’ll get the opportunity to carry out an independent research project on a real-world topic of your choice, supported by our experienced tutors who will provide guidance and mentorship throughout.

You have the freedom to customise your learning journey to match your needs. After successfully completing stage 1, you can opt for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. Alternatively, after stage 2 you can work towards achieving a Postgraduate Diploma in Education. The choice is entirely yours.

We offer modules in both the daytime and evenings, so you can find a pattern of delivery that fits with your other commitments, whether you are working, volunteering or studying full time. In 2024-25 you can choose evening modules from: Coaching and Mentoring, Early Childhood, Leadership and Management or Social Justice and Community Engagement as well as the mandatory modules shared by all pathways.

A childhood studies student stood in classroom

A baby playing on the floor with beanie hat on

A children's wooden toy stood on top of a table or desk

Choose your modules

For a full Masters degree, you'll study 180 credits over the duration of your course. Some programmes offer a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) qualification or a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) qualification. For a PGDip, you'll study 120 credits, and for a PGCert, you'll study 60 credits.

Contemporary and Critical Issues in Education: Theory, Policy and Context

This module forms an essential component of your Masters programme. It supports the development of key skills necessary for study at Level 7 including the development of core and essential skills relating to critical reflection and critical analysis, alongside an introduction to critical theory. It allows engagement with issues relating to specialist areas relevant to your programme of study, whilst also opening up avenues for broader exploration. Drawing on diverse perspectives from a range of global contexts it ensures that education is explored across broad and diverse perspectives.

Core•30 credits

Early Child Development in a Global Context

In this module you will develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of children’s development, considering critical contemporary research and international and theoretical perspectives on child development and learning. You will be taught by experts in child development and will examine varying factors that contribute to early child development, including diversity and difference. Issues relating to culture, poverty, gender or disability and key questions such as nature/nurture, which relate to our understanding of children's development, will also be explored.

Core•30 credits

Research Methodologies (Education)

You will explore cutting edge research methodologies used in education, developing your critical understanding of how they can be used to address real world problems. An inquiry-based teaching approach will enable you to work with peers to weigh the merits of each in terms of their suitability for particular contexts and issues.

Core•30 credits

Creative Inquiry, Communication and Playful Learning

This module focuses on how young children communicate their thoughts, understandings, ideas and emotions through their play. The module encourages you to consider the interconnected nature of children's representational language through play-based activity, such as mark-making, modelling, drawing, role play, construction, movement, music, dance and how children more broadly think imaginatively and creatively.

Core•30 credits

Extended Research Project (Education)

This module provides you with an opportunity to apply your knowledge and research skills in the field of education. Supported via dedicated course tutors, your dissertation supervisor and high-quality workshops and online content, you will undertake an independent research project on a topic related to your programme of study. This will allow you to apply your skills in real-world contexts and gain an understanding of conducting and reporting on research. This module will help you develop key transferable skills for both the workplace and further study.

Core•60 credits

5 Modules

Our academics

Our team of highly respected and experienced tutors are all experts in their specialisms.

Taught by a team of experts in the fields of education, social care, health, inclusion and therapeutic approaches, you’ll gain real, practical knowledge that will be invaluable in your future career.

See more academics for this subject

Featured academic

Dr Jo Traunter

Jo’s teaching and research interests are in early childhood education and care. She brings over 20 years’ experience of different early years teaching methods and activities to her role as Head of Subject for Education, Childhood and Youth Studies.

Featured academic

Kerrie Lee

An experienced early years practitioner, Kerrie's research focuses on how environment, space and place interact and shape the lives of young people. She is working on a consultation for new projects to support early years in museums and galleries.

Entry requirements

UK
International

What do I need?

Typical offer

2:2 in relevant subject area

Applicants should have a minimum of 2.2 Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject.

Additional entry requirements for this course

If you have a 2.2 Honours degree in another subject area with evidence of relevant professional experience, this will be taken into account.

This degree is for anyone who is interested in Education in its widest sense; it will not qualify you to teach.

If you’re an undergraduate student at Hull, you’re guaranteed a fast-track route to this postgraduate degree, as long as you meet the entry requirements.

In order to ensure our students have a rich learning and student experience, most of our programmes have a mix of domestic and international students. We reserve the right to close applications early to either group if application volumes suggest that this blend cannot be achieved.

What do I need?

Typical offer

2:2 in relevant subject area

Applicants should have a minimum of 2.2 Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject.

Additional entry requirements for this course

If you have a 2.2 Honours degree in another subject area with evidence of relevant professional experience, this will be taken into account.

This degree is for anyone who is interested in Education in its widest sense; it will not qualify you to teach.

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

UK
International

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
Optional field trips
Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
Student visas (international students)
Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
Printing and photocopying
Professional-body membership
Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
Optional field trips
Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
Student visas (international students)
Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
Printing and photocopying
Professional-body membership
Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our scholarships

We offer a number of awards, bursaries and scholarships for eligible students. They’re awarded for a variety of reasons including academic achievement and/or to help those on lower incomes.

Scholarships and bursaries are separate to student loans. And the best bit is, you don’t pay a penny back.

Find out more about our scholarships

Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship

University of Hull undergraduates progressing to a taught masters course may receive a 20% discount on the cost of their tuition fees.

Find out if you’re eligible by visiting the University of Hull Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship page.

International Scholarships and Bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students.

To find out more and see if you're eligible, please visit the International Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Take a look at our facilities

Forest School Training Centre

You could access our Forest School Training Centre with outdoor classroom, gardens, wooded areas and wildflower meadows.

Brynmor Jones Library

Our seven-story library is a superb learning space. As well as more than a million books, there’s a variety of study areas, over 400 open-access PCs and one amazing view.

Specialist Early Years Room

You could access our simulated early years learning environment. An engaging, inclusive space with a range of materials, resources and technology.

Group Lecture Room

Collaborate in group lecture rooms working as part of our vibrant community of students and staff who all share an interest in developing excellent learning opportunities for others.

See more in our virtual tour

Look around

education student in the classroom with children

Look around

education student in classroom with sand tray

Future prospects

Our Masters courses mirror the high demand for highly reflective practitioners with excellent critical thinking skills.

The opportunities for graduates in children’s and young people’s services are varied and wide.

Potential future careers include researcher, portage worker, children’s centre practitioner, family support worker, early years practitioner and child support worker.

Your next steps

Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.

Make your application online now, and our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible to make you an offer.

How to apply

Not ready to apply?

We regularly deliver virtual and on-campus events to help you discover your perfect postgraduate course, whether it’s a subject you already love or something completely different. Our events are an opportunity for you to chat to tutors and current students and find out about the career options a postgraduate degree could lead to.

Discover more

Early Childhood and Education

About this course

Choose your modules

Contemporary and Critical Issues in Education: Theory, Policy and Context