BA Early Childhood Studies

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Undergraduate

BA Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Status

Childhood and Youth Studies is ranked 1st in the UK for overall satisfaction‡.

Key information

Study mode

Full-time

Course length

3 years

Typical offer

104 points

A Level grades: BCC

UCAS code

X312

Choose an option

Start date

Course overview

This rewarding, flexible degree gives you the skills and knowledge to move into the early years workforce and has babies and young children at its heart.

The degree takes a holistic approach to the development of young children, from birth to the age of eight and provides opportunities to apply this learning in placement settings.

Early childhood is a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and global area of study that draws on subjects such as education, health studies, social work and social policy, psychology and sociology.

The experience of early childhood is changing rapidly across the world. From climate change, global pandemics and economic austerity to a childhood increasingly dominated by screens and social media, the 21st century has brought many challenges and factors that are shaping childhood experiences. The BA Early Childhood Studies at the University of Hull looks to support the development of practitioners for the early childhood sector who understand and have the skills to respond to the challenges of supporting children and babies in this rapidly changing world.

With a focus on developing key employability skills valued by employers; skills of teamwork, independent work, presentation and an ability to articulate effectively in a variety of contexts and with a variety of tools, the BA Early Childhood Studies is a programme which truly supports practitioners who want to make a difference to the lives of babies, young children and families. If you want to contribute to the debate and influence the strategies employed in early years, then this degree is for you. With a team of highly respected and experienced tutors, who are all experts in their specialisms, you will learn from some of the best in the field.

Placement opportunities are a strength of this programme of study, you will consolidate your learning in practice in a range of settings and early years environments, from nurseries to care farms. You will additionally have the option to experience a placement in differing international contexts around the world, including Norway, Spain and Holland. Furthermore we are able to offer you the chance to enhance your degree with further certified training including Forest School training and British Sign language among other interactive learning opportunities.

To fully endorse the quality of our degree we are able to offer graduates of this programme the opportunity to gain Graduate Practitioner Status.

BA Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Status

This sector recognised qualification is ‘full and relevant’ and enables you to be counted in the ratios of early years settings. In order to achieve Graduate Practitioner Status, students must complete a Level 2 in English and Maths before the end of their degree. Graduate practitioner status will be awarded to students who can demonstrate that they have met nine competencies in placement through assessed observations of practice, practice-based tasks and academic assessment of learning. Gaining recognition for Graduate Practitioner Competencies (level 6) is supported by the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network and is recognised in the Department for Education’s career progression map.

There will be opportunities to engage with a broad range of assessments including presentations, blogs, podcasts, essays, reports and portfolios. Exams are not an assessment method for this programme of study.

Learn more about your course in our subject sessions

On-demand session

Education and Childhood Studies

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Six reasons to study Early Childhood Studies at Hull

  1. 1st in the UK for Learning Resources ‡
  2. Ranked 3rd for Graduate Prospects Outcomes **
  3. Practice experience & placement opportunities throughout
  4. 93.7% graduate employability rating*
  5. Opportunity to gain accredited Forest School training
  6. Achieve Graduate Practitioner Status†

What you'll study

The course consists of 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits, meaning you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more (e.g. 40 credits). In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120.

First year modules

  • Compulsory

    Play Matters

    How do the adults and environments in early years settings support young children’s learning? In this module you will explore the power play and everyday experiences have on the development of young children and how to support children and babies to make sense of the world in which they live.

    Children’s Health and Wellbeing

    The significance of good physical, emotional and mental health has never been more important for children and society. In this module you will explore the role of practitioners in supporting the health and wellbeing of young children and babies.

    Ethical Dilemmas and the Moral Maze

    Dealing with real-world, ethical or moral dilemmas is extremely challenging, yet pertinent to all areas of work and professional practice, with the skills and insight to deal with these situations therefore being of the utmost importance and benefit in the contemporary world. Such issues can be extremely complex and commonplace, affecting individuals and communities in a range of different contexts -impacting upon both children, young people and adults. Planning and working collaboratively to explore these dilemmas, you will analyse a range of case studies (ethical dilemmas) relevant to your areas of interest, seeking to explore the legal, moral and ethical requirements of practice.

    Professional Practice 1 - The Developing Practitioner

    Your introduction to professional placement practice, this module will provide you with the the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical context and reflect on your experiences to inform future practice.

    The Wonder Years- Early Child Development 0-8

    You will be introduced to the evidence based prinicples of of child development. Giving due consideration to play and learning, children’s rights, diversity, equity and inclusion, this module supports students to apply theoretical perspectives to practice situations.

    Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

    This engaging module provides foundation knowledge and skills that will enable you to understand the background and needs of a diverse range of children, young people and communities you will encounter in a range of practice contexts, and throughout your career. It provides theoretical knowledge and understanding of policy, legislation and research, which will underpin your academic and/or professional identity.

Second year modules

  • Compulsory

    Safeguarding and Family Support

    You'll consider the historical and social context of safeguarding and child protection, examining key issues of safeguarding practice including communication, leadership and multi-disciplinary working.

    Inclusive and Therapeutic Techniques to Support Children with SEND

    This exciting module enables you to consider how you might work more effectively and inclusively with children and young people who have special educational needs. You will be able to develop hands-on, practical experience with therapeutic skills such as play therapy, life story work and Lego therapy. In addition, you will become familiar with a variety of additional needs, such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD), Tourette’s syndrome, and emotional and behavioural difficulties including adverse childhood trauma.

    Global Constructions of Early Childhood

     By encouraging you to develop yourknowledge and understanding of the lived experience of childhood in different parts of the world, this module will focus on exploring what childhood is, how it has changed over time and how it is viewed in legal, social and cultural terms.

    Professional Practice 2

    You will have the opportunity to undertake an extended placement with opportunities in a breath of educational settings, health, social care or the voluntary sector in the UK or Overseas.

    Communities of Practice

    This is a participatory, experiential and collaborative module in which you will be introduced to a series of provocations identified by practitioners working at a grass root level in a range of early years, family, youth and community, SENDI, TESOL, and educational settings.

Final year modules

  • Core

    Professional Practice 3 - The Graduate Practitioner

    This module will encourage you to engage with multiple perspectives on the roles and responsibilities of graduate practitioners leading practice in the early childhood sector. Explaining, analysing and reflecting upon your own professional practice and personal development,this module will provide you with an opportunity to bring synthesis to your academic and practice-based journey and personal progression.

    Every Voice Matters – The Impact of Advocacy

    We highlight the importance of voice and influence within decision making processes, and explore how advocacy can safeguard and enable children, young people, adults and communities.

    Extended Research Project

    This module offers an exciting opportunity for you to delve deeply into and explore a contemporary issue which you feel passionate about that is relevant to your programme of study. You will have the opportunity to design, develop and conduct your own research project. Through the process of this research and writing your dissertation you will develop specialist knowledge and skills relevant to your graduate future, whether that be employment or postgraduate study.

    Learning Beyond the Classroom

    You will have the opportunity to examine a range of pedagogical approaches, including Forest Schools, Home learning Environments and community based projects. This module additionally provides you with the opportunity to study towards an accredited Forest School teaching qualification.

All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

How you'll study

Throughout your degree, you’re expected to study for 1,200 hours per year. That’s based on 200 hours per 20 credit module. And it includes scheduled hours, time spent on placement and independent study. How this time’s divided among each of these varies each year and depends on the course and modules you study.

Overall workload

If you’re enrolled on a full-time programme of study, you’ll be expected to complete about 40 hours of academic work each week.

How you’ll learn

Indicative assessment proportions

41%
59%
  • Practical

    Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Overall workload

If you’re enrolled on a full-time programme of study, you’ll be expected to complete about 40 hours of academic work each week.

How you’ll learn

Indicative assessment proportions

13%
87%
  • Practical

    Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Overall workload

If you’re enrolled on a full-time programme of study, you’ll be expected to complete about 40 hours of academic work each week.

How you’ll learn

Indicative assessment proportions

5%
95%
  • Practical

    Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Monika Paluch Early Childhood Studies

“For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to work with children, and every day at the University of Hull shows me, that the decision I made was a breakthrough in my life.”

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Study abroad

Spend a semester overseas at an English-speaking partner institution in a country renowned for high-quality childcare.

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Forest School Certification

Study toward forest school certification, which allows you to lead children’s learning experiences in outdoor contexts.

Entry requirements

Typical offer

  • A level grades BCC

  • BTEC grades DMM

  • Points required 104

Work out your estimated points

Don't meet our requirements?

We offer a Foundation Year to boost your skills and knowledge – it’s a great way to make your way into higher education.

Switch to the foundation year

Points can be from any qualifications on the UCAS tariff, but must include at least 80 points from

  • A levels
  • BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • CACHE Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • Irish Leaving Certificate
  • Scottish Highers
  • Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma
  • or a combination of appropriate Level 3 qualifications

Applicants should also have

  • GCSE English Language/Literature at Grade 4 or C or above

Alternative qualifications

  • IB Diploma: 26 points.
  • Access to HE Diploma: pass with merits in a minimum of 30 credits
  • CACHE L3 Extended Diploma: C

Any offers made are conditional on the results of an enhanced DBS check.

Worried you don’t quite meet our entry requirements?

We consider experience and qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match the combinations above.

But it’s not just about the grades – we’ll look at your whole application. We want to know what makes you tick, and about your previous experience, so make sure that you complete your personal statement.

If you have any questions, our admissions team will be happy to help.

Don't meet our requirements?

We offer a Foundation Year to boost your skills and knowledge – it’s a great way to make your way into higher education.

Switch to the foundation year

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 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by this University.

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.

Our lecturers

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Take a 360-degree look around one of the education lecture rooms where you'll gain professional education and care skills.

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Fees and funding

UK

£9,250 per year*

EU/International

£15,400 per year

*The amount you pay may increase each year, in line with inflation - but capped to the Retail Price Index (RPI).

UK students can take out a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of their course and a maintenance loan of up to £9,706 to cover living costs.

Substantial discounts are available for International students.  

More information on fees can be found in the Money section of our website.

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme (including registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examination).

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. The list below has some examples, and any extra costs will vary.

  • Books (you’ll have access to books from your module reading lists in the library, but you may want to buy your own copies)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (including travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (including travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PC’s on campus, but you may want to buy 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 and food – to name just a few. 

An affordable city for students

From bills, to meals, to pints – you’ll find that your money goes a lot further in Hull.

Your future prospects

  • Portage worker
  • Community nursery nurse
  • Children’s centre practitioner
  • Family support worker
  • Early years practitioner
  • Child support worker

This course reflects the high demand for well-trained professional practitioners, and is tailored to prepare you to move straight into employment.

We’re proud to be part of the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network, which benefits students through its active membership, events and profile-raising activity.

Open Day at University of Hull

Ready to apply?

You can apply for this course through UCAS. As well as providing your academic qualifications, you’ll be able to showcase your skills, qualities and passion for the subject.

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‡ National Student Survey (NSS) 2022, HEIs only

** The Complete University Guide 2023

* Percentage of students in work or further study within 15 months of graduating: UK domicile full-time first degree leavers, Graduate Outcomes survey for the academic year 2018/19, published by HESA July 2021.

† Available for those students who evidence core competences and complete the required placement hours.