BA Early Childhood Studies

education

Undergraduate

BA Early Childhood Studies

This rewarding, flexible degree gives you the skills and knowledge to move into the early years workforce.

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

We are pioneers in delivering innovative learning. The course covers key themes in working with children, from curriculum issues to theories of children's learning.

We integrate all your workshops, seminars and lectures through digital technology and mobile devices. So our approach mirrors current professional practices in education.

Your job prospects are further enhanced by studying in different contexts – like Forest School training, opportunities to learn sign language and other interactive experiences.

Download our prospectus

2020 prospectus

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Saturday 25 January

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Six reasons to study Early Childhood Studies at Hull

  1. 98% graduate employability rating*
  2. Placements: links to 600 partner institutions
  3. Route to PGCE or Masters-level study
  4. 91% overall student satisfaction rating†
  5. Choose to spend a semester studying abroad
  6. Learn about digital innovations in education

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

    Child Health and Well Being

    Gain knowledge and understanding of stresses, environmental aspects, policies and practices which begin at conception and impact on children’s health and well being.

    Early Child Development

    Discover the observational techniques for working with babies and young children. You'll carry out and evaluate observations of children relating to these development concepts.

    Skills for Academic Success

    Studying, learning and assessment processes at university are different to those at school and college. This module helps you to develop these essential skills.

    International Constructions of Childhood

    From an international perspective, the module addresses topics such as childhood and gender; childhood and religion; child wellbeing; child labour; urban childhoods; and others.

    Play and Learning

    Explore sociological and political perspectives on play-based learning and examine the interface between theories of learning, pedagogy and curriculum in early childhood.

    Inclusion, Diversity and Rights

    This module introduces the key principles of inclusion, diversity and rights. It explores the historical context of and important milestones on the way to inclusion.

Second year modules

  • Compulsory

    Communication in the Early Years

    Using research findings on effective communication, you'll examine how children develop communication skills, and the role adults play in supporting and extending these skills.

    Education Research Methods

    By exploring research methodology and methods, you'll gain skills in designing questionnaires, interviews, observations and analysing research reports.

    Safeguarding and Promoting the Wellbeing of Children and Young People

    You'll consider the historical and social context of safeguarding and child protection with opportunities to research contemporary concerns such as modern child slavery.​

    Work-Based Pedagogy in Practice

    Gain hands-on experience in the UK or overseas. Experiencing different cultures and employers develops confidence and supports early career choices.

Final year modules

  • Core

    Dissertation

    You will make an original contribution to research by designing, carrying out and writing up your own project on a topic you choose, supported by your dissertation supervisor.

    Policy and Practice in Early Years and Care​

    Gain insight into current legislation, professional guidance and national and local policy initiatives. You'll critically analyse these, relating them to the needs of children and families.

    Creativity in Education

    Experience approaches to learning that encourage creative critical thinking. Creativity is observable in all areas of education and children's realities, including school, nursery, home and play.

    Leadership, Management and Team Working

    Explore aspects of leadership, management and team working in the context of children's services and education. 

    International Perspectives in Early Childhood Education and Care

    Explore a range of contemporary early years aspects of provision, care and education, including current international trends and how they impact on children and families. 

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

216 hours

Scheduled study Scheduled hours typically include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and supervised laboratory and studio sessions.

924 hours

Independent study Independent study is the time outside your scheduled timetable, where you’ll be expected to study independently.

60 hours

Placement Placement hours typically include time spent on a work placement, studying abroad, or field trips.

Indicative assessment proportions

20%
31%
49%
  • Examination

    Written assessment typically includes exams and multiple choice tests.

  • 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

132 hours

Scheduled study Scheduled hours typically include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and supervised laboratory and studio sessions.

468 hours

Independent study Independent study is the time outside your scheduled timetable, where you’ll be expected to study independently.

600 hours

Placement Placement hours typically include time spent on a work placement, studying abroad, or field trips.

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

168 hours

Scheduled study Scheduled hours typically include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and supervised laboratory and studio sessions.

1,032 hours

Independent study Independent study is the time outside your scheduled timetable, where you’ll be expected to study independently.

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.

Katie Hobson Education, Teaching and Childhood Studies

"Coming to Hull enabled me to learn something I am passionate about, work for some great organisations and volunteer for some brilliant causes."

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Study abroad

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

forest school

Forest school certification

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

Entry requirements

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.

If you require a Tier 4 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 teaching staff

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Take a tour of the facilities

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

Explore the virtual tour

Fees and funding

Home / EU

£9,250 per year*

International

£14,500 per year

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

UK and EU students can take out a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of their course, and UK students can take out a maintenance loan of up to £9,203 to cover living costs.

Substantial discounts are available for International students.  

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

Scholarships

If you achieve

112 UCAS tariff points or above

from 3 A levels or equivalent, you could receive

£1,200 to £2,000

Find out more

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

  • Early years practitioner
  • Child support worker
  • Parent support worker
  • Social 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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A place where we stand up to kings, do deals with the world and take a wrecking ball to the slave trade. A place where culture stands out and the phone boxes are a different colour. A place where we're free-thinking, independent and proud of it.

*Percentage of students in work or further study within six months of graduating: UK domicile full-time first degree leavers; Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey for the academic year 2016/17, published by HESA 2018

†Overall satisfaction score in this subject area (National Student Survey 2019, HEIs)