BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Graduate Practitioner)

What is Early Childhood Studies?

On our Early Childhood Studies degree, you'll discover how children from 0 to 8 years old develop, learn and think, and how you can forge a rewarding career with children and families in a variety of early years settings.

Working with young children is hugely rewarding and enormous fun, but can also be very challenging - education is a fast-paced sector. Our course will help you develop your understanding of professional and inclusive practice, and how you can support both the child and the family, to deliver a high standard of professional practice in the workplace.

Using the latest theory and practical experiences you’ll explore current research around key topics including contemporary issues in education and pedagogical approaches, while building your leadership skills and considering possible careers across the early childhood sector.

You’ll also have the opportunity to achieve your Early Childhood Practitioner Competencies, ensuring you graduate with a full and relevant early years qualification to meet the requirements of the graduate workforce.

If you've already completed a foundation degree (or equivalent), you can gain a full honours degree in just one or two years with our Top-Up options.

If you study on the face-to-face version of this course, you’ll need to attend lectures on campus one day a week and spend one day a week in your chosen placement setting.

Join a course that ranked 13th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2025, and scored 95% for “Learning resources” and “Communication of mental well-being support” in the National Student Survey 2024.

What can you do with a degree in Early Childhood Studies?

Guided by the Early Years Professional Framework, we work with employers to ensure our BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies will give you the knowledge, skills and abilities that they need.

You’ll be qualified to work in any registered setting in England, including nurseries and pre-schools, and with additional training you could also consider a career in educational psychology or social work.

You’ll complete at least 80 placement days over the three years of the course (25 in Year 2, 30 in Year 2 and 25 in Year 3), helping you hone your skills and get hands-on practical experience. Our dedicated Placement Coordinator will be on hand to help you source your placements. If you study by distance learning, and are already working in a relevant environment, you can usually complete your placement days with your current employer.

When you graduate, you might decide to continue on to a Masters course, such as one of our MA Education degrees, which include options to specialise in leadership and management, SEND, and Montessori settings, or our PGCE. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship to get 20% off your fees.