Programme summary for MA Early Childhood Studies

About the programme

This programme enables you to develop an in-depth knowledge of early childhood studies and to engage critically with issues and developments in the field, in order to enhance your own learning. The programme facilitates advanced understanding of early childhood studies from national and international perspectives. Our flexible study timetable allows you to study full-time or part-time to suit your personal and professional circumstances.

Programme structure

The programme is designed to allow full-time and part-time students to manage and plan a flexible timetable of study to suit their own personal and professional circumstances.

To qualify for the award of MA students need to successfully complete 4 modules and a 14, 000 word Dissertation.

Career opportunities

Career opportunities are extensive and diverse. An MA Early Childhood Studies degree may lead to employment opportunities in the private, public and voluntary sectors. Potential career roles include manager of an early years setting or within children’s charities; childcare adviser; and other senior posts in the early childhood field. The award and work undertaken can contribute to academic progression towards a PhD or professional development and the opportunity of subject specialism in the field.

Support

Students are supported through personal, individual and module tutorials. All students will also be assigned a personal tutor who will support them throughout their study. For the final dissertation, students will be supported by a supervisor with the relevant specialist knowledge. The programme permits students to study flexibly, full-time or part-time. Students can accumulate credits over a period to suit their personal and professional circumstances.

Admission

An application form and references
An honours degree at minimum 2:2 or equivalent in a relevant subject area. e.g. in Early Childhood Studies, Social Policy, Health Studies or related subject
Overall IELTS of 6.5 or equivalent for students whose first language is not English or GCE ‘O’ level in English
Evidence of ability to pursue study at Masters level e.g. sample of graduate level coursework
* Where an applicant does not meet the above requirements, consideration may be given to other recognised graduate equivalent status and/or professional experience

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.

Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.