The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies is studied by distance learning . This programme is a fascinating, innovative and fast developing subject.

Entry to Level 1 or the Full Programme
To enrol on the first Level or the Full Programme you must normally hold 200 UCAS tariff points or equivalent.

Entry on a Modular Basis
If you do not hold the required tariff points for Level 1 or Full Programme entry, studies will be permitted on a modular basis, following a guidance interview with a student advisor.

In order to be able to complete this programme, a good level of English is required. The IELTS requirements for all distance-learning programmes are a minimum of 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in both reading & writing (and a minimum of 5.0 in listening & speaking). Where English is not your first language, you may be required to provide a written example of your work in order to ensure your suitability for the programme.

Overseas students should be aware that all exams MUST be taken in the UK at one of our approved exam venues. Students should also be aware that they are expected to cover all costs in attending the exams.

Accredited Certified Learning (ACL)
You may be able to gain admission to the programme with advanced standing. If you think that you could be entitled to ACL, you will be asked to submit the following evidence:

• Programme/Module Specification or syllabus (including evidence of assessment format)
• Final certificate
• Transcript of grades

• Gain knowledge, understanding and a critical appreciation of early childhood studies
• Understand the development, needs and experiences of young children
• Achieve a foundation for employment, professional and further academic study in the early years domain
• Become a skilful and adaptable graduate.

Knowledge

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding and practical skills relevant to academic study and professional practice in Early Childhood settings
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of Early Childhood Studies and of the structural, institutional, personal and cultural systems and ideas which affect the experience and construction of childhood
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding about physical and intellectual development in Early Childhood and Early Childhood provision and organisations.

Thinking skills

• Analyse practical and theoretical situations, in the context of child development and childhood, and synthesise solutions showing original and creative thought
• Plan, manage and reflect on your own learning and progression in acquiring graduate attributes appropriate for entry to teacher training or other Early Childhood careers.

Subject-Based Practical skills

• Communicate appropriately and effectively in a range of modes and media
• Relate appropriate theory to early childhood practice
• Demonstrate understanding of research methodology by applying this knowledge to undertake a small-scale research project.

Skills for life and work (general skills)

• Demonstrate autonomy, self-reliance, teamwork and leadership.
• Develop transferable graduate skills in communication and interpersonal relationships
• Communication
• Computer literacy (word-processing, electronic communication, electronic databases, statistical software, internet searching)
• Numeracy and statistical competence
• Self-awareness
• Planning and time-management
• Employability skills

The expected duration of this programme is 3 years when attended in full-time mode or 4.5 years in part-time mode. Support, however, may be available for longer -  up to eight years, if necessary (this is the maximum time from first enrolment that students have to complete the programme).

There are three entry points per year onto the programme: September, February and May. A student, normally registering for 6 modules in one year would do so in a full-time attendance mode of study and a student registering for up to 4 modules in one year would do so in part-time attendance mode of study.

A typical full-time student will take six 20-credit modules per year, but you may choose to take fewer than this. To graduate as an honours degree student you will need to have completed 120 credits at level one, 120 credits at level 2 and 120 credits at level 3.

It is also possible to study Early Childhood Studies as part of a Combined Honours Degree, either as a Major/Minor or a Joint Honours. To study Early Childhood Studies as a Major, at Level 1 you must take two core modules and two options from a choice of four modules. At Level 2 you study four core modules with no options and at Level 3, you will study two core modules (including the Project module, which is a 40 credit module) and one further module from a choice of three modules.

To take Early Childhood Studies as part of a Joint degree you must take two core modules and one option from a choice of four modules at Level 1, unless the ‘Skills’ module is taken in the other discipline, then you must choose another option module from the remaining modules offered. At Level 2 there are two core modules and either the ‘Employability’ or ‘Research’ module (please note combined honours students cannot do both). If you take the ‘Employability’ and/or ‘Research’ module from the other discipline you must choose replacement option modules from the remaining modules available. At Level 3 you must take two core modules (one module being the 40 credit ‘Project’), but if you take the ‘Project’ module in the other discipline, you must choose 2 module options from the three remaining modules available.

To study Early Childhood Studies as a Minor route, you must study one core module and one option from a choice of four modules. At Levels 2 and 3 one core module is studied plus one option from a choice of three remaining modules.

In order to gain an honours degree you will need to obtain 360 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain an ordinary degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 300 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 60 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain a Diploma of Higher Education you will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher

In order to gain a Certificate of Higher Education you will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher

In order to gain an Associate Certificate you will need to obtain a minimum if 20 credits at level one or higher

In order to gain a Foundation Degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 240 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• (A Foundation degree is linked to a named Honours degree onto which a student may progress after successful completion of the Foundation degree)

Knowledge is developed through

• Guided independent study
• Group work
• Formative assessment
• Guided reading
• Knowledge-based activities with feedback
• On-line question/ answer forums

Thinking skills are developed through

• Reflective/ thinking activities with feedback
• Analytical activities with feedback
• Evaluative activities with feedback
• Problem-solving activities with feedback
• On-line question/ answer forum

Practical skills are developed through

• Practical/ physical activities with feedback
• IT activities with feedback
• Research skills-based activities with feedback
• Project work and supervision

Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through

• The study medium, i.e. distance learning
• Planning activities with feedback
• IT activities with feedback
• Formative assessment with feedback
• Project work

Knowledge is assessed by

• Coursework
• Examinations
• Project work

Thinking skills are assessed by

• Coursework
• Examinations
• Project work

Practical skills are assessed by

• Practical reports
• Portfolio compilation
• IT exercises
• Case study exercises
• Completion of Project

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

• Project work
• Group work
• IT exercises