- Overview
- Course modules
- Entry requirements
- What makes this course different
- Accreditations
- What we're researching
- Your future career
- How we support your career ambitions
- Careers Guarantee
- What you'll learn
- How you'll learn
- How you'll be assessed
- Campus and facilities
- Who teaches this course
- Testimonial
- FAQs
Overview
Please note, this course was previously known as BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies Online.
If you are interested in a career working with and for children and their families, this asynchronous course will give you an excellent foundation.
Studying by distance learning allows you to study at your convenience, giving you the flexibility to study from any location within a structured and supported framework. This means you can combine gaining an academic qualification with your work or family commitments.
Our course will give you a fascinating insight into the way children experience their childhoods and how that experience influences them as they develop.
You'll look at childhood from a range of different critical perspectives and explore the factors that influence the childhood experience, as well as examine issues such as health, early years' legislation, and global inequalities in childhood.
*Overall positivity using the Times Higher Education methodology, on student samples over 1,000 and out of all Universities UK members.
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Course modules
The Early Childhood Studies online foundation year focuses on developing key skills in emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and reflective practice. You'll explore social worlds, inclusion, diversity, and special educational needs. You'll gain an understanding of the legislative frameworks and critical disability studies. By engaging with research communities, you will gain problem-solving, critical thinking, and research skills useful for your career in early childhood education.
The Early Childhood Studies online year 1 focuses on building foundational knowledge in child development, inclusive education, and research skills. You'll study key theories related to social, cultural, and cognitive development. You'll do modules on inclusion, diversity, and special educational needs. Through practical modules, you'll observe and apply pedagogical theories in early years settings. You'll develop critical thinking, research skills, and development professionally to prepare for your career in early childhood education.
The Early Childhood Studies online Year 2 modules focus on advancing critical skills and knowledge. It emphasises emotional intelligence, research methodologies, and social justice. You'll explore contemporary educational issues, engage in research communities, and analyse curriculum models. Practical modules mean you can apply pedagogical theories in real-world early years settings. You'll build skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and multimodal learning. This will prepare you for careers in early childhood education with a strong emphasis on ethical, inclusive practices.
The Early Childhood Studies online Year 3 curriculum provides an opportunity to apply advanced skills you've learnt. It focuses on personal and professional development, including emotional, social, and cognitive intelligence. You will engage with our Career Passport to enhance your reflective skills and self-awareness. Modules explore global educational perspectives, special and inclusive education policies, and Montessori education approaches. You'll also gain practical experience in team collaboration and communication with parents in early years settings.
NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.
Download course specification
Entry requirements
Degree:
96 UCAS pointsThis is the standard advertised entry requirement for most students applying to this course.
Degree with contextual offer:
64 UCAS pointsYou may be eligible for a reduced offer based on your personal, educational or socioeconomic background.
Missing some qualifications?
We have a range of pre-entry programmes to help you meet the entry requirements for this course.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL)
Your previous qualifications, uncompleted study or industry experience may mean you can start your studies at a later point in the course and influence your eligibility for entry
What makes this course different

Highly rated by our students
93% of students surveyed on this course responded positively to questions on "Teaching on my Course” in the 2023 National Student Survey. (National Student Survey 2023)

1st in London
We are the top London university for Childhood & Youth Studies courses (Complete University Guide 2024).

Teaching and learning
Develop a reflective approach to special education and critical thinking skills which are transferable to the workplace.
Careers Guarantee
The UEL Careers Guarantee is the University’s commitment to supporting you with your career development during your studies and after you graduate. It brings together careers guidance, employability support and opportunities designed to help you prepare for work or further study.
What can I do with this degree?
As an Applied Education with Early Years (Online) graduate you can go into roles that shape children's lives at the most important stage of their development.
Typical job roles include:
- nursery educator
- nursery manager
- area manage
- parental outreach worker
- special educational needs support roles.
UEL graduates have moved on to work at N Family Club, Bright Horizons and the London Early Years Foundation, with industry links including Newham Council's childcare and early years service and LEYF London.
For those who want to specialise further, UEL offers postgraduate study in MA Early Childhood Leadership and Practice, MA Special Educational Needs and MA Leadership in Education.
How you'll learn
You'll be taught by staff with relevant experience and practice to ensure you learn from real-life experience and research. We offer online teaching allowing you to interact as if you were there in person. Students can interact and collaborate online in any of these live-streamed sessions. Live-streamed sessions will also be recorded, so you can log in when you want, playback, and watch from the comfort of your home and whilst on the go.
Guided independent study
When not attending timetabled lectures you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, Microsoft Teams, and Moodle. We are investing in key areas beyond your studies including our career services, library, and well-being, to be available both face-to-face on campus and online with many of these available 24/7.
Academic support
Students are supported with any academic or subject-related queries by an Academic Advisor, module leaders, and former and current UEL students. If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths, or statistics, our Academic Tutors offer workshops, drop-in sessions, and one-to-one appointments to help our students achieve their potential. You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the university from our IT Service Desks located on all three campuses. Our Student Support hubs in Docklands and Stratford feature centralised helpdesks to cater to your every need. We have new, modern library facilities on both campuses offering inspirational environments for study and research. Libraries contain resources in print and digital formats, a range of study spaces, and a dedicated librarian who can assist with your learning. UEL provides also support and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties (SPDs). Your overall workload consists of class and online tutor-led sessions, individual learning, and practical activities.
Dedicated personal tutor
Our aim is to prepare our students for a broad range of careers so that they can make amazing contributions to their communities. When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of staff who will provide academic guidance, support you throughout your time at UEL, and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.
Workload
Your overall workload consists of entirely online sessions, individual learning and practical activities.
Your timetable
All distance learners' timetables are asynchronous and your learning materials will be released at the beginning of every week.
Class sizes
Approximate class sizes: 40 in online academic drop-ins.
Placement
Placements are a core part of the Early Childhood Studies degree. They prepare you to work confidently and effectively in early years settings and support you to achieve Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Status when you successfully complete nine professional competencies.
Securing your placement: You must secure your own placement at each level of the programme.
To take part in the placement activity, you must also:
- Hold a Level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics (for example, GCSE grade 4/C or above, or a formally recognised equivalent)
- Complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- Complete safeguarding training at the appropriate level of study
These requirements are mandatory.
Placement duration: You will complete a minimum number of placement days at each level of study:
- 25 days at Level 4 (Year 1)
- 48 days at Level 5 (Year 2)
- 48 days at Level 6 (Year 3)
You will undertake your placement within your setting.
How you'll be assessed
The course is assessed by coursework such as essays, video presentations, and a research dissertation along with online Moodle tests. Coursework will include presentations, software demonstrations, research-based assignments, and practical exercises involving system or program specification, coding, and testing.
Assessments are set at the end of each term and include group work and individual work. This might include essays, presentations, case studies, professional development, and practical activities depending on the nature of the course. All grades count towards your module mark.
More details will be included in the student handbook and module guides. Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL's assessment and feedback policy.
Campus and facilities
This course is delivered online
The flexible distance learning format allows you to study around your personal and professional commitments.
This course is delivered through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), where you'll access lecture materials, audio recordings, interactive learning resources, guided activities, self-assessment exercises, and reading materials. You'll receive a full introduction to your learning environment at the start of your studies to help you feel confident learning online.
Throughout the course, you'll be supported by experienced tutors and module leaders, who will provide guidance, answer questions, and help you stay on track.
Who teaches this course
This course is delivered by School of Childhood and Social Care
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
What our students and staff say

As a former University of East London New Beginnings and undergraduate student, I feel privileged to be able to work with our current and future students in the university that supported my academic journey."
Lisa Taylor
Senior lecturer in Early Childhood Studies and Applied Education

Without a doubt, the best thing about my course at UEL is the dedicated and knowledgeable lecturers that I've been taught by. I'm well supported in my learning. I feel valued in the classroom and inspired to learn and progress further in my field."
James Bennett
Special Education, BA (Hons)















