BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
Course overview
Start date
September 2021
Subject area
Teaching and Education
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Learning
On campus, dual delivery
Course summary
Do you want to help shape and change young lives through education? Do you have a passion for teaching? Do you want to change communities from the inside? If you’re interested in learning more about children and childhood and you envisage a career working with and for children and their families, this course will give you an excellent foundation.
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. You’ll examine issues such as health, early-years legislation and global inequalities in childhood.
You’ll have the opportunity to work on projects in the local community, applying your developing knowledge by devising practical solutions to real-life problems.
Early childhood is a well-established and popular area of study at UEL. Our academic team come from a broad range of professional backgrounds and cultures and, together, they have more than 100 years of experience in the field. Early Childhood Studies is available online.
This makes it easy to fit around parenting or work. You’ll study using our virtual learning environment, Moodle, which includes chatrooms, reading materials, lecture clips and assignments.
Return to campus: dual delivery
In a Covid-secure environment, enjoy learning on our state-of-the-art campuses and flex between online delivery
Find out morePlacement
Optional placement year available
95%
Overall satisfaction
Our overall student satisfaction score (NSS, 2018)
95%
Academic support
Our academic support and staff have been rated at over 95% in the NSS for 2018.
Teaching and learning
Develop a reflective approach to special education and critical thinking skills which are transferable to the workplace.
Vikki Silvers
Early Childhood Studies, BA (Hons), undergraduate
Originally I chose the course because I wanted to be a Key Stage One teacher, but I’m learning there is a range of other possible career paths.
The course covers a holistic view of child development and I’ve been able to gain a new perspective, looking through a child’s eyes.
I’ve especially loved exploring the enchantment of children’s literature.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees, which will be paid directly to UEL. There are no up-front fees required. Repayment only starts after you finish your course and are earning over £25,000. If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 30 years it will be automatically cancelled.
To apply visit gov.uk/student-finance
Maintenance Loan
You can apply for a loan to help with living costs such as food, travel and accommodation. How much you can borrow depends on where you live and study, and whether you are currently on welfare benefits. The maximum loan you can apply for is £12,729.
To apply visit gov.uk/student-finance
Supplementary Grants
The government also offer the following additional support:
- Parents' Learning Allowance
- Adult Dependants' Grant
- Childcare Grant
- Disabled Students’ Allowance
- All nursing and many allied health students on courses from September 2020 will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year from the government.
For further information visit gov.uk/student-finance or contact Student Finance England.
All students will receive:
Bursaries Schemes for which you can apply
- Care Leaver and Foyer Bursary - up to £1,500
- Progression Bursary - up to £2,000
- Engagement Bursary - up to £2,000
- Hardship Bursary - up to £2,000
- Helena Kennedy Foundation - £1,500
- Going Global – awards range from £300 - £700
Scholarships Schemes for which you can apply
- Vice Chancellor Scholarship - up to £27,750 over three years
- Dean Scholarship - up to £13,500 over three years
- Civic Engagement Scholarship - £1,000
- EU Scholarship (EU Only) - £1,000
- ELSEF Scholarship - £1,000
- UTC Scholarship - £1,500
- Sports Scholarships - up to £6,000
There are a number of external organisations that offer financial help to
students. Please see the list below list to view additional support options.
Alternatively, you can visit the Scholarship Search website.
Please note that the University of East London is not responsible for
the content of these external sites and is not associated in any way
with the funding schemes and their application processes.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you are a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
You don't need to pay this up front.
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
Tuition fees are subject to annual change. Fees for future years will be published in due course.
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees, which will be paid directly to UEL. There are no up-front fees required. Repayment only starts after you finish your course and are earning over £25,000. If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 30 years it will be automatically cancelled.
Maintenance Loan
Part-time students can access maintenance loans from Student Finance England.
From academic year 2018/19, part-time students can access maintenance loans from Student Finance England.
You can apply for a loan to help with living costs such as food, travel and accommodation.
Part-time students need to study their courses at a rate of at least
25% of an equivalent full-time course in each academic year.
For further information visit gov.uk/student-finance
We appreciate that finance is one of the key considerations when you are applying to university. That's why alongside your Government loan, you can apply for scholarships to help towards your finances. We have invested over £2 million worth of scholarships to financially assist new students, starting in September 2019. If you are awarded a scholarship you don't need to pay it back.
All students will receive:
Ebooks
Bursaries Schemes for which you can apply
Scholarships Schemes for which you can apply
There are a number of external organisations that offer financial help to
students. Please see the list below list to view additional support options.
Alternatively, you can visit the Scholarship Search website.
Please note that the University of East London is not responsible for
the content of these external sites and is not associated in any way
with the funding schemes and their application processes.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you are a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
Price per 30 credit module.
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
At UEL, we understand that studying in another country is a big financial commitment. If you apply early for an undergraduate, you may be entitled to a scholarship of up to £3,000.You can find out more about the international scholarships here.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) also run an Emergency International Fund to assist international students in hardship.
You can contact our SMART team on 02082233333 or study@uel.ac.uk
As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1,265* per month to cover your living costs. It includes expenses for accommodation, food and drink, travel within London, text books, entertainment, clothing, toiletries and laundry. Most Tier 4 students are required to show they have sufficient funds to cover the first nine months of the course before they start- a total of £11,385- in addition to the tuition fees. You can find more information about the specific requirements of the Tier 4 student visa here. The amount that you will spend can vary depending on your lifestyle. The UKCISA International Student Calculator can help you plan and manage your money. Please make sure you also factor in the fees for the visa application and immigration health surcharge when budgeting.
* Please note the Immigration Rules are subject to change and this figure is likely to be increased by UKVI year on year. Please therefore check our ISA pages for more information at the time of preparing your visa application.
Deposits and paying by instalments
International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.
Email: international@uel.ac.uk
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
Tuition fees are subject to annual change. Fees for future years will be published in due course.
Entry requirements
- September 2021
-
Degree
112
New UCAS Points
All applicants MUST have GCSE English, Maths and Science grade A*-C/Grade 4 or above.
Access to HE Diploma (QAA approved) with 60 credits overall and 45 credits at Level 3
We will also consider the UEL New Beginnings pre-entry course
The entire interview process lasts about three hours and will consist of the following:
- A group task
- An English test
- A Mathematics test
- An individual interview
Our aim is to find out as much as we can about your attributes, skills, knowledge and understanding in order to shape training opportunities for you, should you be offered a place on the programme.
Your responses to these tasks and activities will be considered alongside all the other evidence to assess your suitability for the Primary QTS programme.
During the individual interview you will be given the chance to talk with a tutor about the programme and any other issues that are relevant.
Applicants are required to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for Regulated Activity.
As you will have close contact with children and/or vulnerable adults on the this course, you will be required to have a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure certificate.
You need to complete this process prior to starting the course. Failure to complete this process will impact you going on placement as part of the course.
You will also need to complete a Disqualification by Association Form.
Further information is available here
It is a legal requirement that you are assessed as fit to teach in order to be given an unconditional offer on our programmes. Teaching is a demanding activity and there are fitness requirements set by the Department for Education for applicants to teacher training.
Maitland Medical undertakes the screening process for physical and mental fitness to teach. An online questionnaire must be completed and a fee of £55.00 must be paid upon submission. You will need to contact Maitland Medical at mail@maitlandmedical.co.uk or phone 0208 295 8250 in order to apply.
Maitland Medical will notify UEL when an assessment has been made so that we can update our records. These records will be checked prior to your placements to ensure that you are fully cleared to attend.
Trainee teachers with special needs and/or disabilities are very successful on our programmes particularly when they disclose their needs before registration. If you do have a particular need or disability we strongly encourage you to disclose this as soon as possible so that we can assess the level of support you may need and to which you are entitled.
Non-UK qualifications
GCSE equivalent qualifications taken outside the UK will be assessed in line with UK NARIC and NCTL guidance.
What you'll learn
Early Childhood Studies introduces you to a range of perspectives on early childhood development and learning across a variety of contexts, offering a theoretical understanding of issues and controversies within the early childhood field.
Applicants wishing to work as a practitioner in an early years setting will be required to have a level 3 practitioner qualification in addition to their academic degree once they graduate. Students move into a variety of careers and onward study in social work, education and children's services.
You’ll come to understand that there are many different ways of understanding early childhood. We give you a range of academic and professional perspectives on childhood, then ask you to explore the deeper philosophies, beliefs and attitudes that underpin them.
You’ll learn how children develop, from conception onwards, how they experience life and how that experience forms the basis of their later development.
You’ll develop an understanding of the factors that influence childhood, and of how this knowledge is critical in supporting the learning and development of children.
We’ll teach you about how early years services are structured in this country, and how to work across the system to get the best results for children.
You’ll also benefit from field-based learning as you carry out the third-year research project which you’ll devise yourself.
What you'll study and when
We consistently review our courses to ensure we are up-to-date with industry changes and requirements from our graduates. As a result, our modules are subject to change.
Introduction to Early Childhood, Special Needs and Education
Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Placements in Context - Play and learning
Skills for Academic and Professional Writing
Research in Practice: Live Project
Exploring Social Worlds
Key Principles for Inclusion
Emerging Research Communities
Practice module Part 1
Practice module Part 2
Identity and Social Justice
Building Research Communities
Contemporary issues in Education
Practice module
Practice module
Online Modules
Issues and Controversies in Early Childhood Development (core)
Observing, Documenting and Researching with Children, Families and Practitioners (core)
Social Policy for Children and Families (core)
Advocating for Children: National and International Contexts (core)
This course offers the opportunity of year-long placement between years two and three. If you choose to take this option, you’ll spend your third year on a placement with a relevant company or organisation, adding valuable practical experience to your growing academic knowledge.
The extra placement year means it will take four years to complete your studies, instead of three.
Critical and global perspectives on education
Practice module
Practice module
Active Research Communities
Online Modules
Early Childhood Research Dissertation (core)
Leading and Managing Partnerships in the Early Years (core)
Inclusion and Diversity in the Early Years (core)
Multimodal Learning in Early Childhood (core)
How you'll be assessed
Assessment tasks are mainly spread across the year to make theworkload manageable. Assessment methods include group works and individual work including 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.
Course specification Foundation Year SpecificationHow you'll learn
Based at UEL’s School of Education and Communities in Stratford, you’ll explore the significance of early childhood in different cultures and societies.
This is particularly relevant given the ethnic and cultural diversity which exists in east London and, indeed, among UEL’s student intake and staff. We use that diversity to our advantage by incorporating discussion time into our teaching.
You’ll benefit from the extraordinary richness of the research conducted in childcare by UEL’s International Centre for the Study of the Mixed Economy of Childcare (ICMEC), which has a worldwide reputation.
All of your lecturers are research active and draw upon
their own and others’ publications to enhance your understanding of key themes
and concepts.
Professor Eva Lloyd is a founder of the International Centre for
Mixed Economy of Childcare, a renowned research centre informing public policy
and practice. This ensures students have access to contemporary fieldwork
research relevant to the programme.
The subject of Early Childhood is only relevant when it is applied to the reality which exists outside UEL’s walls. It’s why we take your learning off campus and give you the chance to work on real-life projects that benefit society directly.
This fieldwork will not only broaden your own practical experiences but allow you to observe the practice of professionals as you do so.
Coursework will include assignments, self reflective assignments, presentations and group work.
The approximate percentages for this course are:
Year 1: 100% coursework
Year 2: 100% coursework
Year 3: 100% coursework
The course is assessed entirely by coursework such as essays, video presentations and a research dissertation.
You’ll be taught by staff with relevant experience and practice to ensure you learn from real life experience and research. We offer dual delivery which combines traditional on-campus face-to-face teaching and online teaching simultaneously, allowing you to interact as if you were there in person. You can move smoothly between online and on campus teaching subject to your individual timetable (and health requirements). Students can interact and collaborate in person and online in any of these live-streamed sessions. Live-streamed sessions will also be recorded, so you can login when you want, playback and watch from the comfort of your home and whilst on the go.
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, and preparing for exams. 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.
Students are supported with any academic or subject related queries by an Academic Advisor, module leaders, former and current UEL students. If you need support with certain skills such as academic writing, our Skillzone and English for Academic Purposes offer workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments will help you to achieve your 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 for 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 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, practical activities.
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, be a support 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.
Class sizes: 30
Who will teach on this course
Micky LeVoguer
Hattie Campbell
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.
Your future career
Early Childhood Studies gives you the skills and knowledge to work in a wide range of jobs with children and for children and their families.
Graduates have taken jobs in local government, the NHS, charities, housing associations and day nurseries.
Their roles have included childcare project managers, family support workers, play co-ordinators, out-of-school project managers and classroom/education assistants.
The University of East London has strong and trusted relationships with local schools, childcare organisations and loyal alumni. This means you’ll have plenty of contact with potential employers through work placements, mentoring and guest lecturers.
If you already work, the degree will enhance your enjoyment and boost your progress because you will have a deeper understanding of what you do. You may find it easier to move into a management role, for example.
Early Childhood Studies also equips you with transferable skills such as working to a deadline, giving presentations and project management, which are beneficial in many other careers.
You may wish to further your journey in childhood studies on one of UEL’s postgraduate courses. For example, this degree allows you to qualify as a social worker by taking an approved postgraduate degree, or as a primary school teacher by taking a PGCE. It also prepares you to train as a speech and language therapist.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal
