Overview
This Early Childhood Studies degree offers an engaging exploration of childhood experiences and the profound impact these experiences have on a child's development. You will delve into childhood education from various critical perspectives, investigating the many factors shaping childhood experience.
You will have the chance to engage with the local community through practical projects. This means you can apply your knowledge to create solutions for real-world issues. This early childhood degree also provides insight into what jobs you can do with an early childhood degree, broadening your career prospects.
Our academic team boasts a diverse range of professional backgrounds and cultural perspectives. We have over 100 years of combined experience in the field of early childhood studies. This bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education course is available online to accommodate different learning preferences and lifestyles.
Key topics covered in the course include:
- Childhood Health: Understanding the physical and mental health aspects of childhood and their significance in development.
- Early Years Legislation: Examining the laws and policies that govern early childhood education and care.
- Global Inequalities in Childhood: Investigating disparities in childhood experiences across different cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds.
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Course modules
The Early Childhood Studies foundation year provides essential academic and professional skills to support you. It covers key areas such as social, emotional, and mental health, placements in play and learning, and academic writing. You'll enhance your digital proficiency, research abilities, and understanding of child development to prepare for the full degree.
The Early Childhood Studies Year 1 modules introduce key theories of child development, pedagogy, and inclusion. It teaches you research and academic skills. You'll explore social and cultural experiences, do practical observations, and develop professional skills for careers in early childhood education. The programme emphasises critical thinking, reflective practice, and digital skills to support you.
The Early Childhood Studies Year 2 modules focus on developing key skills such as emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and reflective practice. You will explore social justice, research methodologies, and contemporary educational issues. You'll have practical experiences in curriculum models and multimodal learning. These modules prepare you for applied research and effective practice in early years education.
The Early Childhood Studies Year 3 modules focus on leadership, research, and global perspectives in early childhood education. You'll do independent research projects and explore Montessori literacy practices. You'll develop teamwork and communication skills through placements. With a focus on critical thinking, inclusivity, and professional development, this final year prepares you for careers in early childhood education.
NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.
Download course specification
Download the course specifications.
Entry requirements
What makes this course different

Highly rated by our students
91% of students surveyed on this course responded positively to questions on “The Teaching on my Course” in the 2024 National Student Survey.
(National Student Survey 2024, Results published 10 July 2024)

1st in London
We are the top London university for Childhood & Youth Studies courses (Complete University Guide 2024).
See rankings
Teaching and learning
Develop a reflective approach to special education and critical thinking skills which are transferable to the workplace.
Your future career
We offer dedicated careers support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our early childhood education courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career in education and provide you with the essential skills needed. You can focus on building interpersonal skills through group work and benefit from our investment in the latest cutting-edge technologies and facilities.
Industry links
We have links with:
- Child Care and Early Years Education - Newham Council
- LEYF London (Early Years Foundation)
Graduate employers
Our early childhood graduates have been employed by organisations such as N Family Club, Bright Horizons, and London Early Years Foundation.
Job roles
Wondering what jobs you can do with an early childhood degree?
Typical roles our early childhood graduates go into are nursery educator, parental outreach worker, nursery manager and area manager.
Further study
We offer a wide range of master's degrees in special education, early childhood or leadership in education, should you choose to specialise further.

The job I am doing right now was advertised through the UEL careers service."Dorcus
Early Childhood graduate
How you'll learn
Based at the School of Childhood and Social Care 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 that 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.
All of your lecturers are research-active and draw upon their own and others' publications to enhance your understanding of key themes and concepts.
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 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.
Students are supported with any academic or subject-related queries by an Academic Adviser, 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.
Fieldwork
The subject of early childhood is only relevant when it is applied to the reality which exists outside UEL's walls. That'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.
Dedicated personal tutor
You'll be taught by staff with relevant experience and practice to ensure you learn from real-life experience and research. We encourage an educational experience that is active, social, collaborative, engaging, and student-owned. You will have access to a variety of resources ensuring your learning experience goes beyond the classroom.
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.
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.
Workload
Each year you will spend around 300 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars, and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.
The approximate hours for this course are:
- Year 1: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours
- Year 2: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours
- Year 3: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours
Your timetable
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9.00am and 6.00pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible.
Class sizes
To give you an indication of class sizes, lecture sizes are normally 30 people. However, this can vary by academic year.
How you'll be assessed
Assessment tasks are mainly spread across the year to make the workload manageable. Assessment methods include group work 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.
The course is assessed entirely by coursework such as essays, video presentations, and a research dissertation. Coursework will include assignments, self-reflective assignments, presentations, and group work.
Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL's assessment and feedback policy.
Campus and facilities
Stratford Campus, London, E15 4LZ
Our historic Stratford campus is located in one of the best-connected areas of London: close to Stratford's thriving town centre, the 2012 Olympic Park, just 15 minutes from London's West End and 20 minutes from Canary Wharf.
Stratford’s facilities include a state-of-the-art library and learning centre, the majestic Great Hall and specialist laboratories and computing services. The School of Childhood and Social Care and Centre for Clinical Education in Podiatry, Physiotherapy and Sports Science are housed in new buildings. There is also a campus restaurant and bookshop, and a Students' Union café-bar.
Westfield Stratford City - Europe's largest indoor shopping mall - is just one of Stratford's attractions, alongside many other shops, cafés, bars, restaurants and cinemas. Stratford is fast becoming London's new cultural quarter, with Sadler's Wells East and V&A East moving in.
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 Education Studies

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)