Early Childhood Studies Online BA (Hons)

This course is in clearing

Overview

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 with distance learning: 96 UCAS points

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.

Course options

Start date

Degree with distance learning

UCAS code: X306

Early Childhood Studies Online BA (Hons), home applicant, full time

  • Home Applicant ,
  • Full time, 3 years
  • £ 9,790 per year. Subject to change, see Fees, Funding and Additional Costs below.

Early Childhood Studies Online BA (Hons), home applicant, part time

  • Home Applicant ,
  • Part time
  • pro-rata full time fee, two pathways 3/4 modules per year

Early Childhood Studies Online BA (Hons), international applicant, full time

  • International Applicant
  • Full time, 3 years
  • £ 16020 per year

Your future career

We offer dedicated careers support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career 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 the following organisations:

  • Child Care and Early Years Education - Newham Council
  • LEYF London (Early Years Foundation)

Graduate employers

Our graduates have been employed by organisations such as N Family Club, Bright Horizons, and London Early Years Foundation.

Job roles

Typical roles our graduates go into are nursery educator, parental outreach worker, nursery manager and area manager.

Further study

We offer a wide range of masters degrees in special education, early childhood or leadership in education, should you choose to specialise further.

Dorcus, Early Childhood student
The job I am doing right now was advertised through the UEL careers service."
Dorcus

Early Childhood graduate

How we support your career ambitions

We offer dedicated careers support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career 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.

Career Zone

This digital platform provides you with careers and employability resources, including:

  • Jobs board for internships, placements, graduate opportunities, flexible part-time work
  • Mentoring programmes for insight with industry experts
  • 1-2-1 career coaching services
  • Careers workshops and employer events
  • Learning pathways to gain new skills and industry insight

Mental Wealth programme

Our Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth programme which issues you with a Careers Passport to track the skills you've mastered. Some of these are externally validated by corporations like Amazon and Microsoft.

Our Mental Wealth programme

We are careers first

Our teaching methods and geographical location put us right up top:

  • Work-based projects
  • Networking and visits to leading organisations
  • Support in starting a new business
  • London on our doorstep

Official student data from Discover Uni

The banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).

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

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

Lisa Taylor
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

Summer Campaign 2016 - Emma Welch - Early Childhood
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)