Three years full-time or four to six years part-time.

The aim of the course is to provide a broadly-based academic and multidisciplinary professional foundation for a variety of careers working with children birth-eight years old.

The course is taught by a highly experienced multidisciplinary team with expertise in the fields of education, health, inclusion and social care. It draws on external practitioners and experts to provide specialist input.

There are opportunities to undertake placements and field work in early childhood education and care settings to enable strong links between academic study and professional experience of the workplace. Students choose a specialist option of education, health or social care for their stage three studies, which is linked to their field work/placement and dissertation.

A popular feature of the course is an opportunity to visit a European country in stage two to study early years provision in a different context.

Students will gain a broad understanding of the professional issues that underpin work in the care and education of young children from an inter-disciplinary and multi-professional perspective.

As well as equipping students with a detailed understanding of young children's development, it will enable them to develop transferable skills that are highly relevant to employment as an early years practitioner or in health and social care careers.

The course consists of modules that cover aspects of children's development and learning in family, community and wider national and international contexts. It also benefits particularly from specialist input in relation to special educational needs, cultural diversity and creative and therapeutic approaches to working with children.

Stage one

Students will be able to develop their knowledge and understanding of studying child development; the child, children's services and the law; children's health and wellbeing and professional, personal and academic development.

Stage two

Students will be able to develop their knowledge and understanding of children in society; children and their learning; safeguarding and looking after children; personal, professional and academic development and research and inquiry.

Stage three

Students will be able to develop their knowledge and understanding of creative arts in children's services and leadership and management studies. They will be able to follow an education, health or social care option and undertake their own research.

• Multi-disciplinary approach across education, health and social care
• Placements and field work opportunities
• Optional European visit
• Career flexibility

• Children in Society
• Leadership and Management Studies
• Research
• Safeguarding and Looking After Children
• Studying Child Development
• The Child, Children's Services and the Law

This Early Childhood Studies degree provides an excellent preparation for graduate leadership of early years settings and for rapid progress to Early Years Professional Status. It is recognised as providing a firm foundation for those wishing to teach through a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP). Students also undertake an MA in Social Work.

Year one spring term general practice

This placement aims to develop students' knowledge, understanding and skills relating to early years professional practice, particularly the role of communication, and the study of young children in early years settings.

Year two autumn, spring and professional pathway early years focus

This placement aims to develop students' knowledge, understanding and skills relating to early years professional practice, with a focus on diversity and inclusion, and the study of young children in early years settings.

Year three autumn and professional practice focus

The autumn placement provides the context for an individual research project focused on an aspect of government policy. Typically, during this placement each student will locate information which will form the basis of an assignment.

Year three health focus (children's centre/social care setting)

Students take this placement in a children's centre or social care setting to enable them to distinguish between different child care providers.  They will look at the services offered and the benefits this can have for families.