Early Childhood Studies - BA (Hons)

University College Birmingham

Covering work with children aged 0-8 years, our course offers the special benefit of being one of the first Early Childhood Studies degrees in the UK – and the only one in the Birmingham area – to include the new

. Awarded in your final year, these demonstrate your holistic understanding of early childhood and your ability to critically apply knowledge to practice. By adding Graduate Practitioner Competencies to your final award, you’ll be at the forefront of graduate practice and have new opportunities to strengthen your employability, as well as for progression onto postgraduate academic programmes or professional training in everything from teaching to social work and play therapy.Our course will teach you about key characteristics of childhood and how to meet the developmental needs of young children, including wider topics such as inclusion, health, safeguarding, and leadership. You will also gain extensive work experience across a variety of placements and go on visits to observe different childhood approaches first-hand, as well as having opportunities for additional qualifications and enrichment activities including Makaton training, Paediatric First Aid, introductory Lego therapy, and baby massage sessions.

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– From day care and nurseries to primary school mentoring and special education, gain real-life experience on a variety of placements throughout your degree-

– Widen your skills with enrichment opportunities such as Lego therapy, Makaton training, baby massage, Paediatric First Aid, and food hygiene-

– Our course includes the Graduate Practitioner Competencies developed by the ECSDN (now included in the QAA Early Childhood Studies Subject Benchmark Statements with practice at Level 6 recognised by the DfE)

Our course includes a mandatory requirement of 200 hours on placement each year. Year 1 and 2 placements will focus on early childhood (ages 0-8) while the Year 3 placement will be determined where possible by your eventual career choice.Employers we have worked with include Aston University Nursery and Pre-school, Birmingham Centre for Arts Therapies, Arden Primary School, Queen Alexandra College, James Brindley Parkway, Little Scallywags Day Nursery and St Thomas Centre Nursery.

Examples of careers you could pursue following this course:- Early years teacher/primary school teacher- Learning mentor- Family support worker- Special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)- Social worker (NHS)- Mental health nurseYou could also progress onto one of our postgraduate courses at University College Birmingham.-