Early Childhood Studies

University of Portsmouth
Undergraduate BA (Hons) Full-time 3 Years Social work, childhood, and youth studies

A-Level Entry

BBC - BCC

UCAS Points

104 - 112 points

Avg. Graduate Salary

£28,000

About this course

This is a Connected Degree

Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course.

Overview

If you want to help children have the best start in life, there are questions you need to explore. For example: how is their wellbeing affected by factors like digital technologies, race, culture and globalisation? On this course, you'll look for answers across a child's crucial first 8 years.

On your BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree, you’ll discover how a child develops physically, emotionally and mentally. And with plenty of opportunities to work with children, you’ll practice how to make a positive difference for them. You can customise your degree and develop specialist skills that are valued in a variety of professions.

Course highlights

  • Learn different ways to measure children’s development from birth to age 8, which you can apply in all kinds of careers

  • Choose to do a different work placement in every year of study – from local schools, to other organisations that put young children first

  • Develop new skills by working with children in our own play and sensory rooms, and in outdoor environments such as forests and beaches

  • Look at how children are affected by society and politics, and discover what psychology and philosophy teach us about early years

  • Be taught by experts and hear from guest speakers, with unique insights into childhood and education based on their lived experience

  • Gain transferable skills in psychology, sociology, teaching and learning, leadership and management, and creative thinking

    You can follow an optional psychology pathway through this degree by choosing specific modules in psychology. This will lead to a BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Psychology award when you graduate.

    You can achieve the professional status of 'Graduate Practitioner' for Early Years Practice by undertaking assessed practice in the early years sector in each year of study. This leads to the award BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Graduate Practitioner). This professional accreditation is recognised by the Department for Education and highly regarded by early years employers.

    In your final year, you can tailor your studies to include the Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) route, which leads to the award of Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS).

    Careers and opportunities You’ll graduate with rewarding career options, including working with children, families and communities in a variety of professional roles.

    You could also take your studies further on a postgraduate course, such as MA Education Studies or MSc Educational Leadership and Management.

    What jobs can you do with an early childhood studies degree?

    Our graduates work in a range of educational roles and settings:

  • early years teaching – with Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS)

  • primary teaching – with a PGCE or SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training) leading to QTS (Qualified Teacher Status)

  • pedagogical leadership in early childhood

  • early years provision and setting management

  • forest school leadership and training

  • freelance education and private tutoring

  • special educational and disability needs

    Our graduates also pursue a variety of careers related to health and wellbeing:

  • health and wellbeing promotion

  • family support

  • professional nannying

  • therapeutic play – with further training

  • play work

    Our graduates also become consultants and researchers into early years issues.

    Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.

    • Entry Requirements

    A-Level Grades BBC - BCC
    UCAS Tariff Points 104 - 112 points
    BTEC DMM

    Study Options

    This course is available in 2 study options:

    Full-time Shown above

    Duration: 3 Years

    Qualification: BA (Hons)

    Location: Portsmouth

    Avg. Salary: £28,000

    Sandwich

    Duration: 4 Years

    Qualification: BA (Hons)

    Location: Portsmouth

    Avg. Salary: £28,000

    Career Prospects

    Graduates from this course typically go into the following occupations:

    2317 Teachers of English as a foreign language
    1172 Social services managers and directors
    2461 Social workers
    2319 Teaching professionals
    2316 Special and additional needs education teaching professionals
    3231 Higher level teaching assistants

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    A-Levels

    BBB - BBC

    UCAS Points

    112 - 120 points

    Avg. Salary

    £26,000

    Course Details

    Qualification
    Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
    Study Mode
    Full-time
    Duration
    3 Years
    Start Date
    2025
    Academic Year
    2025
    Campus / Location
    Portsmouth
    Scheme
    Undergraduate
    Subjects
    Social work, childhood, and youth studies
    Avg. Graduate Salary
    £28,000

    Offered by

    University of Portsmouth

    Portsmouth

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