About Early Childhood Studies in Staffordshire University

You'll have a holistic approach to understanding early childhood, relating appropriate educational theory to practice. You'll look critically at the role of play, considering differing curriculum models and examining the impact of early childhood researchers and theorists on current government perspectives and practices.

This degree will prepare you for many types of employment and is supported by employers within the industry. Graduates from our Early Childhood Studies degree have progressed into primary Teacher Training, early years teaching, social work, further education, charity work and management. You'll gain placement opportunities across the birth to 8 years old age range and you'll establish lifelong networks that you can use throughout your career.

This course is designed using our brand-new pathways structure. This means, if you're studying a 3-year degree, you'll have the opportunity to tailor your course towards Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) during the second year, exploring the education of young children with complex learning needs and disabilities.

We also offer part-time foundation and Top-up degrees in education studies, so whatever your working commitments and academic background, there's a path into education for you.

On successful completion of study, depending on your choice of specialism pathway,  we will issue you with one of the following awards:

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Special Education Needs and Disabilities)

Work placements

Our placement staff will work with you to identify a suitable location for your work placement. Please also note that you are responsible for any costs incurred in travelling to and from your work placement, and for any accommodation costs.

 Students on our Early Childhood Studies degrees have worked with:

Schools

Colleges

Early years settings

SEND settings

NGOs

Private training organisations

Local Councils

Armed Forces

Prison Service

Local Authorities

The Education Department works with local, regional and national employers alongside international university partners to provide students with placement and work experience opportunities both in the UK and abroad. Previous locations have included Italy, Spain and China. We are currently planning this years’ student visit to Tübingen, Germany.

All students will attend work placements in early years settings throughout the programme, they will be expected to undertake work based activities in preparation for their teaching and learning sessions. These may include information exercises such as locating relevant policies and resource audits for review and discussion. Observations of children or work processes in the placement/work setting may be used to inform discussion, such as analysing children's needs, involvement in the planning process or the preparation of work focused learning materials. Placement records will provide support for learners on placement and all students will be supported by a work-based supervisor within the setting.

Entry requirements

To apply for an undergraduate (bachelors) degree you need one of the following qualifications:

• Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) / Standard 12/ XII with a minimum score of 65% overall

• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma with 28 points overall
• Successful completion of a relevant International Foundation Year from a recognised UK Institution
• For A-Level requirements, please see the ‘entry requirements’ section on the relevant course page