All of the modules on this course are compulsory and worth either 20 or 40 credits each.

Year 1

• Understanding and observing child development
• Childrens meaning making
• Safeguarding young children
• Becoming a reflective practitioner
• Play, learning and pedagogy

Year 2

• Promoting health and wellbeing
• Children, families and communities
• Engaging with research
• Working with additional needs
• Exploration, creativity and curriculum.

Year 3

• Contemporary issues in the early years
• Constructions of childhood,
• Leadership and teamwork
• The creative practitioner
• Dissertation

This course is taught via a combination of lectures, seminars, workplace practice, presentations, case studies and group workshops. UCW’s Higher Education Library Plus (HE.LP) team also deliver a series of sessions on degree-level research and academic writing to all first-year students. When not in scheduled lecturers and seminars, students are expected to continue learning through independent self-study. This involves reading relevant literature, working on individual and group projects, and undertaking research in preparation for coursework and exams.

This course has 10 hours scheduled teaching which takes place over 1 full day and an additional half day.   Within the half day there is flexibility with physical attendance depending on individual circumstances which can be negotiated with the team.

There is a requirement to be employed within the sector or to undertake relevant placement experience.  

Assessment is via 100% coursework, there are no written exams on this degree.

Please click on the Course Handbook button to find out more.

• Students who pass this course are eligible to apply for postgraduate courses such as the MA in Education (Early Years) at Bath Spa University.
• Many graduates from the course have also sought to enter the education profession on other pathways including a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) leading to either Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Graduates of this course are also qualified to work in management roles in settings such as nurseries and children centres and in areas including community and family project work, child protection and social work.

Industry insight

There are more than 33,000 group-based and school-based early years education providers in the UK (DfE Survey of Childcare and Early Years Providers).

A Level 3 qualification in a related area, such as A Levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma, or a T Level,  or an Access to Higher Education Diploma, or equivalent. Applicants are also required to attend an interview, and we strongly advise that applicants undertake relevant work experience to show professionalism and understanding of the industry.

As UCW has vulnerable adults, children and young people studying on site at times, all students are asked to disclose if they have a criminal record at enrolment.  This is so that we can achieve our priority of ensuring the safety of all children, young people, or adults at risk within our community.  In addition, some programmes require students to obtain an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an additional cost. For more information please click here.

Programme Handbook

UCW Terms and Conditions

Bath Spa University Terms and Conditions