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Early Childhood Studies BA Honours

Make a difference in young lives as you explore how education shapes the development of younger children in a course taught by experts with real-life experience
Code
X310
Start
September 2024
Duration
3 years full-time
Attendance
Full-time
Fees
£9,250 (UK)*
£16,600 (INT)*
Course leader
Jeenal Desai

Why choose Early Childhood Studies BA Honours at Middlesex?

Our course provides a rich learning experience that combines placement practice and knowledge from various disciplines.

This course is designed with young children as its focus. It also considers how an increasingly global world affects early childhood development and education.

Our students rate this course highly as shown by our excellent results in the National Student Survey, 2023:

  • 94% of students were positive about the way their course developed their knowledge and skills
  • 92% of students were positive about the quality of learning resources and facilities on their course
  • 91% of students were positive about the learning opportunities, organisation and management of their course.

What you will gain

Early education and care employers are looking for graduates with a broad understanding of social issues, well-developed personal transferable skills, assessed professional competencies, and a sense of personal values.

You will be encouraged to work towards sector-recognised early childhood graduate practitioner competencies and qualify as a Level 6 Early Childhood Practitioner.

Accreditation

Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (ECSCN) Level 6 Graduate Practitioner Competencies as it fulfills the Full and Relevant Criteria in England. This accreditation is highly significant for employment in the Early Years sector, as it allows you to work unsupervised and evidences capability to lead practice.

What you will learn

A team of highly motivated professionals will support you in your learning and assessment. And this is why we scored 94% student satisfaction in the 2023 National Student Survey because “lecturers go out of their way to help and ensure that we are feeling okay with assignments and that makes me feel respected and worthy.”

You will learn how to make a significant and lasting impact on the early years profession. You may also be eligible to apply for Level 6 Graduate Practitioner Competencies status upon graduation.

On this course, your learning will be supported by:

  • Highly experienced tutors who will help you understand and apply the material from this course
  • A personal tutor and committed student learning and graduate academic assistant who has studied your subject and can support you based on their own experience
  • A field trip to one of London's many museums or art galleries to explore concepts of childhood as part of your induction
  • A choice of optional models to help focus your areas of interest. These include special needs, digital media, creativity, and the mental health of children.

3 great reasons to pick this course

  • Highly ranked
    We're ranked in the top 20% of 531 young universities worldwide – Times Higher Education World Young University Ranking, 2023
  • Good education links
    Our connection to local schools, early years and childcare settings, and nurseries can lead to placement opportunities in your later years of study
  • Excellent facilities
    Including a large collection of resources covering childhood and education specialisms as well as useful online resources

Keep informed

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What will you study on Early Childhood Studies BA?

You will gain knowledge from interconnected disciplines including sociology, psychology, law, health, and management. You will then build this knowledge and skills in the real world with work placement informing and helping to build this valued sector.

Year 1

You will develop your knowledge and understanding of diversity in childhood, the key milestones in the developing child. You will look at factors contributing to infant health and well-being, and how theories of child development are reflected in policies and practices. You will also be introduced to the skills and knowledge needed to have a successful first work placement.

Year 2

You will explore the role of play in learning and well-being. You will also review the political and cultural background of policies that aim to address inequality including promoting children’s rights and supporting educational achievement. A second placement encourages will encourage you to develop your professional knowledge and skills.

Year 3

The final year placement will encourage you to develop a strong leadership identity and deepen your knowledge and understanding of professionalism. You will also have the opportunity to develop your knowledge in a choice of two specialist areas – from SEND, creativity, SEAL, and digital media. You will also engage in a small-scale, detailed study of any chosen aspect of early childhood.

Modules

  • Year 1

    • Early Childhood Development (30 credits) - Compulsory

      This module enables students to observe young children, using different observational techniques, and recognise key milestones achieved in the developing child. Ethical considerations involved with observing young children are examined and key learning and child development theories applied and evaluated.

    • Infant Health & Well-Being (30 credits) – Compulsory

      This module aims to extend students’ knowledge and understanding of factors contributing to infant health and well-being, examine theories of attachment and consider cross-cultural practices aimed at promoting attachment relationships and supporting early development, enabling students to evaluate the impact of early intervention strategies, policies and practices to provide support for parents/carers.

    • Children and Families in a Social Context (30 credits) – Compulsory

      This module introduces students to the historical, social, and global context of the child within the family and community. Students evaluate impact of parents, early years settings, and wider social influences on young children’s childhoods, learning and development, and early years pedagogy. Students explore the role of early years professionals in promoting children’s rights, anti-discriminatory practices, and equality.

    • Professional Placement 1 (30 credits) – Compulsory

      This module provides students with the opportunity to prepare and plan for work placement, learning about expectations and responsibilities of the professional working with babies and young children in practice. Students will be introduced to the skills and knowledge necessary for successful work placement and supported to enrich their professional and academic progression with critical reflection on their experiences.

  • Year 2

    • Introduction to Research Methods (30 credits) – Compulsory

      The driving force behind this module is the idea that knowledge and skills of social research are today of fundamental importance in virtually all professions, but especially within the fields of education and early childhood. Therefore, the module encourages and trains students to go beyond simply learning research skills and to engage with research critically and reflectively in their daily lives.

    • Early Childhood: Equality, Rights and Inclusion (30 credits) – Compulsory

      The module presents a variety of concepts of childhood and early years education across history and culture. By applying the most influential social theories of childhood developed in the 20th and 21st centuries, the module analyses the relationships between the social contexts and contemporary issues for EY practice, such as inequalities, children’s rights, and children’s well-being and achievement.

    • Professional Placement 2 (30 credits) – Compulsory

      This module enables students to use the placement experience to explore how pedagogy, practice and the overall educational environment impacts learning, well-being and rights of babies and young children. The module builds on themes within EDU1217 and students’ capacity to apply theories to reflect on professional expectations, responsibilities and identities.

    • Insights into Play & Pedagogy (30 credits) – Compulsory

      This module explores what play is, why we play and how play can foster learning, development and wellbeing. The module investigates the role of play in different pedagogic approaches, and considers sociocultural factors that shape play such as: historical developments, gender, cultural background and class, and play in different parts of the world.

  • Year 3

    • Professional Placement 3 (30 credits) – Compulsory

      This module builds on EDI1217 and EDU2217 to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of professionalism within the early years. The module supports development of critical thinking skills, emotional literacy, communication and interpersonal skills, and collaboration. Students reflect on their developing effective pedagogical approaches and a strong leadership identity.

    • Independent Research Project (30 credits) – Compulsory

      This module builds on EDU2201 to develop students’ research skills by engaging in a small scale, detailed study of an existing field within early childhood. Students organise and manage a research investigation with insight, demonstrating skilful use of research tools and responsibility and display critical judgement in relating these to the wider educational and social context.

    • Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion (30 credits) – Optional

      This module looks at special educational needs, disability and inclusion in education and concentrates on the definitions of learning difficulty and disability and the extent to which parents, pupils and students with Special Needs and Disabilities have access to the same educational opportunities as others.

    • Creativity and the Arts in Education (30 credits) – Optional

      This module is concerned with the psychological and sociological approaches to creativity, and looks at what creativity is and how creativity is linked to the learning and wellbeing of individuals. The module examines the role of the arts in early childhood and how they are differentiated through education and developmental processes.

    • Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (30 credits) – Optional

      This module considers the many social and emotional influences on the child and how these affect their learning and educational experience. Students are asked to reflect on, and evaluate their own emotions and interpersonal skills, with a view to using this to help them to explore the social and emotional aspects of teaching and learning.

    • The Digital Child (30 credits) – Optional

      This module examines the media landscape and children’s relationship and response to it. Issues, such as, screen time and social media consumption in relation to childhood stress and brain development; violence and video games; advertising and positive media interactivity are explored within the context of safeguarding procedures, policy regulation and commercial initiatives.

To find out more about this course, please download the Early Childhood Studies BA specification (PDF).

We review our courses regularly to improve your experience and graduate prospects so modules may be subject to change.

  1. Teaching and independent learning
  2. Assessment and feedback

The Sheppard Library

Our library is open 24 hours a day during the term and includes:

  • Over 1,000 study areas with rooms for group study and over 600 computer spaces
  • 350,000 books and e-books and more than 24,000 online journals
  • Free laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing.

Student support

We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.

Additional needs

We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.

Wellness

Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.

Work while you study

Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.

Financial support

You can apply for scholarships and bursaries and our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.

We have also reduced the costs of studying with free laptop loans, free learning resources and discounts to save money on everyday things. Check out our guide to student life on a budget.

How can the Early Childhood Studies BA support your career?

When you complete this course you may seek employment as Level 6 Graduate Early Childhood Practitioners in nurseries, nursery schools and preschools – or apply for the PGCE/QTS Training in Education (Primary and Early Years).

Alternatively, you may seek careers in Special Educational Needs support services, unqualified teaching positions in independent and free schools, teaching assistant roles in Primary and Higher Education, Local Authority Education administration, Parenting Support or other Social Work courses.

Others seeking a more academic or research route may continue to develop their careers studying for master's courses, including our own MA in Education and Childhood in Diverse Societies, or seek employment as research assistants.

MDXworks

Our employability service, MDXworks will launch you into the world of work from the beginning of your course, with placements, projects and networking opportunities through our 1000+ links with industry and big-name employers in London and globally.

Our dedicated lifetime career support, like our business start-up support programme and funding for entrepreneurs, has been recognised with the following awards:

The top 20 UK universities for business leaders and entrepreneurs – Business Money, 2023

A top 10 university for producing CEOs – Novuana, 2023.

Global network

You’ll study with students from 122 countries who’ll hopefully become part of your global network. And after you graduate, we'll still support you through our alumni network to help you progress in your chosen career.

Work placements

Placements greatly improve graduate employment prospects and are a fundamental part of this course.

You will gain hands-on practical skills in placement in an early years setting that suits your interest. Students who do this degree complete take assessed work placements in a broad range of early years settings including schools, or health and social care.

Personal support is provided in securing suitable work placements, and help is given to gather the required evidence that demonstrates your professional competency.

Our specialist employability service will help you find placement opportunities.

  1. UK entry
  2. International entry
  3. How to apply

These fees are for 2024/25:

UK students1

Full-time: £9,250

International students2

Full-time students: £16,600

Additional costs

The following study tools are included in your fees:

  • Free access to resources, learning materials and software you need to succeed on your course
  • Free laptop loans for up to 24 hours
  • Free printing for academic paperwork
  • Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.

Scholarships and bursaries

To help make uni affordable, we do everything we can to support you including our:

  • MDX Excellence Scholarship offers grants of up to £2,000 per year for UK students
  • Regional or International Merit Awards which reward International students with up to £2,000 towards course fees
  • Our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.

Find out more about undergraduate funding and all of our scholarships and bursaries.

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase undergraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.

Dr Lynette Morris
Senior Lecturer in Education Early Childhood

Lynette Morris is a Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Education and Early Childhood. Lynette is a Qualified Primary Teacher with extensive practice experience with 2-8 years. She is a contributor and reviewer for leading international peer-reviewed journals.

Dr Angela Scollan
Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Education and Early Childhood

Angela Scollan is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Education and Early Childhood. Angela had a long career within the early years sector in practice, Ofsted Inspection, and consultancy. She is a leading advocate, speaker, and author on children’s rights and self-determination.

Dr Jacqueline Harding
Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies

Jaqueline Harding is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Education and Early Childhood. Jacqueline is an author of best-selling books for children and adults, and is internationally known as a leading child development expert and media presenter.

  • Polly Aktar

    Early Childhood Studies BA graduate

    I always knew I wanted to work with children. I've found that this course has provided me with a good background to ideas and practices that are taken from various disciplines such as psychology, history, law and management. The course also enabled me to take part in a nursery-based placement and I enjoyed every minute of it!

    I am eager to pursue a career as a primary school teacher. I've applied to do the PGCE (Primary Education) with Middlesex and have received a conditional offer. All the tutors are extremely supportive and have been helping me to pass the Skills test which is a requirement for the PGCE. The Early Childhood Studies course has made my desire to become a teacher even stronger and I've already been recommending Middlesex University to other people.


We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

Other courses

Education Studies BA Honours

Start: September 2024

Duration: 3 years full-time, Flexible part-time

Code: X300

Primary Education (QTS) BA Honours

Start: September 2024

Duration: 3 years full-time

Code: X120

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