Linda Christodoulou

Early Childhood Studies, graduated 2006, now doing PGCE

"I missed out on going to university first time round. I was working in a nursery and had an NVQ Level 3 in Early Years, so I could start doing a foundation degree – it was the opportunity to fulfil my dream of getting a degree."

"It’s such a supportive, encouraging environment."

"I’m really impressed with the standard of the lecturers here. They genuinely care and want you to do well. And at Brookes I meet so many people with whom I share common ground – professional people who want to achieve."

Education, Early Years and Teacher Training

How should we educate our children for the 21st century? How does the learning of children differ from the learning of adults? How will the internet and other media revolutionise the way we create and acquire knowledge?

These issues make education and childhood development one of the most challenging and exciting fields to be working in today.

Oxford is a world-renowned centre of education, with a vibrant cultural environment that offers students unparalleled opportunities with thriving community networks in early childhood education and care, and Oxfordshire has a proud history of village-based, high quality primary education. But there is also another Oxford, which suffers social exclusion. The study of early childhood and education at Oxford Brookes is equally concerned with the questions that this other Oxford poses for educators.

Why choose Oxford Brookes?

Our education and early years academics are amongst the best in the country. Read more…

We work closely with a wide range of organisations – from local authorities to government bodies – at the leading edge of developments in the field.

Close working with our local partners shapes our courses and early childhood students have the opportunity for placements in local nurseries, children's centres and hospitals.

Oxford Brookes is an international university and every year students from all over the world enrol on our courses. This provides students with a unique opportunity to learn from the lives and experiences of a rich variety of fellow-students. The important areas of diversity and inclusion are threaded throughout the three years, with opportunities for an in-depth focus in both education and early years. The courses also consider international perspectives and globalisation as these are crucial to our understanding of the disciplines.

Our extensive research into teaching gifted and talented children provides insights into this emerging field and our research into the key issues will make sure you’re at the forefront of education.

How we teach and how you'll learn

Our courses are taught in flexible and innovative ways. Read more…

Students are involved in practical work through placements, outdoor learning and display work, as well as producing written assignments and portfolios where the links between theory and practice can be highlighted.

Lectures and seminars have an important part to play, alongside group work, projects and innovative teaching methods such as the Brookes Virtual Learning Environment. We listen carefully to our students and their evaluations are very positive. Our student-centred teaching and the in depth support provided by tutors are particularly appreciated. You will be encouraged and expected to be active learners and the wide range of teaching methods that we use requires a high level of commitment to learning. The encouragement of critical reflection on your own life experiences is also a strong theme.

Your career prospects

Our graduates are positive and creative individuals who have developed teamwork skills in collaborative learning. Read more…

They have been encouraged to develop their capacity for critical and intellectually disciplined thinking which takes a global perspective. We believe that these are the qualities needed in today’s rapidly developing society.

About half our students go on to postgraduate or teacher training courses. But there are many other opportunities open to education and early years graduates. Local and central government, police family liaison, social work and careers advice are all areas that our graduates have entered. Early Childhood Studies students are also benefiting from the increasing focus on early years with initiatives such as Early Years Professional Status, a graduate-level status that all nurseries and children’s centres will need to address over the next few years. Our courses will equip you for a leadership position in an early years setting.

Which courses can I study to start in 2012?

Learn more about the courses you can study to start in September 2012. Read more…

Which courses can I study to start in 2013?

Learn more about the courses you can study to start in September 2013. Read more…