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Early Childhood Studies

BA (Hons)

Key facts

UCAS code

X315

Start dates

September 2023 / September 2024

Location

Harcourt Hill

Course length

Full time: 3 years

Part time: a maximum of 8 years

Department

School of Education

UCAS Tariff Points

104

Overview

Children today face complex futures - and an uncertain world. Technology is rapidly changing children’s lives - and their rights. Perceptions of gender identity are shifting. And austerity has impacted children’s development across the UK and the world.

Early Childhood practitioners with specialist skills and professional knowledge are needed - now more than ever - to support children and families with the challenges of the 21st Century.

And when you study Early Childhood Studies at Oxford Brookes, you’ll explore the most significant issues facing children today - like:

  • digital technologies and children’s understanding of the online world
  • inequality, and its impact on children and families
  • children’s emotional health

You’ll also build sought-after practitioner skills for a career working with children, families and communities. You’ll build hands-on experience through your placements. And you’ll graduate with convincing experience on your CV, ready to progress into fields like:

  • Teacher training
  • Play therapy
  • Special educational needs
  • Social work and more
Students leaving seminar

How to apply

Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. The combination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.

Standard offer

UCAS Tariff Points: 104

A Level: BCC

IB Points: 29

BTEC: DMM

Contextual offer

UCAS Tariff Points: 88

A Level: CCD

IB Points: 27

BTEC: MMM

Further offer details

The course welcomes a wide range of students with many different academic backgrounds. You may have studied either arts or science subjects at school, and you may have a mix of A and AS-levels, hold vocational qualifications or have completed an access course. Above all, enthusiasm and a keen interest in human development and children's learning are the key attributes of our students.

Applications are also welcomed for consideration from applicants with European qualifications, international qualifications or recognised foundation courses. For advice on eligibility please contact Admissions: admissions@brookes.ac.uk

 

Entry requirements

Specific entry requirements

Please also see the University's general entry requirements.

Screening

All applicants will be screened for fitness to practise and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be made.

English language requirements

Please see the University's standard English language requirements.

International qualifications and equivalences

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English requirements for visas

If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.

Pathways courses for international and EU students

If you do not meet the entry requirements for this degree, or if you would like more preparation before you start, you can take an international foundation course. Once you enrol, you will have a guaranteed pathway to this degree if you pass your foundation course with the required grades.

If you only need to meet the language requirements, you can take our pre-sessional English course. You will develop key language and study skills for academic success and you will not need to take an external language test to progress to your degree.

Terms and Conditions of Enrolment

When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.

Credit transfer

Many of our courses consider applications for entry part-way through the course for students who have credit from previous learning or relevant professional experience.

Find out more about transferring to Brookes. If you'd like to talk through your options, please contact our Admissions team.

Application process

Full time Home (UK) applicants

Apply through UCAS

Part time Home (UK) applicants

Apply direct to the University

International applicants

Apply direct to the University

Full time international applicants can also apply through UCAS

Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module

International full time
£14,600

Home (UK) full time
£9,250

Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module

International full time
£15,200

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

Tuition fees

2022 / 23
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module

International full time
£14,600

2023 / 24
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module

International full time
£15,200

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 483088

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Please note tuition fees for Home students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students.

Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

Learning and assessment

In your first year, you’ll learn about how children develop. You’ll explore outdoor learning and play. You’ll examine children’s rights. And you’ll investigate the pressures of growing up in the 21st Century. You’ll also get hands-on experience with children and families, through your first placement in an early years setting.

In your second year, you’ll start pursuing your interests. You might explore gender in childhood. Or you could examine how technology impacts children. You might learn about special educational needs, or children’s literacy. You’ll also carry out your second placement - strengthening your practical skills.

In your final year, you’ll start building specialist skills and knowledge. You might explore how inequality impacts childhood. Or look at education systems across the world. You’ll also carry out your final placement, where you’ll finesse your practitioner skills.

You can also develop more specialist knowledge throughout your degree, in areas like:

  • Gender
  • Literacy and reading
  • Outdoor learning
  • Special educational needs
Student studying

Study modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Working with Children 1 (double)

You’ll gain the real-life experience you need to succeed in your Early Childhood Studies Degree. You’ll explore how children learn, and focus on:

  • learning through play
  • children in early years settings
  • children’s representations 
  • child development in action.

You’ll gain hands-on experience by visiting early years and childcare settings, and explore and examine UK early years policy. You’ll have fantastic preparation for practice, as you get to know key issues such as:

  • safeguarding
  • child protection
  • ethical and inclusive practice
  • attachment theory in practice.

Research and Professional Practice (double)

You’ll gain the critical skills you need to study early childhood and succeed in your degree. You’ll learn how to analyse a range of texts, including:

  • academic research
  • government policy documents
  • media reports about children.

You’ll develop core critical reading skills and learn to produce and share information, as you engage in group activities and study key texts. You’ll acquire a strong understanding of the critical issues in Early Childhood Studies, and the skills to create pressing arguments around them. You’ll also develop key skills in academic reading and writing, unlocking your potential for excellence.

 

Listening to Young Children

What are children’s rights? How can we listen to children, and hear their voices? In this module, you’ll understand the core perspectives in listening to children, and how we can put these into practice. You’ll gain a key knowledge of early childhood, and how early childhood policy is set. You’ll build vital analytical skills for your degree, as you get to know the international context of policy and practice. You’ll reflect on your own responses to these practices, and decide your own approach to these issues.

Growing up in the 21st Century (double)

How does growing up in the 21st century affect children? In this module, you’ll explore how family and culture affects the learning and development of young children. You’ll gain a firm knowledge of the major theories around young children and how we understand them, including: 

  • attachment theory
  • socio-ecological theories (the relationship between people and their environment)
  • psychological theories.

We’ll also look at how these theories relate to families. You’ll explore the major social development of childhood and investigate how children are active members of society. 

 

Listening to Children

Optional modules

Education, Childhood and Youth in Popular Culture

How are schools, teachers and students represented in popular culture - from films to literary works? You’ll dig into recurring educational themes in our society, and how they reflect current debates on education, childhood and the role of the teacher. You’ll ask whether popular culture simply reproduces stereotypes about teaching and schools, or whether it can give us a new perspective on education. And you’ll consider why, as a culture, we’re so keen on reliving our school days through television and books. 

Introduction to Child and Adolescent Development

How do developmental issues impact children’s learning? You’ll gain a sound knowledge of development, and the developmental themes behind children’s learning. You’ll explore key developmental concepts that affect a child's capacity for learning, and evaluate alternative theoretical models of the learning process. You’ll also consider such topics as: 

  • the developing brain
  • constructivist and social constructivist approaches to making sense of the world
  • family, school, friends and other contexts for learning 
  • active engagement in learning - exploration and play 
  • self expression and creativity.

Young Children's Outdoor Learning

You’ll explore how young children learn through play. You’ll also discover how adults plan exploration and play for children in outdoors environments. You’ll get to grips with two key areas: 

  • maintaining good provisions and interactions in an early years outdoors area
  • teaching and learning through the Forest School approach. 

You’ll look at how children and adults interact in a variety of situations. You’ll also gain core knowledge of health and safety training, as you study issues such as: 

  • children as risk-takers
  • off-site travel
  • maintaining a safe environment.

You’ll develop core analytical skills as you explore how research and government policy affect children’s outdoor learning. 

 

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Child Development (double)

How do children develop? You’ll understand the key aspects of a child’s developmental processes, and the relationship between learning and development. You’ll get to grips with a variety of perspectives, and gain a firm understanding of child development. You’ll explore themes such as:

  • perceptual development
  • language development
  • cognitive development (constructivist and social constructivist approaches)
  • physical development
  • play
  • moral development
  • development of self and identity
  • emotional development, deprivation and enrichment,

You’ll also consider a range of influences on children’s development, such as heredity and social influences, and examine creativity and the theory of mind.

 

Research in the Early Years

What are the ethical issues of doing research on children? You’ll gain the core tools you need to carry out effective research in early years. You’ll develop the confidence and expertise to succeed in your degree, and understand the research methods that social scientists and educational practitioners use, including:

  • interviews
  • observation
  • questionnaires.

You’ll have a grounding in reliable and valid research, giving you fantastic skills for your future career.

 

Working with Children 2* (Double)

You’ll gain the core knowledge and practical skills to work as an early years practitioner. You’ll develop key knowledge of the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) policies and frameworks. In your second semester, you’ll do a placement in a childcare or early years setting. You’ll put your knowledge into practice, and enhance your expertise in the field, ready for your career.

Preparing for the Dissertation

This module gives you the skills and knowledge to excel at your dissertation. You’ll gain a thorough knowledge of topics that will prepare you for every stage of your dissertation. You’ll learn how to plan your dissertation, analyse research and write up a powerful argument. You’ll gain a valuable critical awareness of yourself as a researcher, as you get to know the processes involved. You’ll also understand the key ethical procedures of fieldwork, allowing you to work successfully in the field.

 

Optional modules

Inclusion, Special Needs and Disabilities

How can we provide a strong and inclusive education for children with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities? You’ll gain a clear understanding of the policy and practice relating to special educational needs. You’ll acquire core critical skills as you examine SEN legislation, and analyse discrimination. You’ll develop key self-awareness as you challenge your own attitudes and beliefs around SEN and disabilities. 

Gender in the 21st Century

How do gender and gender stereotypes affect teachers and learners? You’ll explore how issues of gender shape society, culture and education. You’ll gain core critical skills for your degree, as you analyse how the media and education, as well as how children are socialised, play vital roles in shaping teachers and learners. You’ll investigate these key issues, relate them to your own experiences, and apply your thoughts to key educational theories.

Cultural and Arts-Based Learning

You’ll examine how students can learn through exciting cultural activities. You’ll look at activities including:

  • exploring cultural sites and learning contexts
  • cultural artefacts and arts-based activities. 

You’ll study core theories of learning in key areas of the arts, including art, drama, music and film, and consider the significance of these areas in the educational curriculum. You’ll put core theories around culture and learning into practice, as you go on field trips and take part in practical activities at Oxford’s famous museums and galleries. You’ll gain fantastic critical skills, as you analyse how cultural artefacts and activities support learning. 

 

Literature for Young Children

How can young children fall in love with reading? You’ll gain a strong understanding of the rich range of books for young children. You’ll develop core skills in reading critically and reflectively as you analyse the relationship between words and pictures in children’s texts. You’ll learn how to select texts that support language development, and focus on phonological (sound patterns and their meanings) awareness, and reading development. 

Young Children's Health and Wellbeing

How does a child’s health and wellbeing shape their future success? You’ll get to grips with the importance of children’s health and wellbeing. You’ll learn the roles and responsibilities of health professionals working with young children to ensure their wellbeing. You’ll gain a sound knowledge of issues including: 

  • health inequalities
  • health promotion
  • health provision for young children.

You’ll also have the chance to explore children’s inner lives and spirituality, and to understand the adult’s role in supporting children’s emotional and spiritual health.

Children in the Digital World

How do media and technology impact children’s lives and their understanding of the world? You’ll use key academic theories to explore these dynamic questions and how the issues are relevant in education. You’ll explore direct examples of media and technology, and gain core practical skills for your degree as you make links between theory and real life situations.

Year 3

Compulsory modules

Dissertation (Double)

You’ll undertake independent research on a topic in Early Childhood Studies which fascinates you. You’ll have the support of an expert supervisor who will help you negotiate a key issue in Early Childhood Studies and develop it into a dissertation.

Reflective Practice (Double)

You’ll enhance your confidence and skills in working as a practitioner in an early years setting. You’ll discuss current issues, and reflect on your own practice in the light of current policy and research. As a group, we’ll focus on reflection as means of bringing together theory and practice, with an emphasis on group reflection. In your practice in your placement, you might focus on issues such as: 

  • deepening understandings of curriculum organisation and delivery
  • focusing on the individual needs of the child
  • addressing issues of inclusion, individual achievement or well-being 
  • focusing on relationships with parents and the community.

As part of the module, you’ll also complete a reflective journal.

 

Optional modules

Controversial and Contemporary Research in Education (double)

Why is education such a hotly argued topic? You’ll investigate controversial issues in education from previous modules, and explore new and pressing ideas. You’ll gain core teamwork and research skills for your future career, as you pursue these issues through group discussion and individual research. You’ll build key critical skills for your degree, as you evaluate evidence from sources ranging from popular media to policy texts, as well as academic texts on education. 

You’ll also enjoy seminars with guest speakers, where you’ll engage with the latest educational debates and expertise. 

 

Becoming a Reader (Double)

How do children become readers? You’ll look at children's literacy, investigating theories and debates about how children become readers. You’ll get to grips with the key ways that children learn to read, including: 

  • decoding skills
  • comprehension of text
  • attitude and motivation. 

You’ll look at different forms of literacy in an era of digital communication. You’ll gain the skills to understand a range of developmental theories, and articulate your own arguments.

 

International Comparisons in Early Childhood Care and Education

You’ll examine core policies and practices in education. You’ll gain important analytical skills for your degree, as you consider the differences in education policy between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. You’ll analyse how international evidence in education impacts services in these four UK countries.

Professional Roles in Early Years

How do different professionals work together to support the health and education of young children? You’ll gain a strong grounding in the partnerships which support early learning and care, both historically and today. You’ll build on the knowledge you gained from your Reflective Practice module and dissertation, as you engage with key themes such as workforce development, partnership and workplace communication. You’ll understand children’s rights in the home and other settings, and analyse the roles of parents and professionals in the welfare and education of young children. Legislation which affects the roles of workers in early years sectors will also be a topic.

Researching Child Development

You’ll get to grips with child development and the strengths and weaknesses of key approaches to the subject. You’ll gain core analytical skills as you critique experiential, observational and field studies. You’ll also gain fantastic research and project management skills for your future career, as your design and carry out an investigative study.

Unequal Childhoods

Not all childhoods are equal. You’ll reflect on the ways we respond to differences in:

  • ethnicity
  • race
  • social class
  • ability. 

You’ll build on your knowledge of equality, diversity and human justice that you’ve gained from earlier modules. You’ll also increase your knowledge of United Nations conventions and United Kingdom equality legislation, increasing your professional understanding of legislation and equality.

 

The Principled Professional

Gain fantastic preparation for work as a professional early years practitioner. You’ll explore the core elements of the professional’s role in early years settings and other employment contexts. You’ll develop a strong understanding of professionalism, giving you the best chance to succeed in job interviews and your future career. You’ll also grow into a strong advocate for the wellbeing of children and their families.

Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from that shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.

Learning and teaching

You’ll learn at our Harcourt Hill campus, home of our School of Education, where you’ll have access to specialist education teaching spaces. You’ll explore forest school approaches in our outdoor learning spaces and be able to borrow teaching resources from our Education Resources Centre. You can choose to live at Harcourt Hill - or apply for a space in any of our other halls across Oxford.

You’ll also spend time every year out on placement. On placement, you’ll apply your knowledge as a professional and build sought-after practitioner skills. We can support you in finding a placement and actively encourage you to be proactive to source an early years setting that suits your personal interests.

Many of our students work part-time as private tutors, nursery school bank staff or in after school clubs, you can use this as your work placement and your timetable is designed to accommodate this.

 

 

Field trips

 

 

Assessment

Assessment methods used on this course

Early Childhood Studies modules are 100% assessed by coursework. These could be presentations, essays and/or project reports.

Assessment for some modules includes group assignments that encourage collaborative and team working skills.

Study Abroad

You may be able to go on a European or international study exchange while you are at Oxford Brookes. Although we will help as much as we can with your plans, ultimately you are responsible for organising and funding this study abroad.

After you graduate

Career prospects

You’ll graduate with valuable professional skills and knowledge - and a convincing CV. You’ll be a strong communicator and problem-solver - essential skills in the 21st Century workplace. And your placements will build your confidence working with children and families from all types of backgrounds and communities. You’ll finish your degree equipped to progress into fields like:

  • teacher training
  • social work
  • play therapy
  • family support
  • special educational needs
  • or pediatric nursing

Students also progress on to postgraduate study in education as well as psychology, sociology, law and professional qualifications like teaching and social work.

Further study

The course can lead to a PGCE (Primary), also offered at Oxford Brookes. You may continue your studies at master's level, perhaps following a specialist Post Graduate Certificate in Challenging Behaviour or Children's Literature. We also offer a range of MA Education courses, including the MA Education: Childhood and Youth Studies. 

Student profiles

Free language courses

Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.

Information from Discover Uni

Full-time study

Part-time study

Programme Changes:

On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website.

For more information, please visit our Changes to programmes page.