The published course and module descriptions were accurate when first published and remain the basis of the course, but the University has had to modify some course and module content in response to government restrictions and social distancing requirements. In the event of changes made to the government advice and social distancing rules by national or local government, the University may need to make further alterations to the published course content. Detailed information on the changes will be sent to every student on confirmation in August to ensure you have all the information before you come to Oxford Brookes.
Early Childhood Studies
BA (Hons)
Key facts
UCAS code
X315
Start dates
September 2021 / September 2022
Location
Course length
Full time: 3 years
Part time: a maximum of 8 years
Department
UCAS Tariff Points
104
Overview
Are you interested in how young children learn, interact and grow? You can explore this fascinating stage of development with our Early Childhood Studies course.
You will:
- look at childhood from a sociological perspective
- expand your knowledge of child psychology
- recall your experiences of childhood and reflect on them to develop your understanding.
You will critique experimental, observational and field studies. And your learning will be based on theory, research and practice.
The course covers a range of topics that include:
- UK early years policy
- a young child’s digital environment
- how adults support children’s learning
- health and wellbeing
- media reports about children
- inclusion
- knowledge of practice.
You'll have the opportunity to take placements across a range of early years settings.
On graduating you'll have the practical experience, academic and professional skills for a range of careers in the sector.

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.
For more information about how we are supporting applicants impacted by Covid-19, please see our information for applicants page.
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 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 with credit for prior learning. Each application is individually assessed by our credit entry tutors.
If you would like more information about whether or not you may be eligible for the award of credit, for example from an HND, partly-completed degree or foundation degree, please contact our Admissions team.
We operate the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All undergraduate single modules are equivalent to 7.5 ECTS credits and double modules to 15 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.
Application process
Full time Home / EU applicants
Apply through UCASPart time Home / EU applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityInternational applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityFull time applicants can also apply through UCAS
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
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.
Financial support and scholarships
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, if any, are detailed below.
On this course you’ll be going on placements in early years settings; you'll self fund travel to and from your placements.
You’ll also need a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check. This costs about £50. You may also need to pay an extra fee of about £15 to keep your DBS up-to-date.
Learning and assessment
You will begin by learning:
- how very young children grow and develop, both in the family and in different cultures
- examining how toddlers make sense of the world around them through play and interaction with adults.
As well as theory you will carry out practical, hands-on work. As part of this you might observe and work with young children in different settings.
Your compulsory modules provide you with the knowledge, understanding and skills you'll need to complete the course successfully. We have a diverse range of optional modules. So as you progress through the course, you can focus on particular areas of study that interest you.
You will also research particular topics in early years education. Research interests of our staff include:
- children’s language acquisition
- the nature of children’s thinking
- children and new technologies/media
- outdoor learning
- children’s spirituality
- children’s identity.
There is also a strand of research related to understanding professionalism and multi-agency working in the early years.

Learning and teaching
Our teaching methods include:
- lectures
- tutorials
- seminars
- discussion.
When you have completed your course, you will be able to demonstrate:
- an understanding of the developmental needs of children and the role of the family in supporting that development
- an appreciation of how practice in childcare and early learning can be informed by theoretical perspectives
- a comparative understanding of how policy and practice in childcare and early learning varies across the international context
- effectiveness as a problem solver, team worker and sensitive mediator
- the knowledge and skills required as a professional working in education or child care
- informed critiques of the role of agencies in the support, protection and education of young children
- knowledge and promotion of equal opportunities in childcare and education
- an understanding of how early childhood and childcare practice can influence human development.
Field trips
We are always keen to explore ways in which you broaden your experience of education and development. In the past we have visited The Gambia developing long standing relationships with schools and colleges and we are actively exploring international opportunities in other parts of the world, aiming to be responsive to students' needs and interests.
Study Abroad
You may be able to go on a European or international study exchange while you are at 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
Graduates of the Early Childhood Studies course embark on a variety of careers when finishing their studies.
Many students use Early Childhood Studies as the basis to go on to train for related jobs such as teachers, social work, educational psychology, play therapy, youth and family work. Recent graduates have taken up jobs in educational publishing and educational charities.
Some students use the degree as a platform to go onto careers in a wide variety of areas such as marketing, law and business.
Throughout the course there are regular opportunities for students to meet with careers advisers. A key principle of our approach to teaching and assessment is that it should equip students with key work skills such as team working and presenting to an audience. The direct practical experiences and reflection on the link between theory and practice within the course are also significant factors in our students' subsequent employability.
Examples of jobs that recent Early Childhood Studies graduates have gone on to are:
- Local Government Communications Support Worker
- Therapy Support Worker with the NHS
- Forest school Leader
- Primary school Manager
- Nursery Nurse
- Development Assistant, National Museum of Wales
- Children's Centre Outreach Worker.
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.