BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education

Key information

Typical offer:
Entry requirements
Fees: See below
Full details
UCAS code: X310
Institute code: H36
Study abroad option
Work placement option
Find out more

Clearing entry requirements

We’re committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. Over Clearing, we’ll be taking a flexible approach so if you don’t have the advertised grades, you can submit a clearing application and we’ll review and consider your application on an individual basis.

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC	Accepted T Levels	Access Course Tariff	IB requirement
112–120	BBC– BBB	DMM–DDM	112–120 UCAS points Please see additional requirements for accepted T Level subject	Diploma with 45 level 3 credits at merit	112–120 points

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics.

Accepted T Levels: Design Survey and Planning for Construction; Design Production, Design and Development; Education and Childcare; Healthcare Science; Health; Science; Digital Support Services; Digital Business Services; Onsite Construction; Building Services Engineering for Construction; Accounting; Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing; Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control; Finance; Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing; Management and Administration; Agriculture, Land Management and Production; Legal Services.

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

For more details on the University of Hertfordshire's entry requirements, please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page.

Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

Professional accreditations

The programme has membership of the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Networks (ECSDN) which provides CPD and opportunities for student publication.

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC	Accepted T Levels	Access Course Tariff	IB requirement
104–112	BBC– BBB	DMM–DDM	104–112 UCAS points Please see additional requirements for accepted T Level subject	Diploma with 45 level 3 credits at merit	112–120 points

Why choose this course?

Ranked 11th for Education in the 2022 Guardian University Guide
Improve your employability through work-based learning
99% satisfaction for Teaching On My Course, 2024 NSS (based on the average of Q1-4)

If you want to truly make a difference to young children, future generations and transform communities in a very rewarding field then the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education programme is a course you would want to pursue. The course enables you to be hands on in creative ways thereby allowing you to take part in shaping the Early Childhood Education curriculum. If you are searching for a career that is in high demand, with opportunities now and in the future, then this is a viable course for you. This course will help you become a confident, independent, critical thinker, a skilled learner, a pedagogical leader and a self-aware professional. Most importantly, the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education qualification is accepted as 'full and relevant' by the Department for Education (DfE) Early Years Qualification List (EYQL) which allows you to work in an early years setting or to count in Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) staff:child ratios.

Gain practical experience

Each year of the study programme (year 1, 2 and 3) is characterised by placement and all modules are designed to help you develop professional skills through placement-related tasks and assessments which will broaden your employability opportunities. The exciting thing about this programme is that you can undertake placement in a wide range of contexts, such as, day nurseries, pre-schools, special schools, children’s centres or family support organisations.

Pick the path that’s right for you

The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education programme is offered in full-time (3years) and part-time (6 years) routes. Entry is normally at level 4, but it is possible at level 6 with suitable qualifications (e.g., a relevant foundation degree). What this means is that the degree is suitable for prospective students who have just completed their Level 3 studies and early childhood practitioners who want to increase their qualifications. If you’re passionate about improving early childhood education, then we’ve got this flexible programme of study that’s right for you. New intake normally takes place in September.

The programme offers you an opportunity to apply knowledge in practice through placement in all three years. It offers you an opportunity to understand and critically evaluate a range of theoretical and practice-based knowledge and skills that are both specific to the early childhood sector and relevant in many other professions. This will support you in your future career and enable you to stand out from other candidates when seeking employment.

In addition, the programme allows you to acquire the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education with Study Abroad in your second year. Great news! Funding is available if you choose to Study Abroad in your second year, from The Turing Scheme which is the UK government’s scheme to provide funding for international opportunities in education and training across the world. It supports Global Britain by providing an opportunity for UK organisations from higher education, further education, vocational education and training and schools sectors to offer their students, learners and pupils life-changing experiences to study or work abroad. Do not miss out on such an exciting opportunity!

Learn from experts

You’ll learn from experienced and well qualified lecturers who have worked in various early childhood settings for many years. For instance, our lecturing staff come from a variety of professions, including primary teaching, children centre management, health visiting and nursing. With so much experience to learn from, you’ll gain a unique and valuable insight into your chosen career. Our expert teaching team are committed to delivering an innovative education experience and in the 2022 National Student Survey (NSS) 94% of students agreed that staff value their views and opinions about the course.

What's the course about?

In your first year, You will begin to understand how your own educational experiences influence your growing knowledge of early childhood practice and engage with critical theorists and expert practitioners in the fields of education, care and family support. We’ll equip you with knowledge and skills of promoting children’s well-being in the 21st Century and working with young children for them to explore their identity, values and voice. You will be equipped with knowledge and skills on how to support children’s play, learning and development. The first year will also enable you to explore the child’s world through engagement with family, culture and community. You will visit early childhood settings for placement to observe the curriculum in practice for 25 days.

In your second year, you will build a robust, critical understanding of knowledge and skills required to support children’s learning and development in a range of practice settings. We will teach you how to develop identity, values and voice in practice and various ways to empower children from the early years. This is the time when you could study abroad and gain an international perspective about working with young children. The second year of your study is also essential in that it will enable you to celebrate differences in children regarding inclusion and diversity in Early Childhood Practice. We will teach you how to enable children’s play and explore approaches to the curriculum during placement. You’ll design stimulating learning environments and observe children as they play and learn. What do you notice? You will gain the skills and knowledge to design effective interventions. We will teach you how chronic illness, special educational needs and disability can affect how a child develops. You will question your assumptions and theories. You will see every challenge as a chance to think creatively. By the end of this year, you will feel confident in the area you want to specialise in. You will visit early childhood settings for placement to observe the curriculum in practice for 30 days.

In your third year, your own practice is enhanced and consolidated through an increasing focus on areas of personal interest, aiming to achieve the best possible outcomes for both children and their families. You will investigate a range of concepts central to early childhood as an advocate for children. These could include children’s rights or cultural, political and economic factors. We will teach you how to develop effective partnerships with child development professionals, parents, families, and communities. You will learn how to work with parents from all cultures and backgrounds, so everyone is included in the child’s development. You will develop an Early Childhood Specialisation at this stage of the programme. To enhance the curriculum, you will design fun activities to stimulate children’s learning and development. You will delve into an independent research project to improve your practice. By the end of this year, you will have everything you need to support a child’s development. You will visit early childhood settings for placement to observe the curriculum in practice for 25 days.

Your main campus is de Havilland

You’ll share this campus with students from business, law, sport, and education subjects. The student housing is close to our Sports Village which includes a gym, swimming pool and climbing wall. You can get breakfast, lunch, or dinner in our on-campus restaurant or bar (in the newly built Enterprise Hub) on days you don’t feel like cooking. You can also use the common room to play pool, video games or just to hang out with friends. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever it suits you best. Do you want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.  

What will I study?

Degree programmes are structured into levels, 4, 5 and 6. These correspond to your first, second and third/final year of study. Below you can see what modules you’ll be studying in each year.

Level 4

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Promoting Children's Wellbeing in the 21st Century	30 Credits	Compulsory
Explore the complex and diverse situations that children develop in; acknowledge the subjectivity of wellbeing and build confidence to understand and act upon objective measures for safeguarding; explore the roles and responsibilities of a practitioner and multi-agency working and explore how adverse circumstances affect children and their well-being and safety.
Working with Children: Exploring Identity, Values and Voice	30 Credits	Compulsory
Analyse your own educational journey considering how this has influenced your own values and identity in relation to working with children; explore the development of children's lives, different global aspects and identities and assess how educational and social policies and practice are at work in your life and children's lives.
Supporting Children: Play, Learning and Development	15 Credits	Compulsory
Explore the importance of holistic child development by observing play-based learning in a range of different contexts; and explore how theories (e.g., Froebel, Tovey, Reggio Emilia) policy and national documentation may explain and influence a child's learning in education settings, home environment or in public spaces like parks and libraries.
The Child's World: Family, Culture and Community	30 Credits	Compulsory
Explore what 'childhood' is? Has 'childhood' always been like this or was it invented? How does society, culture, politics, or global/economics influence what different societies and people believe 'childhood' to be? Apply theory into practice (e.g., John Locke, Rousseau, and Peter Moss), and making sense of your own childhood experiences.
Placement 1: Observing the Curriculum in Practice	15 Credits	Compulsory
Learn how to implement national policies (e.g., safeguarding, children's wellbeing and rights), curricula or intervention strategies and use your own and others' observations to develop children's learning opportunities; observe children's learning in an enabling environment and reflect on how behaviour management techniques affect opportunities for development and engage in self-reflection.

Level 5

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Developing Identity, Values and Voice in Practice	30 Credits	Optional
When you studied identity, values and voice in year 1 you had the opportunity to explore the relationship between children's identities and your own. Building on your learning, you will now analyse ideas that inform competing and complementary notions of childhood. This includes the important focus on working as part of a highly effective team to support the holistic development of children. While exploring issues connected with social justice, children's rights and the team around the child, you will be supported in further advancing your academic skills to enable you to succeed at level 5. You will learn to structure and articulate arguments by drawing on good quality sources to nurture your understanding. You will apply your understanding and abilities in small-scale inquiry tasks during placements and taught sessions. In this module we support you to develop a questioning, enquiring and knowledge-informed approach to early childhood practice.
Empowering Children	30 Credits	Optional
The rights of children and recognition of their place in a democratic society are clearly embedded in current legislation and policy. This module will enable you to extend your thinking about the implications of this for practice and how young children and babies can express their voice and exercise their rights. You will explore concepts of agency and empowerment in theory and practice through the lenses of yourself as a practitioner, of children, carers and wider society drawing on current authors like Clark & Moss, Dahlberg and Einarsdottir. This will help you to develop your professional identity as a future graduate-level practitioner by reflecting on and understanding of factors such as adverse childhoods or global issues that are at play in the life of the child. You'll therefore identify, reflect on and challenge, how theoretical ideas are present in practice and how you can develop excellence in your future practice by planning, implementing and evaluating enabling environments for the holistic development and wellbeing of the child.
Celebrating Difference: Inclusion and Diversity in Early Childhood Practice	30 Credits	Optional
This module will enable you to recognise how accepting and promoting difference can support inclusion and diversity in services for young children and their families. We will challenge you to examine unconscious biases and stereotypes that impact on high quality professional work with young children and families. Throughout the module difference will be celebrated as a positive concept which can benefit all – students, practitioners, children, families and communities. You will investigate established and emerging theory, therapeutic approaches, digital learning, research and policy relating to equality, inclusion and diversity. This will introduce you to writers like Nutbrown and Clough covering historical developments and Owen exploring current perceptions of inclusion, and to books and journals in the field (e.g. International Journal of Inclusive Education). To substantiate your thoughts and arguments you will interrogate these and other sources, discussing issues in seminars and in whole-class groups and individual inquiry and independent study.
Enabling Children's Play	15 Credits	Optional
This module will enable you to build on your observation skills learned in Semester A and to use them as a foundation for activity plans or early intervention strategies which promote children's next developmental steps. You will further your understanding of your role in supporting high quality learning and how you can promote children's holistic development in an inclusive environment. You will reflect on the need to work collaboratively with carers, professionals and potentially volunteers to support the child's holistic development in formal education settings, in the home environment and in informal play spaces like toddler groups and creches.
Placement 2: Exploring Approaches to the Curriculum	15 Credits	Optional
This module will enable you to draw on your learning so far in your degree. You will have opportunities to implement your curriculum plans or intervention strategies and to evaluate the adult role in scaffolding learning through continual provision in either professional settings or simulated experiences. You will draw on your knowledge and understanding of inclusion and difference to explore the role of the adult in creating an inclusive environment. You'll examine how different curricula, intervention strategies and policies influence the successes of children. In addition, you'll be supported to tune into your ever-growing awareness of cultural diversity and the need for positive high-quality interactions with children.
Study Abroad	60 Credits	Optional
This is an optional module that enables you to study abroad during Semester B. The University of Hertfordshire has contacts with several higher education institutions in countries like Australia and the United States of America, and the UH Study Abroad office will help you choose a university that offers an early childhood programme similar to the BA(Hons) Early Childhood Education. You will agree your exact programme of study with your Programme Tutor (or nominee) in consultation with appropriate others and the host University. An exact match of modules is not required but you should have the opportunity to gain an insight into early childhood provision, children's lived experiences and cultural as well as societal features in your host country. The experience of studying abroad will extend your existing knowledge and prepare you for study in your final year.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Working Together for Children in Professional Partnerships	30 Credits	Compulsory
As with your other modules this year, you are provided with plenty of opportunities to challenge yourself and integrate knowledge from other areas of study and practice. For example, being an advocate for children's wellbeing, voice and rights, is supported through high quality collaboration and partnership working. This module gives you opportunities to experience vital aspects of professional partnerships in a safe environment. Learning and teaching on the module involve theoretical and practical ways to reflect on your own behaviour and that of others. You'll be tasked with applying selected models of interprofessional working, leadership and learning based on theorists and researchers like Sims-Schouten (positioning theory), Ancona (the incomplete leader), Goleman (emotional intelligence) and Molyneux (interprofessional teamwork). At the close of the module, you will feel more confident and equipped to work with other professionals to improve the life chances of children.
The Curious Practitioner: Developing an Early Childhood Specialism	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will enable you to research an area of early childhood education that you are particularly interested in. You will be given support to find relevant literature relating to your chosen area of interest and you will be given time, space and resources to nurture your critical reflection and evaluation skills through the sources you choose. You will be supported by focusing on three main questions to underpin your inquiry: How could this knowledge and understanding influence you as a future practitioner and your professionalism? What are the global or societal viewpoints on the chosen area and how are these influenced by politics, theory and culture? How do your findings from this research impact children's learning opportunities, wellbeing and holistic development?
Placement 3: Enhancing The Curriculum	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will support you in drawing together your previous learning based on your placement and wider work experience. A key strand of this year is to focus on your values and beliefs so that you can work toward increasing the quality of early childhood practice and the work with/for children in a range of contexts. This module provides the space and experiences for you to critically reflect on your abilities to work collaboratively and to lead the work of colleagues. You'll be challenged with opportunities to consider the barriers to effective collaborative working and leadership, which includes your own preparedness and commitment to do so. You'll consider your position as a future graduate professional in a range of different role like early childhood educator, teacher, social worker, family support worker etc.
Living My Professional Values: Becoming an Advocate for Children	30 Credits	Compulsory
In your first and second years you have had the opportunity to deepening your understanding of identify, beliefs and professional values. This module draws on knowledge and skills you've already developed and challenges you to articulate your professional voice as an advocate for children. Life as a graduate professional includes leading change and making a meaningful contribution through your knowledge and understanding. You will prepare for this by consolidating your skills of criticality, reflection, and professional development in practice and in simulated learning and teaching experiences. You will start to unpick assumptions in the sector and consider your role in improving children's lives, whether that be through research, innovating policy, or becoming a pedagogical leader. You will explore philosophical perspectives on early childhood and consider the influence of thinkers and their ideas in relation to identity, values, policy and practice concerning children and professionals alike.
Improving My Practice Through Inquiry	30 Credits	Compulsory
In this module you will build on your individual area of interest from Semester A and investigate an element of your own early childhood practice, this could involve an area you are interested in for example: an academic issue relating to literacy, mathematics or digital learning or how are children seen on a global scale or what impacts children? Lectures and seminars are structured to help you design your individual inquiry project, select appropriate tools to collect data and then analyse data to extend your own learning. This will be underpinned with references to relevant research literature like 'The Good Research Guide' (Martyn Denscombe), 'Qualitative Research Design' (Keith Punch) and 'How to do your research project' (Gary Thomas). Our individualised approach allows you to follow your own interests and enhances your skills to learn and create knowledge independently, ethically and with professional confidence. Taking a high-quality approach to practice-centred inquiry will enable you to think about your aspirations for the sector and how you can achieve those aspirations for yourself and for others, whether that be children or colleagues.

Study abroad

The study abroad option offers you an opportunity for an amazing experience, which will help make you stand out from the crowd. With more and more companies working internationally, experience of living in another country can make a great impression on future employers.

As such, this course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV by studying abroad in semester B of your second year of study. The University has partnerships with over 150 universities around the world, including the USA, Canada, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and closer to home in Europe.

We’ll ask you to make your decision towards the end of your first year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

Find out more about Study abroad opportunities

Please note Erasmus+ funding is only available until May 2023. For students starting their course in September 2022 and wishing to study abroad in 2023-24 or 2024-25, please refer to the Turing Scheme.
Work placement

You will be in placement for 80 days in all three years of the programme and all modules develop professional practice skills through placement-related tasks and assessments. You can undertake placement in a wide range of contexts, for example, day nurseries, pre-schools, special schools, children’s centres or family support organisations. You will attain the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies in addition to gaining their BA (Hons) award.

Your learning and experience in placement will support and inform your learning in the taught modules during the three years. If you are already in work, you may not need an additional placement, but the placement tutor may recommend some visits to other settings.
What if I need support?

You’ll get a personal tutor to guide you through your course, all the way to graduation. You might also want or need extra support during your time with us. Rest assured, no matter what you study, we’ve got you covered. For help with study skills, including referencing, essay writing and presentations, you’ll have access to our academic support services. You can attend workshops, 1-to-1 sessions and online tutorials. Both our LRCs (Learning Resource Centres) run drop-in study skills sessions. And the best thing is, it’s all free.
There are also opportunities to have a peer mentor, who will be a more experienced student specially trained to provide support for you.

Check out our student blogs

Alumni Stories

Jake Garwood

Meet Jake Garwood who discovered his passion for teaching and education while studying. He currently works as a Year 4 teacher in a junior school near the University.

Current job role	Year 4 teacher
Year of graduation	2016 / 2017
Course of study	BA (Hons) Education
PGCE in Primary Education

Sparking a passion

Jake decided to go to the University of Hertfordshire based on our 'excellent reputation for teaching training.' His time as a student did not disappoint as his course sparked his passion for education and he says the 'engaging modules at the University and inspiring tutors played a key part in making me the teacher I am today.'

The variety of modules on both of my degrees, from contemporary issues in education to educational technology, from philosophy of education to equality and inclusion, put me in the best possible position to begin my teaching career.'

Aspirations for the future

Jake finds teaching an extremely rewarding career, therefore he does not intend to leave the profession. He says, 'I think it is one of the most rewarding profession available and if you care about the future, then teaching the next generation is one of the best things you can do.'

However, he adds that his ultimate goal is to work towards a Masters in Education, followed by a PhD in the same field. He'd like to keep his options open as to future career paths.'

View our Alumni profiles

Jake Garwood

Course fact sheets
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education	Download
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education	Download

Programme specifications
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education	Download
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes
Course length	Full Time, 3 Years Part Time, 6 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

Apply using the links below:

2024

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
28/09/2024	27/05/2025	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
26/09/2024	26/05/2025	2	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
25/09/2024	25/05/2025	3	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
28/09/2024	27/05/2025	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Part Time)

2025

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
28/09/2025	27/05/2026	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
26/09/2025	26/05/2026	2	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
25/09/2025	25/05/2026	3	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
28/09/2025	27/05/2026	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Part Time)

2026

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
28/09/2026	27/05/2027	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
26/09/2026	26/05/2027	2	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
25/09/2026	25/05/2027	3	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
28/09/2026	27/05/2027	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Part Time)

Fees and funding
Fees 2024
UK Students
Full time
- £9250 for the 2024/2025 academic year
Part time
- £1155 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year
EU Students
Full time
- £15500 for the 2024/2025 academic year
Part time
- £1940 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year
International Students
Full time
- £15500 for the 2024/2025 academic year
Part time
- £1940 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year
Fees 2025
UK Students
Full time
- £9250 for the 2025/2026 academic year
Part time
- £1155 per 15 credits for the 2025/2026 academic year
EU Students
Full time
- £15965 for the 2025/2026 academic year
Part time
- £1995 per 15 credits for the 2025/2026 academic year
International Students
Full time
- £15965 for the 2025/2026 academic year
Part time
- £1995 per 15 credits for the 2025/2026 academic year
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

Apply through Clearing

Book your open day

Get info and updates

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education

Key information

Typical offer:

Fees: See below

UCAS code: X310

Institute code: H36

Study abroad option

Work placement option

Clearing entry requirements

Additional requirements

Additional requirements

Why choose this course?

Gain practical experience

Pick the path that’s right for you

Learn from experts

What's the course about?

Your main campus is de Havilland

What will I study?

Check out our student blogs

Student Blogs

Student Blogs

What I love most about my course

Final Year

Student Blogs

Why I chose Herts

Student Blogs

Alumni Stories

Meet Jake Garwood who discovered his passion for teaching and education while studying. He currently works as a Year 4 teacher in a junior school near the University.

Sparking a passion

Aspirations for the future

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

Apply through Clearing now

2024

2025

2026

Fees 2024

UK Students

Full time

Part time

EU Students

Full time

Part time

International Students

Full time

Part time

Fees 2025

UK Students

Full time

Part time

EU Students

Full time

Part time

International Students

Full time

Part time

Other financial support

Living costs / accommodation