BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Competencies is a course designed to support you to develop the skills, knowledge, and experience to work effectively in meeting the needs of babies and young children from 0 – 8 years old, and their families. The course covers theoretical and practical aspects of early childhood, with a strong commitment to social justice and promoting equity.
As you progress throughout the course, you will develop the skills and confidence needed to be an agent for change, discovering and building on your passion in advocating f...
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Competencies is a course designed to support you to develop the skills, knowledge, and experience to work effectively in meeting the needs of babies and young children from 0 – 8 years old, and their families. The course covers theoretical and practical aspects of early childhood, with a strong commitment to social justice and promoting equity.<br/><br/>As you progress throughout the course, you will develop the skills and confidence needed to be an agent for change, discovering and building on your passion in advocating for children to make a positive contribution both to their lives and to the early childhood sector.<br/><br/>Through both course modules and on placement, you will work towards Graduate Practitioner Competencies, gathering knowledge and practical experience in understanding the fundamental aspects of working with babies and young children. This is part of our commitment to supporting you in preparing for the world of work. This course can open doors into a variety of professions related to Early Childhood, and we will support and guide you as you discover the role that suits you best. Placement opportunities across all three years of the degree will enable you to work and learn alongside a variety of professionals delivering services that support the wellbeing, development and learning needs of babies and young children.<br/><br/>Student placements can include early years settings (nurseries), primary schools, and health and social care sectors (so can include hospitals, home visits). Opportunities may include charities such as Barnardos, children and family hubs, museums, family support centres, Action for Children, Childrens Quarter (an organisation for inclusion), SEND settings, playgroups, and libraries among many other organisations.<br/><br/>We also draw on employers and professionals who provide some guest lectures, offering insight into their experiences alongside our own tutors. Our tutors on the programme come from a wide range of professional backgrounds and are research active, understanding the demands of study, work, and family life. They are committed to the same agenda of social justice, social mobility and social responsibility that forms the underpinning philosophy of the programme.<br/><br/>Gaining knowledge and understanding of babies’ and young children’s developmental, well-being and learning needs is a common theme throughout the course. You will build the skills and knowledge necessary to enable you to meet those needs and discover how you can respond in creative, reflective and analytical ways to issues relating to early childhood, being mindful of the need to adopt a resourceful approach.<br/><br/>As well as learning about policy, practice, and provision within the field of Early Childhood, we will encourage you to become a graduate who is outward-looking with an awareness of global issues that relate to the field of Early Childhood.<br/><br/>We will support you to develop your personal and professional skills, including your resilience, to become self-assured and assertive so that you can be influential in developing practice, policy, and provision in your future career. We provide you with a supportive and nurturing learning environment, which will enable you to take risks as you explore and find out new things about early childhood, as well as yourself.<br/><br/>**£1,000 scholarships for 2025/26**<br/><br/>If you apply to BCU by 30 June 2025, you could be eligible for one of our £1,000 scholarships:<br/>- Accelerate – if you are from a lower income family or household<br/><br/><br/>- High Achievers’ – if you achieve 144 UCAS points or more from your main three qualifications<br/><br/><br/>For full details and terms, visit www.bcu.ac.uk/scholarships
1 option available
Some courses vary and have tailored teaching options, select a course option below.
Course Details
Information
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
3 Years
Start Date
09/2025
Campus
University House
29 January
Application deadline
Provider Details
Codes/info
Course Code
X320
Institution Code
B25
Points of Entry
Year 1
96
Please note: If you qualify for our BCU Accelerate scheme, you could receive an offer that is two grades below our normal entry requirements.
96 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD)
Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3. Accepted subjects: Education subjects preferred but other subjects also considered.
24
Obtain a minimum of 24 points overall. For students who do not already hold a GCSE in Mathematics at grade C/4 or above, grade 5 in Maths (Standard level) from the IB Diploma will be accepted. For students who do not already hold a GCSE in English Language at grade C/4 or above, English Language (Standard level) from the IB Diploma will be accepted. For English A, this must be grade 4 or above; for English B, this must be grade 5.
96 UCAS Tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
Minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects.
GCSE English Language or English Literature at grade C/4 or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests.
96 UCAS Tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
96 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD)
96 UCAS Tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
C,C,C
96 UCAS tariff points from three A Levels. Grades CCC (or equivalent).
P
Pass overall (C or above on the core). All subjects accepted.
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Region | Costs | Academic Year | Year |
---|---|---|---|
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales | £9,535 | 2025/26 | Year 1 |
EU, International | £17,690 | 2025/26 | Year 1 |