Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons)

Course details:
This degree gives you an in-depth specialism around the distinct and specialised nature of working with babies and young children in the early years phase of life, considering children from birth throughout the primary school phase. You focus on the holistic view of children and early childhood, developing a deep understanding of the early years and beyond of a child’s life.

A wide range of professions are open to you, including child protection roles, working in schools or other educational settings, parent support workers, play workers, and further study in teaching and social work. Course content is intellectually stimulating and current. It is interdisciplinary, drawing on contemporary research and discourse, ensuring your knowledge of children and families is relevant to current developments in sociology, psychology, education, health, legislation and policy. You develop theoretical, practical and reflective skills to lead to good practice when working with early years and young children, parents and other disciplinary services. You focus on child development and behaviours, assessment of children, comparison of children in the UK and across the world, and children’s services.

If you dont have a full level 3 qualification in early years, we offer an Early Childhood Studies Degree Network approved pathway. After graduating, you are a fully qualified level 6 practitioner.

The teaching team have an array of relevant and professional experience in childhood and early years. Active researchers and authors on the team, include the pedagogy of early literacy; poverty and the impact of childhood; early years pedagogies, which benefits your learning experience.

Top reasons to study this course
1. Sector speakers and experts share their experiences, giving you authentic and up to date views.
2. A range of theoretical and transferable skills make you career ready for a range of professions.
3. Teaching and support staff with specialised skills enrich your understanding and application to practice.
4. University services, such as careers and Volun-Tees, support your graduate employment skills and experiences.
5. Your final year project is an opportunity for you to focus and research on your own specialist interest

After the course:
Career opportunities are working with families and children in a range of different roles: for example as support workers and assistants in schools, local authority or health services. Students progress into roles in nurseries, schools and children centres supporting both children and parents. With a good honours degree, you can progress to post graduate professional study such as for teaching in the early years or social work.

The programme incorporates broad employability skills development that will help to prepare you for future employment. You will be encouraged to volunteer and will have opportunities to take part in projects. There are guest lectures from professionals working in relevant areas and opportunities for site visits. Workshops are available for skills development.

All programmes are designed to incorporate employability skills development alongside your degree course. Our staff utilise their extensive connections to provide many and varied opportunities to engage with potential employers through fairs, guest lecture sessions, live projects and site visits. In addition we offer a series of workshops and events in the first, second and third year that ensure all students are equipped with both degree level subject knowledge PLUS the practical skills that employers are looking for in new graduate recruits.

Our award-winning careers service provide information sessions each year to help students prepare for employment and they work with regional and national employers to provide careers fairs advertise graduate positions, in addition to providing postgraduate support for all Teesside University alumni.

Choosing Teesside University means joining a modern, ambitious university that puts students first. Named Modern University of the Year 2026 (Daily Mail University Guide 2026) and recognised for its outstanding student experience, Teesside combines award-winning teaching with the support you need to succeed.

Based in Middlesbrough, the university has invested millions into creating a vibrant campus packed with industry-standard facilities, study spaces and social hubs. You'll also have access to Adobe Creative Campus tools, helping you build valuable digital skills alongside your degree.

From day one, you'll be part of a welcoming student community with excellent support services, societies, sports clubs and opportunities to boost your career prospects. If you're looking for a university that helps you achieve more and make the most of student life, Teesside could be the perfect fit.