Early Childhood and Primary Education (including a Foundation Year)

The education landscape plays a critical role in children’s cognitive and emotional development, and how they progress through later life. This course specialises in the transformative power within both the Primary Education and Early Childhood sectors, and is perfect if you wish to discuss, discover, and analyse in-depth why learning experiences are vital.

You will explore contemporary thinking relating to play, social and emotional development, and the philosophy of childhood and education. Early education creates intense discussion across political and societal landscapes, exposing tensions between care and education. This course supports you to analyse and assess a range of political and societal ideas about family life and teaching and caring for children that have far-reaching impacts on their schooling and wider society.

This course offers you a great deal of flexibility and supports you to follow your professional interests. In your second year, you will be well-poised to choose a pathway to specialise in either Early Childhood or in Primary Education, and we tailor modules so that they deepen and widen your knowledge in these areas.

We’re particularly proud of our third-year offering; in this year you will author a personal (and often inspirational) research project. Examples of dissertations include how gender influences toy choices, perceptions of sign language between parents and practitioners, healthy eating in a school environment, and the ‘Justifiable Lie’: the magic of Santa!

BA Early Childhood and Primary Education Pathways

This course allows you to study a specialist pathway. Our pathways provide you with specific modules and opportunities to enable you to tailor your studies towards areas you are passionate about, whether through Early Childhood Studies or Primary Education Studies specialisms.

Our Early Childhood Studies pathway will provide a critical understanding of social, political, and cultural perspectives on early childhood learning. It will encourage independent thinking as you analyse theory and practice in early years settings. This pathway is ideal if you’re passionate about the foundational stages of children's development and will prepare you with a Level 3 Early Years Educator licence to practice alongside your degree.

Our pathway in Primary Education Studies is designed for students interested in specialising in the development, learning, and education of children aged 5-11. The pathway emphasises inclusive teaching strategies, equipping you with the skills to support diverse learners and create engaging, responsive learning environments. With a blend of academic study and placement experience, this pathway will prepare you to pursue a career in primary education, with options to further your qualifications through postgraduate study. This pathway is ideal if you are passionate about making a difference in children’s early educational experiences and contributing positively to the primary school setting.

The University of Chester offers courses that go beyond lectures in a city perfect for students.

At Chester, your learning goes beyond lectures. Their distinctive academic experience combines expert teaching with real-world opportunities to help you develop practical, career-ready skills. You’ll learn through the Chester Future Skills framework, designed to build the attributes employers value most – from adaptability and creativity to digital confidence.

Furthermore, Chester offers the perfect backdrop for your university experience, as a safe yet vibrant city with ‘Purple Flag’ status. There’s everything students need close at hand, from riverside walks and city-wide events to a unique nightlife and independent cafés. You’ll find a welcoming community and an unbeatable quality of life.

Explore your possibilities in Clearing at Chester.