BA Early Childhood Studies
About this course
BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies, an Early Childhood Studies and Education degree centred on the holistic development and care of young children. Core topics include Research Methods, Communication & Writing, and Ethics & Professional Practice. The curriculum incorporates placement settings where students apply theoretical perspectives to practical environments. The course begins with a foundation year featuring Professional and Academic Skills for University Study, Applied Learning Project, and Foundations in Education and Society. Year 1 introduces the discipline through Children's Health and Well-Being, Ethical Approaches to Early Childhood, Child Development, and Professional Practice in Early Childhood 1. Year 2 builds on this with Creative and Therapeutic Approaches, Safeguarding and Child Protection, Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, and Special Educational Needs and Disability. The final year involves advanced study such as Research and Inquiry in Professional Contexts, Graduate Practitioner Practice, Early Years Leadership and Management, and a Dissertation. Optional modules in the final year include Specialist Option: Health and Social Care, and Professional Pedagogy in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A typical offer would be: CCC at A Level or, MMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or, Pass (C and above) at T Level We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications. Other Entry Requirements: Applicants are expected to hold GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent in English and Mathematics. You will be expected to demonstrate your commitment to Early Childhood Studies by having previous experience of working with children under the age of eight. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are also required. Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) Entry Requirements: The standard entry requirements for the Early Childhood Studies Foundation Year are: DEE at A level or, MPP at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or, Pass (D or E) at T Level We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.
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What students say
Based on about 18 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 79%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 80%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 74%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 50 students who started
- Continued on course: 80%
- Gained a higher qualification: 10%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 30%
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Teaching and Childcare Associate Professionals: 15%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Other Educational Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 95%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 90%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 85%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 60 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 39%
- West Midlands: 14%
- East of England: 15%
- London: 6%
- South East: 18%
- South West: 6%
Who gets in
Based on about 50 students who started
- A levels: 80%
- Other HE qualification: 15%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Professional and Academic Skills for University Study
- Applied Learning Project
- Foundations in Education and Society
- Children's Health and Well-Being
- Personal, Academic, and Professional Development 1
- Ethical Approaches to Early Childhood
- The Developing Professional
- Child Development
- Professional Practice in Early Childhood 1
- Creative and Therapeutic Approaches
- Safeguarding and Child Protection
- Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood
- Promoting Children's Development
- Professional Practice in Early Childhood
- Special Educational Needs and Disability
- Research and Inquiry in Professional Contexts
- Graduate Practitioner Practice
- Early Years Leadership and Management
- Dissertation
- Specialist Option: Health and Social Care
- Professional Pedagogy in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies (Zero Credit Module)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Early Childhood Studies at University of Northampton earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £28,000 after 3 years, £28,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £20,000 and £35,500. The £28,500 median after five years is £6,000 more than the UK median for Childhood and youth studies.
What do graduates of BA Early Childhood Studies at University of Northampton do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Early Childhood Studies at University of Northampton?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Early Childhood Studies at University of Northampton?
The typical offer is CCC at A level. The average entrant had 101 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Early Childhood Studies at University of Northampton?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.