Early Childhood Development and Learning BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
HNC/HND courses
Lady in a library sifting through books

Being involved in the educational and personal growth of children can offer a highly fulfilling profession. This course specifically concentrates on children aged 0-8, with the goal of equipping graduates to make valuable contributions to early childhood development.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years sandwich
3 year - Degree
2 year - HND
1 year - HNC
Flexible part-time

UCAS codes

X300 / X301 / X302

Start date

April 2024
June 2024


Course overview

Success in this field demands a combination of creativity, empathy, logical thinking and extensive knowledge, coupled with the capacity to draw upon personal life experiences.

Given the dynamic nature of this industry, this course emphasises the exploration of policies, procedures, exemplary approaches and hands-on learning to provide a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental aspects of child development.

Why you should study this course

  • Opportunity to take part in invaluable practical placements2,5 (if taking the Graduate Practitioner route).
  • Additional option to work towards obtaining Graduate Practitioner status in early childhood settings*.
  • Undertake an investigation into a topic relating to early childhood enabling you to make informed recommendations for future policy, research and practice.
  • You are encouraged to draw on your own personal experience and make links between your study at university, your personal experience and your professional practice in the field of early childhood.
  • You can explore a range of international perspectives on early childhood, which you can apply to your own research area.
  • Opportunities to engage with students at other international universities and industry experts through initiatives like our Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project2.
  • Opportunities to conduct critical research with our highly experienced staff. 


*Subject to meeting all the competencies set out by The Early Childhood Studies Degree Network (ECSDN), which includes securing and passing work-based assessed placements2,5. Successful completion of all modules (across all three levels) and assessed placements will lead to an Honours degree with Graduate Practitioner Competencies. Please check the ECSDN website for further information.

Membership

  • The Early Childhood Studies Degree Network (ECSDN)
  • Sector-Endorsed Foundation Degrees in Early Years Professional Association (SEFDEY)
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What you'll study

With a child-centred approach, this year is designed to introduce the key concepts and principles within childhood development and learning. Setting the framework for both academic and professional skills, you will seek to gain an understanding of factors that impact upon learning and development from both individual needs to environmental influences for children between the ages of 0 to 8 years. Within the first year you will be introduced to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), alongside various other international curricula.

Students who successfully complete year one are eligible for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Early Childhood Development and Learning.

Modules

As the course progresses, you will continue to build on knowledge gained in year one to solidify core principles. Critical appraisal of childhood perception is introduced, alongside evaluations of diversity in development methods. You will analyse the role of statutory guidance for early years practice and legislation. Finally, you delve into the global sphere, interacting with students from international universities to understand global methods (subject to availability). This research is then used to compare different countries’ early years policies with the UK educational system. Students who successfully complete year two are eligible for a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Early Childhood Development and Learning.

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur before your final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time, you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

In year three, you explore cultural diversification and management as well as delving into international perspectives of children. You’ll examine family structures and different environments, analysing and understanding diverse ethnic backgrounds and educational differences. You will be trained at an executive level, learning the skills required to manage a nursery, including key components such as the recruitment of staff and the Management of Special Needs and Disabilities (SEND) requirements. By successfully completing year three you will be awarded a BA (Hons) degree in Early Childhood Development and Learning.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

This course is available as a full-time three-year course without placements, a full-time three-year course with local placement in years one, two and three or an optional four-year sandwich course where you undertake a work placement or study year in a related field2,5.

Students who undertake the Early Childhood Development and Learning degree will have the opportunity to undertake assessed placements at each level (levels 4, 5 and 6)2,5. Upon successful completion of these placements, students will obtain a licence to practise, in line with best practise in the early childhood sector. As they have acquired the ECSDN Graduate Practitioner Competencies in early childhood settings. The competencies have been developed by members of the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (ECSDN) in consultation with students and employers, with an aim of ‘strengthening a graduate-led Early Childhood workforce that is responsive to workforce needs and improves outcomes for children’ (ECSDN, 2018).

Our teaching methods are varied, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of all our students, so in addition to lectures, we also utilise online aspects, workshops and group work. We also operate an open-door policy, with additional availability via email and our current online learning platform, Aula.

Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.

Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end of year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and practical assessments, which is more reflective of our learning model.

This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Request further information about part-time study.


Teaching contact hours

Full-time
If you choose to study full-time you can expect up to 20 hours of learning activities per week, made up of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, online classes and independent learning.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 30 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

Part-time
If you choose to study part-time you'll usually receive up to 11 hours per week of learning, including classes, tutorials and online learning. Outside of this, there will also be independent study and online support. Please note part-time courses run subject to numbers.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Essays
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Coursework
  • Individual assignments

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Our BA (Hons) Early Childhood Development and Learning degree is your first step to a successful and worthwhile future. It aims to provide theoretical and practical learning modules that underpin knowledge and understanding of concepts of early years, education and teaching, and are relevant to both current practice in early years and the changing context of the sector.

Angela Bonehill, Course Leader, 2023
Two women training for childhood learning and development

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.

Entry level What we're looking for
HNC 64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND 80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree 104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

Students will be subject to a DBS check before enrolment.5

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Access Course 
Successful completion of our Health and Human Sciences Access to HE course will guarantee you progression onto this degree programme, subject to meeting specified criteria.

If you undertake an Access to HE course, you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. If you are eligible and awarded an Advanced Learner Loan, and successfully complete an eligible Higher Education course, the outstanding balance from your Access course could be written off. For full information and to check your eligibility visit www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies.

Are you eligible for the CU Support Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background.

CU Support Scheme

Entry level What we're looking for
HNC 64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND 80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree 104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

Students will be subject to a DBS check before enrolment. Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section5.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on how to apply and travelling to and living in the UK.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

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Fees and funding

2023/24 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £7,950 per year Not available
EU £7,950 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£18,300 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £18,300 per year Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees3 cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees3:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

All our facilities are located at Mile Lane. Our building has been designed to enable collaboration, creativity and innovation to flourish, and includes (subject to availability)4:

  • Indoor and outdoor social spaces, including a café
  • A library that includes loan laptops, over 115,000 eBooks and a silent study area
  • Open access IT suites and 83-inch teaching screens
  • Engineering lab, science lab and a moot courtroom
  • Student support and careers advice teams

Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion of the Early Childhood Development and Learning degree, graduates will possess a wide range of knowledge, skills, and abilities that will enable them to make a meaningful impact in the field.

These key areas include expertise in Child Development including cognitive, social, emotional, and physical aspects. They will understand how to create engaging and inclusive learning environments that foster holistic development and cater to the diverse needs of children. Graduates will have a repertoire of effective teaching strategies and techniques tailored to early childhood education. They will be adept at using play-based learning, hands-on activities, and inquiry-based approaches to facilitate children's learning and promote their curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking skills.  

Graduates will be proficient in assessing children's progress and learning outcomes. They will be able to use various assessment tools and strategies to gather data, track individual progress, and make informed instructional decisions to support each child's development. Graduates will possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, enabling them to effectively collaborate with families, colleagues, and other professionals in the field.  

Graduates should uphold high ethical standards and demonstrate professionalism in their interactions and practices. They will understand the importance of ongoing professional development.

There are opportunities to progress in your career during and beyond the course, with your study with us opening up a number of avenues for future career development in areas such as:

  • Teaching in early years and primary schools, educational leadership and management
  • Working in services relating to Inclusion and SEND, safeguarding
  • Children’s mental health, speech and language therapy, play therapy
  • Family support worker, social work
  • Early childhood education and care research, publication
  • Further studies in Early Childhood at postgraduate level

Where our graduates work

Graduates from previous Early Childhood Development and Learning BA (Hons) degree have gone onto work in:

  • Primary schools
  • Private day nurseries
  • Forest schools
  • Local authority
  • Further education colleges and schools
  • Child-minding

Previous CU graduates have progressed into successful careers within industry, for a number of organisations such as Busy Bees Nursery and Angels Childcare Recruitment.

Further study

  • Early Childhood MA
  • Education MA
  • Leadership and Management MA
  • PGCE
  • SCITT
  • EYITT

How to apply

Full-time UK undergraduate students apply through UCAS. Otherwise, you will need to apply to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.


If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

International students should apply to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International pages or Coventry University Group's International hub.


If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.