Early Childhood Studies
The programme has been designed by professionals across the sector to meet the training needs of current and future practitioners. The course provides a broad understanding of how young children think, learn and develop.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor at UK Level 6 |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Queens University Belfast |
| NFQ Level |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor at UK Level 6 | Queens University Belfast |
Duration
3 years full-time.
Entry Requirements
IRISH LEAVING CERTIFICATE
H3H3H3H3H4H4 to include English and Mathematics.
Careers / Further progression
Enhancing employability is a key part of the student experience. The transferable skills developed on the degree, together with extensive professional placement experience, ensure that our graduates are highly sought after. The most recent Graduate Outcome survey results report that 97% of our graduates are in employment or further study fifteen months after graduation. .
CAREERS
The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree forms a sound basis for career progression in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors of early years provision including:
Early Years Organisations
Nursery and Primary Schools
Centres Associated With The Early Years Organisation
Toy and Book Libraries
Creches
Parent and Toddler Groups
Childcare And Family Centres
A Level 6 qualification, this degree exceeds the requirements for leadership and management qualifications under the terms of the Minimum Standards For Child Minding And Daycare (DHSSPS, 2012). A number of graduates have pursued further study at both Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s level in the fields of Early Childhood Studies and Social Work. Others have taken up employment through, for example, the Government funded “Sure Start” initiative.
DEGREE ENHANCEMENT
Our Degree Enhancement programme is designed to further help you to stand out from the crowd. The programme provides a range of opportunities to enhance your skillset through optional short courses, awards and volunteering opportunities in areas relevant to your chosen career path.
Further information
ADDITIONAL COURSE COSTS
All Students
There may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies. To support their studies, students are encouraged to borrow books and access online learning resources from the Library. This service is free. However, if students wish to purchase texts, rather than borrow them from the Library, prices per text typically range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Early Childhood Studies (ECS)
It is a requirement that applicants who are accepted onto the programme undergo an Enhanced AccessNI Check at the beginning of first and third years. The current cost of an Enhanced AccessNI Check is £33.
All ECS students undertake compulsory periods of work placement each year as part of the programme and should be aware that they will have to fund any associated travel and living costs. In final year, there may be costs associated with transport and materials for your dissertation research project and additional costs for printing and binding. Students undertaking an Erasmus+ or international study abroad option as part of the programme should be aware that, although grants are available, students may have to fund or supplement travel and living costs.
Entry Year 2024.
Entry Year 2024.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications for full-time undergraduate courses and the full-time Foundation Degree Early Childhood Studies and Foundation Degree Physical Education and Sport are made through the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS).
Institution code name: SUCB
Institution code: S79
WHEN TO APPLY
Applications made through UCAS for 2024 entry open in September 2023. The closing date for receipt of applications made through UCAS is 31 January 2024 (18:00) - check the UCAS website for exact date. The closing date for receipt of application forms for 2024 entry to the BA Early Childhood Studies (part-time) is 01 March and for the PGCE Early Years is 01 February 2024.
ADMISSIONS PROCESS - BEd AND BA (FULL-TIME) PROGRAMMES
The College receives applications directly from UCAS. Applications are considered on the basis of the information provided. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that complete detail is provided. All applications must contain a reference, otherwise they will not be considered. All fully completed applications submitted by the normal closing date, late January (check UCAS website for date) are given equal consideration. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
STEP 1 – REVIEW OF ACADEMIC PROFILE
Applicants must have a minimum C grade in GCSE English and Mathematics (see page 32 for full GCSE requirements). If an applicant is attempting to achieve the GCSE subject requirements in the year of application, this must be demonstrated in the UCAS application. Please note that Level 2 Essential Skills Numeracy and Application of Number is not acceptable in lieu of GCSE Mathematics. Level 2 Essential Skills Communication is acceptable in lieu of GCSE English. An unsuccessful decision will be processed against an application that does not meet the GCSE requirements. Applicants that have already completed A-levels (or equivalent level 3 qualifications) but do not precisely meet or fall slightly below the entry requirements, may still be shortlisted for interview, but will not initially receive an offer. Such applicants may be reconsidered in August, assuming the required interview score has been achieved and depending upon availability of places.
STEP 2 – REVIEW OF UCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT
Applicants who meet the initial academic criteria will have their personal statement reviewed by a member of staff in Academic Registry. A personal desire and motivation for teaching (BEd) or working with young children (BA) must be evident in your personal statement. You will be required to demonstrate this by providing examples of working with children in a structured environment, preferably in a nursery, primary or post-primary school classroom setting. An unsuccessful decision will be processed for any applicant that does not demonstrate this evidence in their personal statement.
STEP 3 – INTERVIEW AND PRESENTATION
Applicants that pass the first two steps of the process will be invited to take part in an interview and presentation. Applicants will be notified of their interview date, and the presentation topic, at least one week beforehand. Interviews are held in February and March. The interview is conducted by a panel of two, normally comprising a member of academic staff from Stranmillis University College and a current/retired education professional. The presentation is followed by a short interview during which the interviewers will ask you a number of set questions. The interview, including the presentation, lasts approximately 20 minutes. Both the interview and the presentation are scored out of 20 giving a total possible score of 40.
STEP 4 – OFFERS
Offers are made on the basis of ranked interview and presentation score and verification of qualifications. The College aims to have offers processed on UCAS before the end of March, however, the final UCAS deadline for ‘on time’ applications is May (check UCAS website for exact dates).
The Early Childhood Studies programme is based on the concept of ‘Educare’. It aims to investigate and advance a multi-professional approach to early childhood education and care services in Northern Ireland and beyond. The programme has been designed by professionals across the sector to meet the training needs of current and future practitioners. The course provides a broad understanding of how young children think, learn and develop. The programme covers three core themes - Understanding the Child, The Child in the Learning Context and The Child in the Family and Community - taking account of the latest developments within the field of early childhood and reflecting the multi-professional and multidisciplinary nature of contemporary early childhood services.
HOW WILL I STUDY?
In addition to lectures, tutorials, workshops and individual/group projects, a substantial part of the teaching and learning process is delivered through your work-based placements. During your studies, you will have the opportunity to gain experience in a variety of settings with children between 0 and 8 years. You will also have the opportunity to apply for an exciting study abroad adventure in year 2, living and studying at one of the College’s Erasmus+ partner universities.
WHO WILL BE TEACHING ME?
In College and on your work-based professional placements, you will be taught, assessed and supported by an exceptional team of internationally recognised, research-led and experienced lecturers and tutors. As a small, specialist institution, you get to know your tutors and they get to know you and support you in becoming a highly qualified practitioner.
Teaching & Learning
The Stranmillis motto is Docendo Discimus: ‘Through teaching we learn’. Our aim is to deliver the highest quality teaching and learning environment to enable you to achieve your full academic potential and develop as an outstanding workplace practitioner. Innovative thinking, pushing boundaries and creating new and better solutions to professional challenges and global issues within the field of early childhood education and care are central to the course.
A BLENDED APPROACH
Our teaching staff have a passion: a desire to inspire you to learn, to question and to innovate. We know that doesn’t happen in the lecture theatre alone. Your teaching and learning experience is enriched through a blended learning approach of lectures, workshops, tutorials, group and individual projects and self-directed study.
PERSONAL TUTOR
Every student is assigned a personal tutor, who will take the time to get to know you and your learning needs, giving you personalised academic support throughout your degree.
WORK-BASED PLACEMENTS
Work-based placements are an integral and core part of the degree, allowing you to see your learning being put into practice in a supervised and supportive environment. In year 1, you will be on placement two days a week in each semester, one in a voluntary sector playgroup and one in a private sector daycare. In year 2, you will have 2 block placements, each lasting three weeks, in a statutory nursery school or unit or a nursery class within a primary school. In year 3, you will be on placement 2 days a week, in each semester, in two sectors/locations selected by you in line with your future career aspirations. Students should note that year 1 and 2 placements take place with a 20 mile radius of the College.
STUDY ABROAD
In year 2, you will have the opportunity to study abroad at one of our 30+ partner institutions through our Erasmus+ programme – a learning experience that our students find hugely enriching academically as well as personally: experiencing and sharing cultures; improving language skills; and acquiring new perspectives on education and learning.
The modules below illustrate the current curriculum available on the BA Early Childhood Studies degree. However, modules are subject to change.
YEAR 1
Children’s Learning Intentions
Foundations in Social and Developmental Learning
Childhood in Society
Professional Experience 1
Child Development
Children’s Health and Wellbeing
YEAR 2
Partnership with Children & Families
Children in the Early Years Environment
Management, Leadership & Professionalism
Early Years Curriculum (3-8 Years)
Professional Experience 2
Research Methods
plus one module from the following:
Diversity & Inclusion
Curiosity, Creativity and the Child
Fundamental Movement
The Under Threes in the Early Years Setting
Students undertaking an international placement will take the following: European Mobility for Students of ECS (Incorporating Early Years Curriculum (3-8 Years), Management, Leadership & Professionalism & Professional Experience 2.
YEAR 3
International Perspectives
Undertaking a Small-Scale Project
plus three modules from the following:
Developing Professionalism
Advanced Social & Developmental Learning
Playful Learning and Teaching in Practice
Advanced Understanding of Diversity & Inclusion
Early Years Intervention
A variety of assessment methods are used, including critically reflective essays; individual and group projects and presentations; written examinations; assessment on placement; and a final dissertation.
Stranmillis University College
Stranmillis Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Northern Ireland, BT9 5DY.
T: 028 9038 1271
E: info@stran.ac.uk