About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: X312
- Applications: UCAS
- Level: Undergraduate
- Tariff points: Normally 280 minimum
- Department: Education
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: Three years full-time
- Delivery: Full-time
- Programme leader: Mandy Lee
Introduction
Early Childhood offers an exploration of issues regarding provision for early childhood, focusing on children aged 0-8. Within the course we encourage you to link theory to the practice of working with children and develop a critical understanding of a range of issues in this field of study. You will learn about different professional roles in within the early years sector, including though not limited to Early Years teaching and working as a graduate level Early Years professional.
Find out more about what Studies in Childhood and Education at UWE has to offer in terms of teaching quality, staff expertise and your student experience.
Student's view
"The programme is a great platform for my career. It has given me increased confidence in my own ability."
Undergraduate student
Structure
Content
Early Childhood modules include a focus on: perspectives on play; child development including children's conceptual and linguistic development; historical and cross-cultural comparisons on childhood; technological and commercial impacts on children and working as a professional with children. A significant theme is the dynamic debate around children's rights, and you will examine national and international policies concerning young children. You will also consider the ethics and methodology of researching children's lives. In your final year you write a dissertation based on research with children during your work-related learning.
Hear what our students think about their time at UWE.
Teaching and learning
We use a variety of methods of teaching including formal lectures, seminars and workshops, tutor and student led study groups, and one-to-one tutorials. All students are expected to develop their ability to work independently and learn collaboratively with their peers; being able to self-start, work with others and problem solve are very important and marketable graduate skills. We will provide you with all the support and encouragement you need to help you to succeed.
Work independently/time management
All students are expected to be able to motivate themselves and learn independently, as employers regard this as an important graduate skill. We actively encourage you to learn independently by providing you with the support and help needed to study effectively on your own and manage your time well.
Communicate effectively
Studying Early Childhood involves understanding the philosophical, social and psychological context of young children's learning and development. The modules you study will give you the opportunity to improve your capacity to write and speak well and to understand diverse approaches to early childhood in a range of cultural settings. The assignments that you carry out will encourage you to make use of a diverse range of media and improve your ICT skills.
The programme encourages learners to critically compare a range of perspectives on early childhood, drawing on sources such as children's voices, parental voices, educational voices, as well as theorised perspectives. The ability to understand a range of voices and to critique diverse perspectives provides a sound footing for work in early years settings and wider opportunities which exist as part of the provision for young children.
Interpret data and articulate ideas successfully (problem solving)
Early Childhood Studies requires a disciplined approach to argument and data based on a variety of perspectives. This means that you need to be able to deal with competing and sometimes conflicting accounts of childhood and understand the theoretical and empirical basis of these differences. By developing your ability to process and critically evaluate information, you will develop your skills to assess the reliability of information, to understand complex and controversial material and to interpret it sensitively and well.
Develop interpersonal skills
Whether you choose to work in Early Years settings, education, children's support services or in the wider world of business, the Early Childhood Studies programme will help you develop excellent interpersonal skills, through the practical collaborative tasks you are required to undertake. Both empirical and library based tasks are undertaken and presented collaboratively.
Develop IT skills
You will learn how to use ICT packages for writing, reporting and presentational purposes, as well as for keeping up-to-date on policy developments and current research and debates via the Internet.
Find out more about our academic staff, their teaching expertise and research interests.
Study time
This is a full-time course, but we timetable to ensure that students have sufficient space in their week for other commitments, including work related learning.
Assessment
We use a range of assessment types, including presentations and written assignments, some of which are written under exam conditions.
Special Features
Placements
Work-related learning and study abroad
As well as developing key skills such as communication, working collaboratively and independently, time management, interpreting data, articulating ideas successfully, developing interpersonal skills and IT skills, you will also gain first-hand experience of working within early years settings. This will involve you observing and working with young children in these settings as an integral part of your studies.
The purpose of your time spent in these settings is to learn about children, their interactions and their pre-occupations. This will complement and enhance your academic studies and will provide opportunities for you to gain insights into working with young children. You will use these experiences as part of your research with young children.
Because work with young children is part of the Early Childhood degree, students must have a successful Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) check and be fit to work in an Early Years setting in order to undertake the course.
Depending on the availability of suitable academic agreements with partner universities, you may be able to apply for a period of study abroad during your second year.
Study facilities
The Department of Education provides a pleasant environment in which to study. Its modern, purpose-built facilities provide high quality teaching rooms with state-of-the-art technology available. The Department has excellent IT facilities and houses an Open Learning Area with the latest equipment including an interactive whiteboard, CD burners, scanners and a range of equipment that can be booked out and borrowed, including digital cameras and laptops, with friendly staff on hand to help when needed.
Careers/further study
Graduates from this course go on to a wide range of careers. Much professional work with young children and families requires postgraduate qualifications. Recent graduates have gone on to qualify as Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 teachers (Post Graduate Certificate in Education), train for Early Years Professional Status (EYPS), and do postgraduate degrees in speech therapy, play therapy, social work and conversion courses for law and healthcare work. Other students begin careers in early years settings where their experience and understanding gained on the course enables them to progress to supervisory and managerial roles.
With the cost of Higher Education increasing, making the decision to study at university can seem daunting. But we believe it can greatly benefit you by enhancing your skills and improving your job prospects, in addition to being a worthwhile experience in its own right.
Supported Pathway to Teaching
This course contains within it a supported pathway for those interested in postgraduate study for teaching in Primary or Early Years Education that will support you in making a strong application for a PGCE. Provided you achieve a good 2.1 degree, can demonstrate suitability for teaching and make an early application we will give you prior consideration for progression to available places on the PGCE Primary Early Years Education programme (3-7) at UWE.
For those interested specifically in teaching in primary education across 5-11 you may also want to consider the degree programme BA (Hons) Education and Early Childhood.
Graduate destinations
Find out what our graduates are doing six months after graduating- includes examples of careers, employers and further study. Download a PDF from graduate destinations.
Key employer partnerships
UWE highly values its long standing partnerships with some 400 secondary, further education, primary and early year settings across the South West and beyond and welcomes applications from new partnership schools and colleges. Partnership with UWE offers schools, colleges and early years settings the opportunity to play a major part in training the next generation of teachers and to gain support for existing teachers in professional development. Additionally, working with trainees, in partnership with the University, can have a positive impact on pupils' learning.
Creating employable students
UWE places strong emphasis on employability and skills development at every level. Through work placements, volunteering, study abroad and UWE initiatives which nurture talent and encourage innovation, students gain valuable real world experience and graduate with diverse career opportunities and a competitive place in the job market.
See great graduate prospects for further information.
Be inspired
Read how Madeleine worked part time as a nanny alongside her studies.
Useful links
UWE - careers in education and teaching
Prospects - careers in teaching and education
The UWE careers service provides guidance and support throughout your studies in addition to useful resources, CV checks, career coaching and details of current job vacancies.
Entry
Typical offers
- Tariff points: Normally 280 minimum
- GCSE: Maths and English Language at grade C or above required.
- Relevant subjects: Childhood studies and psychology and sociology are particularly relevant. We also accept the CACHE Diploma in childcare.
- Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; achievement of level 2 credits in maths and English language.
Entry requirements
All offers will be subject to a successful medical and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance.
For those considering this degree as a route into Primary teaching you would be recommended to have GCSEs or equivalent qualifications in English Language (grade C), maths (grade C) and single or double science (grade C), plus normally grade B at A level or equivalent in a Primary National Curriculum Subject (Foundation and Core).
Fees
Fees and finance
How to apply
Please see the general information about
applications.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011