Skip navigation
Early Years Education at University of Winchester - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
Apply

University of Winchester has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

30Nov
University of Winchester - Open Day
Undergraduate
18Jan
University of Winchester - Open Day
Undergraduate

Course summary

  • Acquire a deep understanding of why early years education is so important
  • Enjoy the freedom to follow up your own interests with a wide range of optional modules
  • Voluntary work in your second year counts towards academic credit
  • Focus on your employment prospects, whether you are looking to pursue a teaching career or other support roles in schools and early years settings
  • Benefit from a dedicated and supportive programme team
Research shows that early childhood education plays a critical role in cognitive development and later life. The Education Studies (Early Childhood) degree is perfect if you want to analyse in-depth why those early learning processes are so vital. Although some of the philosophical and pedagogical theories you study are the same as on the BA Education Studies degree at Winchester, the focus is always on how to apply them to the early years. Alongside core modules, you learn about how other factors influence early childhood learning, including race, gender, power, technology, culture, ecology and inclusion. One factor that makes this such a fascinating area for study is the intense political disagreement about all aspects of early education. On our course, you assess a range of political ideas about family life and caring for the young that have had far-reaching effects on schooling and wider society. In Year 1, you learn to familiarise yourself with the important names and terms in educational theory and you are encouraged to reflect on how your own educational experiences have influenced you. In Years 2 and 3, you learn more about the impact of different social, political and cultural perspectives on early childhood learning. The course gives you a lot of flexibility to follow your interests. In Year 2, you can choose from a range of optional modules as diverse as What is a Child?, Play, or Progressive Education. In this second year, you can also choose to do volunteering for academic credit. In Year 3, you write your dissertation on a topic of your choice – examples of 2017 dissertations include the role of the parent in the nature/nurture debate, the impact of life scripts in early childhood, and the relation between physical education and academic performance. You also pursue optional modules which may include the Loss of Childhood, Early Childhood in a Changing World, or Film in Education. By the end of the programme, you graduate as a well-rounded, critical thinker in early childhood theory. Our graduates pursue careers in teaching, social services, and the caring professions. Some do PGCEs, but most find the degree has opened their eyes to other possibilities. Many work in support roles in schools and early years settings, sometimes with children with special needs and often in challenging settings like pupil referral units or special schools. Others go into local government, international development or charity work. The Education Studies and Early Childhood BA is the right degree for you if you have a wide interest in education and early childhood. You may be thinking about teaching, but at this stage you are looking to keep your options open. The programme tutors form a dedicated and enthusiastic team who look forward to meeting you and talking about your ambitions.

Modules

For detailed information on modules you will be studying please click on the 'View course details' link at the top of this summary box.

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
X310
Institution code:
W76
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

Applicants who wish to apply for advanced standing (exemption from part of a programme) based on previous study are considered on an individual basis. Applicants are required to provide transcripts. confirming the module titles and grades they have already achieved, as well as module handbooks and/or programme specifications showing the learning outcomes of the modules completed.

International applicants

We accept a wide range of non-UK qualifications and use UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre) guidelines to confirm their equivalence.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Applicants are required to hold a minimum of 2 x A-level or equivalent qualifications (e.g. 2 x BTEC National Subsidiary Diplomas) and we accept all A-level subjects, including Critical Thinking, General Studies and own-language A-levels. We welcome applicants who have completed the Extended Project (EP/EPQ) and points obtained from this qualification will be included in any offer. In addition, we accept a maximum of 32 points from level 3 qualifications below A2 that are included in the tariff (e.g. AS-levels not studied at A-level, music or dance qualifications). If you are a mature student, your application will be considered on its individual merits and work or other professional experience may be taken into consideration in lieu of other published requirements.

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6An overall score of 6.0, including 5.5 in writing is required. If you require Tier 4 sponsorship, you will require a minimum of 5.5 in all 4 components.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
45%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
80%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1
Channel Islands £9535 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535 Year 1
EU £16700 Year 1
International £16700 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Applicants to this course are expected to obtain Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance prior to beginning the course at the University. Our Admissions Team will be in contact with further information about when and how to obtain this clearance after an offer has been accepted. Please note, the cost of the check is covered by the applicant (currently £49.50). For further information about any additional costs associated with this course please see the individual course page on the University of Winchester website (www.winchester.ac.uk).
Early Years Education at University of Winchester - UCAS