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Early Childhood Studies at University of Northampton - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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University of Northampton has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

30Nov
University of Northampton - open day event
Undergraduate
18Jan
University of Northampton - open day event
Undergraduate

Course summary

  • The University of Northampton is a top 20 institution for Childhood and Youth Studies in the Complete University Guide league tables for 2025.
  • 21st for Satisfied with Teaching for Education –The Guardian University Guide 2025 (Education League Table)
Our Early Childhood Studies degree is ideal if you’re looking to work with children and babies from birth to the age of eight. You will gain a broad understanding of the professional issues that underpin the care and education of young children as well as increasing your understanding and awareness of the rapidly evolving nature of early years provision around the world. You will cover children’s development and learning in the context of the family and the community, as well as wider national and international settings. Paediatric First Aid training is included as part of the course and you will have the opportunity to complete the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies. This course includes placements in each year which allows you to put your academic learning into practice giving you real, practical knowledge that will be invaluable in your future career. You will benefit from specialist sessions with professionals in the fields of special educational needs, social work, cultural diversity and creative and therapeutic approaches. This degree is excellent preparation for any leadership role in an Early Years setting. It is also a strong foundation for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), Early Years Teacher Status (0-5) or the School Direct route into teaching. NSS*
  • 100% of final year BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies students at The University of Northampton agreed they were satisfied with the course
  • 95% go on to work and / or study within 15 months after the course
  • 100% Staff are good at explaining things
  • 94% Staff have made the subject interesting
  • 100% The course is intellectually stimulating
By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:
  • You will experience student life at the University’s £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.
  • Students enrolling on this course at Northampton will be provided with their own brand new laptop** to keep at no additional cost. All sports clubs and societies are free to join at Northampton and every essential course text book is available via the library, meaning you won’t have to purchase copies. For more information on this visit our website (northampton.ac.uk/benefits).
  • At UON we guarantee a room in our Halls of Residence for all new full-time, first year students who apply and accept their room offer by June 2024 - and we won't ask for a deposit for September 2024***
  • Our expert academics teach in small groups supported with one to one assistance. Our academics and students form a tight bond, providing individualised support and guidance whilst challenging students academically.
  • Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.
The Northampton Employment Promise
  • We’re so confident in our careers and employability support that if you achieve at least a 2:2 degree and complete either our Employability Plus Gold programme or achieve a Changemaker Gold Certificate during your time studying with us, but still haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating, we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you or support you into postgraduate study.
✱ source: National Student Survey (NSS) 2022 ✱✱ eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. See northampton.ac.uk/benefits for more information ✱✱✱ eligibility criteria apply. See northampton.ac.uk/student-life/accommodation/ for more information

Modules

Stage 1 • Children’s Health and Wellbeing (Compulsory) • Professional Practice and Early Childhood 1 (Compulsory) • Personal, Academic and Professional Development (Compulsory) • The Developing Professional (Compulsory) • Child Development (Compulsory) • Ethical Approaches to Early Childhood (Compulsory) Stage 2 • Safeguarding and Child Protection (Compulsory) • Promoting Children’s Development (Compulsory) • Professional Practice in Early Childhood 2 (Compulsory) • Creative and Therapeutic Approaches (Compulsory) • Special Educational Needs and Disability (Compulsory) • Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood (Compulsory) Stage 3 • Dissertation (Compulsory) • Research and Inquiry in Professional Contexts (Compulsory) • Graduate Practitioner Practice (Compulsory) • Specialist Option: Health and Social Care (Designated) • Professional Pedagogy in Early Childhood Education and Care (Designated) • Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies (Designated) • Early Years Leadership and Management (Compulsory) Module information is quoted for 2024 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly.

Assessment method

There are no exams on this course. Instead, you will complete written assignments, presentations, projects, posters and professional development portfolios.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS

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:
N38
Campus name:
Waterside Campus
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 (or C) and GCSE English Language at grade 4 (or C) or equivalent qualifications are required. Please note Functional Skills qualifications and their equivalents are not accepted.

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
65%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
100%
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

Republic of Ireland £9250 Year 1
England £9250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 Year 1
Scotland £9250 Year 1
Wales £9250 Year 1
Channel Islands £9250 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

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Early Childhood Studies at University of Northampton - UCAS