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Early Childhood Studies at West Suffolk College - UCAS

West Suffolk College

Degree level: Undergraduate
Awarded by: University of East Anglia

Early Childhood Studies

Course summary

Early Childhood Studies is an exciting multi-disciplinary programme designed for those who wish to pursue a career working with children and/or their families. The degree takes a multi-disciplinary and holistic approach to childhood studies providing you with the opportunity to consider and evaluate education, health, welfare, psychology, sociology, legal, philosophical, political and economic issues from a range of different perspectives as they relate to children and childhood. You will study child development theory, sociological aspects of childhood, children’s health and wellbeing, safeguarding, early years education, effective leadership in the early years, working with children and families, childhoods across the globe and the digital age amongst other subjects. The work placement element of this programme will provide you with valuable opportunities to develop your own skills in early years practice and contextualise the theories that you are learning in class. Work experience increases your employability and helps you to make useful links within the early years sector. The work placements run alongside practice-based modules, at Level 5 Early Years Practice and at Level 6, Working with Children and Families. Assessment for these modules' links to students’ placement experiences e.g., reflective diaries and final reflective accounts. Placement requirement: 15 full working days at Level 5 (year 2) 15 full working days at Level 6 (year 3) Students may also wish to undertake completion of the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies. This certification is optional for students studying the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (ECS) degree. All ECS students will complete mandatory work placements at Levels 5 and 6. However, the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies certification requires an additional work placement at Level 4 and a higher number of placement days at Levels 5 and 6. Students who wish to be awarded the Graduate Practitioner Competencies are required to build a portfolio of practice over the three years of their degree that effectively evidences the competencies. There is also an end point assessment. To complete the Graduate Practitioner Competencies ECS students must meet the following criteria: Be completing a full time (3 year) work-based Early Childhood Studies degree Must have achieved Level 2 English and math's qualifications at grade 4 or above or hold a formally recognised equivalent (this can be done alongside the degree/competencies). Placement requirement for Graduate Practitioner Competencies (optional): 80 days of work-based assessed placements in a range of Early Childhood settings and/or schools, health, or social care settings, across the 0-8 age range: Level 4 - 25 days (Students with a full and relevant Level 3 qualification in the Early Years can map it to 5 days of placement at Level 4) Level 5 - 30 days Level 6 - 25 days

Modules

Level 4: Child Development Children’s Health and Well-being Sociological Aspects of Childhood The Role of the Early Years Educator Children and Families Introduction to Study and Research Level 5: Safeguarding Children The Role of Play in Childrens Development Research Methods Supporting Childrens Learning Outdoors Early Years Practice (Placement Module) Psychological Perspectives of Childhood Level 6: Effective Leadership in the Early Years Working with Children and Families (Placement Module) Childhood in the Digital Age Childhoods Across the Globe Dissertation

Assessment method

A range of assessment methodologies are utilised and designed to enable you to explore the discipline, your career aspirations and the development of professional networks. Assessment methods include both formative and summative submissions. The formative assessments focus on theoretical underpinnings, ethics and frameworks, practical application of theory to practice and development of practitioner resources applied to different settings. In the main, formative assessments provide opportunities for group work, peer to peer support and feedforward to support the completion of summative assessments. A variety of summative assessment methods are used, including review papers, production of health promotion leaflets, essays, presentations, child observation and analysis, case study analysis, play activity planning and written reflective accounts. Students completing the Graduate Practitioner Competencies (optional) will build an e-portfolio to evidence their progress of competency completion and professional development. They will also complete an end point assessment at Level 6.


How to apply

Application codes

Course code:
G001
Institution code:
W46
Campus name:
University Studies and Professional Development Centre
Campus code:
B

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Applicants who do not meet the published entry requirements will be considered on an individual basis based upon prior learning and relevant experience. Entry to this course requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Our Admissions Team will provide more information to applicants on the DBS check application process once an offer has been accepted.

Additional entry requirements

Other


English language requirements

GCSE Maths and English at Level 4 and above.


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £8500 Year 1
Northern Ireland £8500 Year 1
Scotland £8500 Year 1
Wales £8500 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

Outside of course fees, there are some additional costs associated with the completion of the programme. Travel costs: you will undertake at least 30 full working days of placement (more for the Graduate Practitioner option) requiring independent travel to the placement provider(s). Before you begin practice you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Data Baring Service (DBS) check. Additional costs may include the purchase of core texts – we acknowledge individuals may prefer hard copy core texts for annotation and reference.
Early Childhood Studies at West Suffolk College - UCAS