Take a look at childhood and explore children’s early years. This course will help you investigate childhood through sociology, social psychology, history, and philosophy. You will work with young children and families through course activities and placements having the option of gaining professional recognition of your practice. If your qualifications don’t allow direct entry to degree level or you have been out of formal education for some time, this course is for you.

We offer high-quality teaching, a stimulating learning environment where you'll feel supported and ready for degree study. In your first year, you'll develop your knowledge of the ways children and adults come to know what they know. You’ll acquire a toolkit of skills and the confidence to know how to use it. Upon successful completion, you’ll join the undergraduate BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies programme where you'll develop a deeper understanding of children’s lives and experiences.

Top up your foundation degree to full Honours level on this one-year course. Our teaching combines academic rigour with fun, creative ways to encourage the under fives to take part in learning.

The course is taught in the evenings, as you'll be on a paid or voluntary work throughout the programme.

It's designed to meet the exact but changing needs of employers, and will develop your knowledge and understanding of working with babies and young children.

Areas of study include a variety of disciplinary and ideological perspectives relating to early childhood development and education, along with research informed practice and the development of your reflective practice.

On this course you will integrate your existing knowledge, experience and skills with those acquired through engagement with the wide range of learning, teaching and assessment strategies. The course is rewarding and intellectually stimulating. It will provide you with opportunities to reflect on your professional role and explore the relationship between research and practice. Key values, issues and concepts pertinent to the development and education of children and young people will be debated to give you a better understanding of the contexts children, young people and families experience. There will be a special focus on the Early Years within some modules.

This course incorporates academic study and work based learning. There are four themes which are embedded throughout the programme; research and innovative intervention; employability; reflective professional practice and promotion of graduate attributes

As an early years professional you can make a significant difference to children's lives, working with them at this time of key developmental milestones. As work based practice is a key part of this course you have the potential to earn whilst you learn. You will study with likeminded people across a range of other related professional roles based in your own community.

This University of Worcester award is delivered by the partner institution The Learning Institute. Delivery venues range across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, London and Somerset, (though not on the University of Worcester campus). The running of the degree and of individual groups will be subject to minimum numbers.

The partnership between the University of Worcester and the Learning Institute is well established and has been recently reviewed, resulting in the latest suite of new awards on offer.

This degree matches the Standard for Childhood Practice in Scotland and is designed to develop degree-level professionals and future leaders in the sector. Work-based learning is a major and central feature of the course.

The degree is a part-time programme and modules can be delivered in two ways:

• online and on campus sessions with tutors one evening per week from 6 to 8pm and occasional Saturdays
• a blend of e-learning, using a virtual learning environment, and group instruction (Honours year)

The course structure is divided according to the three main aspects of professional development, as outlined in the Scottish Social Services Council document - The Standard for Childhood Practice (2015).

Our teaching team provides expertise in the design and delivery of the course, ensuring specialist teaching in each module. Individual student support is also available from named members of the team.

Education transforms lives and our Education Studies programme aims to develop great educators, researchers, policy-makers and activists who make other people’s lives better. 

Our programme is multidisciplinary, mainly drawing on psychology, sociology and philosophy. You will explore areas such as social justice, globalisation and philosophy for children in education. In each level, you will build on your knowledge of key national and international educational issues as well as your understanding of essential philosophical questions that underpin education. There is also a good range of other modules that introduce you to other aspects of education such as politics, history, research and practice. A well-qualified academic leads each module and will introduce you to the significant developments in the field.

 We will offer you personalised academic support, a range of placement opportunities (including international study visits), options for additional qualifications, and careers guidance. Each year you will have a personal academic tutor who will help you to identify your academic strengths and build on these.  We offer you international study visits that will allow you to further your understanding of education in global contexts. 

You can also take this programme as a 'sandwich' degree, studied over 4 years.  This includes a Professional Placement Year module, taken in the education sector. The placement year is usually taken after you have completed year two of your degree. During this time, you will be able to apply knowledge gained during your studies in a work environment.

 Above all, we want you to enjoy your course: learning is rewarding and exciting. Seeing the world in new ways and discovering new possibilities that inspires us all.

When you’re at university, you’ll have a mix of lectures, seminars, one-to-one tutorials, practical skills sessions and workshops. In taught sessions, you’ll learn about a variety of strategies to challenge and engage learners, discussing ideas with your peers to help you learn.

Our sessions tend to be balanced between the theoretical and practical, you may participate in hands-on workshops or be asked to present your thinking to others or deliver a ‘mini-teach’ session, where you can plan a small input like you would in a school. This allows you to practise and receive feedback on techniques you’ll use in the classroom.

You’ll spend a minimum of 120 days of your three-year course on placements in a variety of primary schools. Starting placements in your first year of study and over the three years, you’ll gain experience in teaching every key stage across ages 3-11 years, so that you can teach any year group when you graduate.

Our popular BA (Hons) Education & Sociology degree combines the complementary disciplines of education and sociology, with principles of social justice at its core.

On this engaging course you’ll gain a comprehensive knowledge of both disciplines and enhance your understanding of educational theories, policies and practice. You’ll then apply these to educational issues in the past and present.

You’ll learn about the influences on the development of the education system, the curriculum, and learners with disabilities. As well as studying core social theories and research methodologies, you’ll get to explore and debate a wide range of sociological themes.

This degree is perfect if you wish to progress on to teaching but also have an interest in sociology; or if you’re thinking of teaching sociology at secondary school level or above.

Develop the knowledge and skills to make a difference in the lives of children, young people and families. Learn about human development and the impact of a variety of issues which may impact wellbeing. Then study the process of assessment and intervention in order to provide early support when others need help.

You’ll apply your learning on placement and reflect on your experiences to develop your skills as a practitioner for children, young people and families. You’ll examine how an individual grows and develops, as well as the potential factors that might make an impact on them. Within this context, you’ll explore how practitioners engage and communicate with children, young people and families – while maintaining a professional outlook at all times.

Early Childhood Studies with Early Years Practitioner Status (EYPS) offers a holistic approach to understanding children from birth to eight years. It marks the importance of early childhood as a significant period in life which is the basis for a life-long-learning, where children are viewed as capable and competent members of society.

The foundation year gives you an exciting introduction to higher education, exploring the humanities and social sciences before progressing to the full degree programme. It is ideal if you need a little more support after further education or if you are returning to education after a gap.

Students spend 700 hours (approximately 20 weeks) on placement in early childhood settings and are required to display competency in National Occupational Standards set by Social Care Wales. Graduates will qualify with the Early Years Practitioner Status qualification awarded by Social Care Wales.

Learn the skills and get the workplace experience you need to give children their best start in life – whatever their circumstances – on this Childhood and Youth studies degree.

You'll discover how factors such as the education system, youth culture, the Coronavirus pandemic and social media affect children's development. You’ll also have the chance to explore specialist topics such as outdoor education, safeguarding and the role of play in a child’s development.

Develop the knowledge and skills to support children with special educational needs (SEN) and those from a care background, making sure no child misses out on the educational and development opportunities available to them.

After the course, you’ll be set for a career supporting children and their families in areas such as youth work, social care and education.

• Achieve an integrated masters degree and the recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status on this innovative new teaching course
• Undertake varied school placements to develop your professional skills
• Prepare for future leadership roles by gaining problem solving and advanced research skills at masters level
• Choose from a range of curriculum enhancement options to tailor the course to your interests and career ambitions
  • Learn from our passionate and experienced team who are committed to helping you become the best teacher you can be.

Covering topics including child development, education, war, poverty, health, disability, the law, you'll analyse the contemporary experience of children, looking at the latest research, historical documents, children's literature and film, and a range of other sources.

This understanding will open up a range of employment opportunities and provide a foundation to go on and study further training courses including teaching, social work, children's nursing and other related professions.

You will reflect upon current developments in childhood provision, policy and practice both nationally and internationally, and you'll be learning from staff who are contributing to the most important debates in the field.