BA(Hons) in Early Childhood

This course provides an excellent foundation for careers with children, or for further study.

Why study early childhood?

Recent research has established the importance and quality of learning from birth.

Now is a really important time to consider how children explore their world.

This degree in early childhood considers ideas that are central for children's lives and their education, as well as the wider business world. This means graduates in early childhood are sought after for a wide range of employment opportunities.

Why UWE Bristol?

BA(Hons) Early Childhood is an intellectually demanding and enjoyable course.

You'll examine issues around children's place in society, education, special educational needs, children's learning and development, language and reasoning and environments for children.

Exploring issues affecting children between birth and eight years old, you'll link theory to practice, and understand social, psychological and philosophical factors in children's lives, learning and development.

Undertaking work-related experience is a central aspect of the degree. You'll spend time in early childhood settings in each year of the course.

Develop key communication, interpersonal and critical thinking skills, including learning to work effectively with others, organise information and ideas, and present your ideas clearly and confidently. Develop research skills. Learn to reflect on your own and others' practice.

By the end of the course, you'll be qualified to work at level 3 in an early years setting (subject to holding suitable level 2 literacy and numeracy qualifications).

Where can it take me?

Focusing on the areas that most interest you, through your modules and assessments, you'll graduate in a confident position for your career.

You'll be equipped to work at the managerial level in childcare and educational settings, children's services and family support.

Many students study for early years or primary postgraduate teaching qualification, or for a master's degree in social work, psychology, play therapy or speech and language therapy.

This degree meets the government requirements to be classed as a full and relevant level 3 qualification, meaning graduates can be counted in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) staff: child ratios at level 3.

At UWE Bristol we empower you to make a choice. To choose a university that challenges itself as much as you. To choose a passion that gives you purpose. To choose a community that leads the way, encouraging you to question everything, and to become the best you can be.

Change the world

At UWE Bristol, we’re focused on solving future global challenges through outstanding learning, world-leading research and a culture of enterprise.

Here, we empower our students to make a choice. To choose a university that pushes itself as much as it pushes them. To choose a community of original thinkers - breaking new boundaries and leading the way.

From our enterprise support programmes to industry masterclasses. Professional mentoring to business incubators. World-leading research facilities to work experience opportunities across the globe. We give our students the tools they need to act on their ideas and make them happen.

Each of our pioneering courses has been created in partnership with industry professionals. And over 150 come with professional accreditation from industry bodies. Coupled with world-class teaching, they’re designed to equip students with the most in-demand skills, and the kind of mindset that employers want and need. So that when you graduate from UWE Bristol, you’re ready to take on the world.

Our mindset

We believe that it’s only when you ask 'what if?' that you discover 'why not?'. That’s why we’re not afraid to ask difficult questions – and tackle the big issues head-on. It’s our way of continuing to make a real difference in the way we learn, analyse and contribute to the world we live in.

Our values

Ambitious

We’re not afraid to shape, challenge and tackle the big issues, to take the initiative and pave the way.

Inclusive

We make UWE Bristol a supportive and inspiring place to learn and work – somewhere where diversity of experience and perspective is encouraged, and learning and research are shared and accessible.

Innovative

We create new opportunities for the people who work and study with us. We embrace different ideas and pioneer new and sustainable ways of doing things.

Collaborative

We have strong connections locally and globally. We help people and organisations be the best they can, building trust throughout our university community and beyond.

Enterprising

We instil a thirst for new knowledge, its creation and application, empowering our students and staff to demonstrate a creative questioning approach, a 'can-do' confidence, and the ability to navigate uncertainty.