Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons)

Sheffield Hallam University

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.

Course summary:

• Explore the varied approaches to early childhood education, including issues related to child development, inclusion, the health and culture of children under eight years, and safeguarding.
• Consider the significance and impact of children's friendships, forest schools, participation, gender and identity, inclusive practice, working with families, and young children's wellbeing.
• Look at the importance of play in children's lives and development.
• Study a course with exceptional graduate recruitment rates — 94% of our previous students are now in employment or further study (Graduate outcomes survey 2017/18).

This course enables you to complete the Early Years Educator level 3 qualification which meets the Ofqual national requirements and Graduate Practitioner Competencies through a range of core and elective modules. Elective modules enable you to follow with a Health and Wellbeing pathway or an Environments for Learning pathway. Assessed placements are an integral part of each year. The Graduate Practitioner Competencies are endorsed by the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network at level 6 and are recognised by the Department for Education.

How you learn:

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

Your studies are led by a team of lecturers with extensive and varied professional experience in key services for children and families. Their backgrounds include social work, health visiting, teaching, social care and psychology. They are all involved in research, writing books and leading early years practice.

You will learn through:

• self-managed learning
• group work learning
• lectures
• seminars
• workshops
• work based learning tasks and reflections

Applied learning - Work placements

Work based learning is integrated throughout the course. You can gain experience in a range of settings such as as schools, pre-schools, forest schools, child minders and outreach hubs.

This course prepares you for a career in

• nurseries and pre-schools
• primary schools
• special schools
• further education colleges
• universities
• hospitals
• charities
• community centres
• community organisations
• third sector and private employers

A number of our students go on to study a postgraduate qualification in subjects including social work, education and research. Others progress to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) to qualify as teachers.

All students gaining an Honours degree are guaranteed an interview for a Hallam PGCE course subject to terms and conditions*.

*Candidates for PGCE courses will require GCSE grade C or Grade 4 in English Language and mathematics and science, or equivalent and usually a 2.2 degree or above. Candidates will also need to successfully complete the Professional Skills Tests in numeracy and literacy as designated by the DfE.