BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Canterbury Christ Church University

Program Overview

This degree invites students to explore the full sweep of early childhood — from pre-birth and infancy through to around age eight — examining how children grow, learn and develop in a range of contexts. It’s ideal for someone passionate about supporting young children, advocating for their rights, and working in early years settings, family support, community or policy roles.

Curriculum structure
Year 1
In the first year students build a solid grounding in child development, the contexts that influence early years and the professional frameworks in which early childhood work takes place. For example, modules such as “Children; Active, Playful, Thinkers” and “Exploring Research: Methods, Methodologies and Implications for Practice” help them begin to adopt a critical lens on how children grow and how professionals support that growth.
Year 2
In year two the student deepens their understanding of diversity, identity, the role of digital technologies and other contemporary issues affecting young children. Modules such as “Diverse Childhoods: Identities, Communities and Power” and “Digital Identities, Technology and the Media in Childhood” allow critique of how society, culture and technology shape early childhood experiences.
Year 3
In the final year students synthesise their prior learning and apply it to professional-oriented contexts, preparing for graduate roles. This includes a substantial piece of independent research or project work, optional modules aligned with personal interests, and the creation of an e-portfolio that demonstrates their skills, knowledge and experience ready for employment or further study.

Focus areas: “Early childhood development (0-8 yrs); play, learning and pedagogy in early years; diversity, culture & technology in childhood; research methods in early childhood studies.”
Learning outcomes: “Graduates will be able to analyse how children develop and learn in a variety of settings, apply interdisciplinary theory (psychology, sociology, education, health) to early years practice, design and conduct research projects in early childhood contexts, and advocate for children’s rights and inclusive practice.”
Professional alignment (accreditation): While this is not a Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) route, the programme emphasises practice-based experiences and constructs an e-portfolio aligned with national early childhood studies benchmarks — setting students up for roles in early years settings, policy, community or postgraduate study.
Reputation (employability rankings): According to the data for CCCU’s Early Childhood Studies course, 100% of students were in jobs or further study 15 months after finishing the programme (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022).

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies programme gain real‑world skills, using excellent facilities and immersive opportunities.

On this degree, students explore early childhood from infancy up to around eight years old, considering not just educational perspectives but also psychological, sociological, health, legal and developmental ones. They engage in practice‑based experiences, build an e‑portfolio of their work, and combine academic study with hands‑on observational and applied learning. The campus’s library and learning‑technology infrastructure support research, data‑analysis and reflection.

Here are some of the key experiential learning elements you’ll encounter:

Practice‑based experiences in early years settings (for example nurseries, children’s centres, schools) where you observe and engage with professionals working with children aged 0‑8.
Creation of a digital e‑portfolio over the course of the three years to document your skills, reflections, placements and research – useful for employment or postgraduate study.
Modules addressing current early‑childhood issues such as digital technologies in childhood, diverse childhoods, play, research methods and policy — giving you insights into the real factors shaping children’s lives today.
Opportunities to develop research skills: you’ll learn to design, conduct and report your own empirical project under supervision, which strengthens your analytical and professional competencies.
Access to CCCU’s campus facilities including the Augustine House library, digital learning platforms (for example virtual modules, seminars), and support services for academic and professional development.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of this programme are prepared for roles such as early years educator / lead practitioner (ages 0‑8), early years policy or development officer, family support coordinator in community services, or learning and development officer in childcare settings. These kinds of jobs reflect the strong grounding in child development, pedagogy, and cross‑sector understandings of childhood.

More specifically:

University services supporting employment: The university’s Employability Hub offers career advice, placement search support, and one‑to‑one guidance. Also, within the Early Childhood Studies programme you build a professional e‑portfolio and engage in practice‑based experiences which help you present real evidence of your skills.
Employment statistics & salary figures: On this course, about 95 % of students (in related Childhood & Youth courses) are in work or further study 15 months after graduation. Median salary for graduates in related early childhood/childhood studies from the university: around £21,000 at 15 months, rising to £28,000 at five years.
University–industry/sector partnerships: The programme emphasises practice‑based learning in early years settings, community services, and schools, meaning you gain real‑world experience and have links into the early years sector.
Long‑term accreditation/value: While not a QTS route, this degree builds strong foundations in early childhood development, policy, and practice, making it valuable for roles in the UK and globally where early years expertise is sought. As the university reports, it's among the institutions ranked Top 10 in the UK for graduates in employment (for those with 3,000+ graduates).
Graduation outcomes: On this course, about 70 % of graduates said their job is in line with their future plans, about 85 % said they’re utilising what they studied, and about 90 % say their work is meaningful.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies, you could go on to postgraduate study — for example a Master’s in Early Childhood Studies or Early Years Leadership, a PGCert/PGDip in Child Development, Inclusion or Family Support, or even a Doctorate (EdD/PhD) in early childhood education research if you’re drawn to policy or academic work. You could also combine this degree with a PGCE or equivalent teacher training if later you wish to move into teaching roles.