BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Hertfordshire

Program Overview

This three-year degree focuses on understanding and supporting young children’s learning, development, and wellbeing from birth to around age seven. It’s ideal for students who are passionate about early years education and want to make a meaningful difference in children’s lives through professional, research-based, and hands-on experience.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
In your first year, you’ll explore the foundations of early childhood education and child development. Core modules include Promoting Children’s Wellbeing in the 21st Century, The Child’s World: Family, Culture and Community, and Education in a Digital Age. You’ll also complete your first professional placement in an early years setting, allowing you to observe and engage with young learners while connecting theory to real-world practice.

Year 2:
Your second year builds your professional identity and deepens your understanding of inclusive practice. You’ll study Developing Identity, Values and Voice in Practice, Empowering Children, and Celebrating Difference: Inclusion and Diversity in Early Childhood Practice. This stage focuses on understanding how to meet the needs of every child while exploring the impact of family, society, and culture on early learning. You’ll also gain more experience through extended placements in early childhood environments.

Year 3:
In your final year, you’ll bring together your knowledge, skills, and practical experience. Modules include Working Together for Children in Professional Partnerships and Living My Professional Values: Becoming an Advocate for Children. You’ll also complete an independent Research or Practice-Based Project, giving you the chance to investigate an area of early childhood education that interests you most. This year prepares you to become a confident, reflective, and professional early years practitioner.

Focus areas:
Early childhood development · Inclusion and diversity · Family, culture, and community · Child wellbeing · Research and professional practice · Advocacy for children

Learning outcomes:
You’ll graduate able to support and evaluate young children’s learning and development, create inclusive and engaging learning environments, work collaboratively with families and professionals, and carry out independent research within early years education.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The degree is recognised on the UK’s Early Years Qualification List (EYQL), meaning graduates are considered Level 6 practitioners in early years education. This recognition qualifies you for professional roles in nurseries, preschools, and other early childhood settings.

Reputation (employability rankings):
The University of Hertfordshire is known for its excellent teaching quality and strong focus on professional practice. This course has achieved high student satisfaction and strong graduate employability, with many students progressing into roles in early childhood education, family support, and leadership positions in early years settings.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Hertfordshire, the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education course gives you the perfect balance of academic knowledge and practical experience. From day one, you’ll explore how young children learn and develop — not just through lectures, but by working directly in early years environments. The course combines placements, simulated classroom activities, and research projects to help you understand how to support children, families, and communities in real-world settings.

Here’s how experiential learning is built into the course:

Professional placements each year: You’ll spend around 80 days in early years settings such as nurseries, preschools, and primary schools, gaining hands-on experience with children from birth to eight years old.
Simulated early years classroom: The university has a dedicated early childhood base room that mirrors a real early years classroom, allowing you to practice teaching and interaction techniques before applying them in placements.
Practice-based modules: Courses like Observing Practice and Supporting Children’s Learning are designed to help you apply educational theory directly in early years environments.
Independent research and project work: In your final year, you’ll carry out a research project focused on a key issue in early childhood education, linking practical experience with academic study.
Collaborative and reflective learning: You’ll work in groups, share ideas, and develop reflective journals that enhance your understanding of professional practice.
Modern facilities and digital tools: Students benefit from access to the university’s Learning Resources Centre, e-learning platforms, and digital databases to support their research and teaching preparation.

This course ensures that by the time you graduate, you’ll have both the confidence and competence to work effectively in early years education — equipped with the real skills employers look for.

Progression & Future Opportunities

If you’re passionate about shaping young minds and supporting children’s development from their earliest years, the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education at the University of Hertfordshire offers a rewarding and hands-on route into the education sector. This degree focuses on how children learn and grow, blending theory with real-world practice. Graduates often move into roles such as early years educator, nursery or preschool manager, family support worker, or early years development officer.

Progression & Future Opportunities:

University services: The University of Hertfordshire provides excellent academic and career support through its Herts Careers and Employment Service, helping students with placements, networking, and professional skill-building. You’ll also have access to personal tutors and employability workshops throughout your studies.
Employment stats and salary figures: Around 95% of graduates from education and teaching-related programmes at Hertfordshire are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average graduate salary typically ranges from £24,000 to £28,000, depending on the role.
University–industry partnerships: The course includes significant placement experience—around 80 days across three years—allowing students to gain practical insights in nurseries, schools, and children’s centres, and build valuable professional connections before graduating.
Long-term accreditation value: This degree is recognised as ‘full and relevant’ under the UK Department for Education’s Early Years Qualification framework, giving graduates strong professional credibility and access to leadership opportunities in the early years sector.
Graduation outcomes: Upon completion, you’ll have the skills and experience needed to work effectively in early years settings, education centres, and family support services, or progress into teaching and policy roles focused on childhood development.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing your BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education, you can progress to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) to qualify as an early years or primary teacher, or pursue a Master’s in Early Childhood Leadership, Inclusive Education, or Childhood Studies. These pathways open doors to senior roles such as early years leader, policy advisor, or educational researcher.