BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Foundation

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Plymouth

Program Overview

This four-year degree begins with a foundation year designed for students who may be returning to education, changing study paths, or need extra preparation before starting university-level work. The program builds your understanding of how young children learn and develop, setting you up for success in the full Early Childhood Studies degree.

Curriculum Structure

Foundation Year (Year 0):
In your foundation year, you’ll develop essential academic and study skills while exploring the basics of child development and education. You’ll take modules such as Questioning Education, Children and Stories, Independent Enquiry, and Studying Learning and Learning to Study. This year helps you build confidence, refine your critical thinking, and prepare for specialist degree-level study in early childhood.

Year 1:
Your first degree year introduces key concepts in early childhood education. Modules like Understanding Development: Biology and Psychology, Children in Society, Politics for Equality, Places and Spaces for Learning and Playing, and Multi-Professional Perspectives explore how children grow, play, and interact in diverse environments. You’ll begin to understand how policies, families, and communities influence childhood.

Year 2:
The second year focuses on deepening your knowledge and practical experience. Core modules include Developing Communication in the Early Years, Work-Based Learning in a Setting with Young Children and/or Families, and Perspectives on Child Development. You’ll connect theory with practice, explore inclusive approaches, and gain hands-on experience through placements in early years or family settings.

Year 3:
In your final year, you’ll strengthen your independent research and leadership skills. You’ll study modules such as Adults’ Concepts of Childhood: Their Impact on the Past and Present Treatment of Children, Enabling Environments for Young Children’s Learning, and complete a Research Dissertation on a topic that inspires you. This final year encourages reflection, innovation, and professional growth.

Focus areas:
Early childhood development, play-based learning, inclusive education, family and community partnerships, early years research, and professional practice.

Learning outcomes:
Students graduate with the ability to evaluate how social, cultural, and psychological factors shape children’s learning, design and support effective early years environments, conduct independent research, and work collaboratively with families and professionals in education and care.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This course offers strong preparation for early years and education roles but does not include Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). It provides a solid foundation for postgraduate training in teaching, social work, early years leadership, or educational psychology.

Reputation (employability rankings):
The University of Plymouth ranks among the UK’s top universities for Childhood and Youth Studies, with high student satisfaction and excellent graduate employability. Most graduates progress quickly into work or further study in education, community, or children’s services.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Foundation at the University of Plymouth is the perfect pathway for students who are passionate about working with children but want extra time to build academic confidence before beginning degree-level study. The foundation year helps you develop strong research, writing, and reflective skills, while introducing key topics in child development and education. As you progress into the main degree, you’ll gain extensive hands-on experience through placements, workshops, and practical projects that prepare you for a rewarding career in early years or educational settings.

Here’s how you’ll gain practical, real-world experience throughout your studies:

Foundation year modules that blend academic skill-building with an introduction to childhood development, play, and education, ensuring a smooth transition into university-level study.
Professional placements throughout the main degree in nurseries, schools, and community organisations, giving you direct experience with children and families.
Access to specialist early years facilities on campus, including observation rooms, interactive learning spaces, and digital tools used in early childhood education.
Practical workshops and group projects where you’ll design learning activities, evaluate developmental approaches, and explore inclusive teaching strategies.
A strong focus on reflective and professional practice, helping you link theory with what you observe and experience during placements.
Opportunities to conduct your own research project in your final year, investigating a real issue within early childhood education or care.
Close partnerships with local schools, nurseries, and family centres, providing valuable opportunities to build professional networks and references.
Full access to university learning resources such as the Charles Seale-Hayne Library and student support teams, ensuring you have everything you need to succeed academically and professionally.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this four-year pathway begin with a foundation year that builds essential academic and professional skills before progressing into the full BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree. This course prepares you for a wide range of careers working with young children, families, and community organisations. Typical job roles include:

Early Years Educator or Nursery Practitioner
Family Support Worker or Child Development Officer
Early Years Coordinator or Curriculum Leader
Community Outreach or Inclusion Support Worker

Here’s how the University of Plymouth helps you achieve your goals:

Career Support: The University offers dedicated employability guidance and tailored support for foundation-year students, helping you build confidence in both academic and professional development. You’ll benefit from personalised career advice, placement opportunities, and mentoring throughout your degree.
Employment Outcomes and Salary Figures: Around 90% of graduates from early childhood and related courses at Plymouth are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. Early career salaries for roles in education and childcare typically range from £20,000 to £30,000, depending on the setting and experience.
University–Industry Partnerships: The course includes valuable work-based learning modules in early years settings, children’s centres, and community organisations. These partnerships give you real-world experience, a professional network, and insight into diverse areas of child development and family support.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: By completing the foundation year, you’ll gain academic readiness and practical experience that lead seamlessly into the full honours degree. The qualification provides a broad understanding of early childhood, education, and social policy—skills that are highly regarded across education, health, and community sectors.
Graduate Outcomes: You’ll graduate as a confident, reflective professional ready to work with young children and families, or move into roles promoting inclusion, wellbeing, and educational development. Many graduates use this degree as a stepping stone to leadership or specialist practitioner positions.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, you can progress to a Master’s in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Educational Leadership, or Family Studies. You may also choose to undertake a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) if you wish to qualify as a primary school teacher. Alternatively, research-based degrees such as an MRes or PhD in Early Childhood Studies can open pathways into academic, policy-making, or consultancy careers within the early education sector.