Program Overview

Early Childhood Education (Graduate Practitioner) BA (Hons)

Course Overview

The Early Childhood Education (Graduate Practitioner) BA (Hons) course is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of early years education, preparing them for a wide range of careers or for further study to become a teacher. The course gives students a DfE-recognised Graduate Practitioner qualification alongside their degree.

Why Choose the School of Education and English

• The School of Education and English has education courses that scored student satisfaction rates of 90% and over for teaching, learning opportunities, assessment and feedback, academic support, and organisation and management in the NSS 2025.
• The education courses rank in the UK top 20 for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide, 2026) and UK 4th (tied) in their subject field for career prospects and 7th for satisfaction with teaching (Guardian, 2026).

Course Accreditation

The course is accredited by the Department for Education (DfE) and provides students with a Graduate Practitioner qualification.

Facilities and Specialist Equipment

The university offers a range of facilities and specialist equipment, including:

• Forest School for outdoor learning
• Specialist sensory centre for teaching SEND and early years pupils
• Multi-media space for webinars and podcasting
• 80-seat black-box theatre and 260-seat professional theatre
• A wide range of sports facilities, including the Polhill Sports Arena

Career-Powered Links

The university has well-established partnerships with over 500 schools and other associated organisations, providing students with opportunities for work experience and career development.

Student Experience

The Bedford campus is a small, thriving academic community where academic staff get to know students well. Students learn the latest innovative practices in early childhood education and care, with support from a highly experienced academic team. Students participate in practical workshops on campus and in early years settings, and benefit from university-organised placements.

What Will You Study?

Year 1

• Constructions of childhood: Explore how social, economic, technological, and cultural change shape contemporary childhood experience.
• Early child development: Introduction to social, emotional, mental, linguistic, and physical development in young children.
• Early years curriculum studies: Study current legislation and guidance for early years professionals.
• Key concepts in education: Learn core skills for academic success, including research, referencing, and producing balanced, evidence-based work.
• Developing practice in early childhood settings: Put into practice a range of activities that build Graduate Practitioner competencies.

Year 2

• Research methods: Build understanding of research methods, literature reviews, ethical issues in research, and producing a research project.
• Early representations of literacy and numeracy: Study learning and development in very young children with a focus on early literacy and numeracy.
• Inclusive education in the early years: Gain a detailed understanding of issues around inclusion in policy and practice.
• Inclusive practice in early childhood settings: Explore what inclusion looks like in practice and how early years professionals ensure effective inclusive practice.
• Optional units: Developing teaching practice or Education and social justice.

Year 3

• Dissertation: Plan and write an independent research project on a topic of interest relevant to the course.
• Professionalism, leadership, and management in the early years: Explore organisational and people-related aspects of leading a team and working with a mix of professionals.
• International perspectives on early childhood education: Examine international approaches to early years learning and develop an early childhood curriculum.
• Reflecting on quality in early childhood settings: Use learning on placement to explore how to help young children think reflectively and make sense of their world.
• Optional units: Children and young people's wellbeing or Media representations of disability.

Assessment

The course aims to provide a range of assessment methods to support diverse needs. Assessments include exams, essays, case studies, portfolios, presentations, reflections on work-based learning, and a research-based dissertation.

Careers

After graduating, students will be well-placed to enter careers working with young children in community and social care settings, educational welfare, children's centres, or as a senior play worker/co-ordinator/manager. The course can also be a route to further study to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), or progress to a Master's-level course in a related area.

Entry Requirements

• 96 UCAS tariff points, including 80 from at least 3 A-levels or equivalent
• An Enhanced DBS check is required

Fees

UK

The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2026/27 is ｣9,790 per year. Students can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for tuition fees and a maintenance loan to cover living costs.

International

The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is ｣16,900 per year. A range of scholarships is available to support international students.

Scholarships

• Excellence Scholarships: Worth ｣2,500 per year of study over three years
• Achievement Scholarships: Offering ｣500 per year of study
• Other scholarships, bursaries, and financial support packages are available.