Program Overview

Early Childhood Education and Care BA(Hons)

The Early Childhood Education and Care BA(Hons) course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of child development and early education. This program focuses on the importance of the early years in a child's life, exploring key issues that impact children's lives, including child development, holistic and reflective practice, education and care, health and wellbeing, safeguarding, and the impact of society on children's learning and welfare.

Overview

• The course is designed to give students a grounding in child development and early education, with an emphasis on work-based practice.
• Students will explore key issues that impact children's lives, including child development, holistic and reflective practice, education and care, health and wellbeing, safeguarding, and the impact of society on children's learning and welfare.
• The program includes work placements, which provide students with the opportunity to gain real, practical experience in a professional environment.

Entry Requirements

• A Level: BBC-BCC
• BTEC: DMM-MMM
• 112-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications
• Merit in T Level
• DMM-MMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma, DD BTEC National Diploma or CACHE Diploma grade B relevant to working with children
• Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above
• 112-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications
• GCSE English Language at grade 4 or above (or equivalent)
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and health clearances

Course Detail

• Year 1:
  • Theories and Strategies for Learning
  • Perspectives in Learning and Development
  • Professional Practice 1
  • Contemporary Childhoods
• Year 2:
  • Safeguarding Children and Young People
  • Professional Practice 2
  • Developing Language and Communication for Learning
  • Autism, Neurodiversity and Inclusion
• Year 3:
  • Finding a Voice (Children and Young People)
  • Planning Your Final Year Project
  • Final Year Project
• Option modules:
  • Supporting Social, Emotional and Mental Health in Education
  • Critical Approaches to Inclusive Education

Placements

• Students will complete 240 hours of placement in Year 1 and 216 hours in Year 2, totaling 456 hours of compulsory placements across various educational settings.
• Placements may be based in areas some distance from the point of study, and students should be aware of potential associated traveling costs.

Fees and Finance

• The maximum fees for UK-based students on undergraduate courses in 2025/26 will be £9,535 per year for full-time students (subject to parliamentary approval).
• Additional costs:
  • Traveling costs for placements
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (arranged by the University, with a possible charge)

Career Support

• The course enables students to consider a varied range of careers, including early years practice, teaching assistant, teaching, social work, family support, educational pastoral support, SEN teacher, SEN support, training consultant, early years marketing, speech and language assistant, health visitor assistant, nanny, childminder, and more.
• Some career options may require further study at the postgraduate level.

Research Excellence

• The University of Huddersfield is recognized for its research excellence, with three-quarters of its research being world-leading and internationally excellent.
• The University's researchers carry out work that makes a real difference to people's lives, and students have the opportunity to be part of this research community.

Student Support

• The University of Huddersfield provides a range of support services to help students succeed, including academic support, career guidance, and personal support.
• Students can access these services to help them navigate their student journey and achieve their goals.