Program Overview

Education (Early Childhood Studies) MA

The Education (Early Childhood Studies) MA is designed for individuals looking to develop their career within the specialist field of early childhood education (0-7 years). This course reflects on a range of international attitudes to early childhood education, considering the relationship between theoretical perspectives and aspects of practice in early childhood education.

Why Education (Early Childhood Studies)?

• In this course, you will reflect on a range of international attitudes to early childhood education.
• You will also consider the relationship between theoretical perspectives and aspects of practice in early childhood education.
• The course combines knowledge about practical aspects of the early years curriculum with the opportunity to bring a theoretical understanding to help deepen and challenge your thinking.
• You will have the opportunity to focus on current issues faced by early years professionals and study early childhood education in international contexts.
• Themes include children’s rights, sociology of childhood, psychological perspectives on childhood, and international approaches to early years education.

Key Information

Entry Requirements

• You should have an honours degree in a relevant subject at 2:2 or above, or a professional equivalent.
• The University will determine whether a degree can be recognised as UK equivalent.
• If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent.

Start Dates

• 22 September 2025
• 12 January 2026
• 18 May 2026

Duration

• 1 year full-time
• 2 years part-time (September only)

Course Detail

You will study the following modules:

• Core modules:
  • International Approaches to Early Childhood Education
  • Methods of Enquiry
  • Dissertation (Early Childhood Studies)
• Option modules: Choose two from a list which may include:
  • Exploring Teaching and Learning
  • Developing Effective Leadership
  • Special Educational Needs and Disability: Evaluating Policy and Practice
  • Managing Learning and Development in Organisations
  • Understanding Curriculum Development in Primary and Early Primary Education
  • Mentoring and Coaching
  • Understanding Autism
  • Children, Childhood and Society

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - Full-Time

• In 2025/26, the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate students on this course will be £7,900 (Band 1).
• Tuition fees for UK students will cover the cost of your study at the University.

Tuition Fees - Part-Time

• In 2025/26, the part-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate students on this course will be £660 (Band 1) per 15 credit module and £1,320 (Band 1) per 30 credit module.
• Tuition fees for UK students will cover the cost of your study at the University.

Career Support

Previous graduates from courses in this subject area have gone on to work in a variety of roles such as Community Education Officer, Learning Mentor, Education Consultant, Family Support Worker, Education Mental Health Practitioner, and Teaching Assistant.

Research Excellence

The University of Huddersfield is in the top 50 UK universities for Research Power, with three-quarters of all research being world-leading and internationally excellent. The University’s researchers carry out work that makes a real difference to people's lives, and the course is designed to reflect current best practice and research-led teaching.

Further Study

Upon successful completion of your postgraduate studies, progression onto the following programmes may be of interest:

• Education EdD, Doctor of
• Education (PhD)

These programmes provide a supportive and stimulating environment for researchers who come from a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds, allowing you to explore your area of interest in an inspiring, passionate, and committed research community.