EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES BA (Hons) at University of Portsmouth

The next generation needs people with an understanding and vision of what future care and education looks like. If you want to make a difference in the lives of young people, and shape the conversation and strategies around early years development, this course will meet your ambitions.

On this BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree course, you’ll explore the theory and lives of children from birth to 8 years old. You'll develop the skills, knowledge and experience to become a confident early years practitioner and prepare yourself to take on roles in areas such as education, social care and health.

You can also tailor your studies to include the Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) award. This doesn't give you Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), but it does mean you can become a fully qualified teacher with specialised training for children birth to five years. Following your studies, you could go on to do a PGCE and gain QTS if you wish.

You'll be able to achieve Graduate Practitioner status for Early Years Practice by undertaking assessed practice in early years in each year of study, leading to the award BA Hons Early Childhood Studies (Graduate Practitioner). You may opt out of this in year 3.

This degree enables all graduates to achieve Graduate Practitioner status for Early Years Practice. You'll gain this qualification through an assessment of your early years practice in each year of study. If you're successful, you'll be awarded BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Graduate Practitioner). Students may opt out of this route in year 3 if they wish. (Please note, this route is not open to students studying Early Childhood Studies with Psychology.)

Optional pathway

You can follow an optional psychology pathway through this degree. You'll get to choose units in psychology, which will lead to BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Psychology award when you graduate.

Careers and opportunities

When you complete the course, you’ll be prepared to take on roles in education, social care and health related areas. You could also continue your studies at postgraduate level.

What can you do with an Early Childhood Studies degree?

Our previous students have gone on to roles in:

• early years teaching and training
• nursery practice
• play work
• family support services
• management in early years
• healthcare and health promotion
• social work
• the voluntary sector
• environments that support children and young people with special educational needs and disability

What jobs can you do with an Early Childhood Studies degree?

Roles our graduates have gone on to include:

• training assessor
• teacher
• employability coordinator
• careers advisor
• schools liaison officer

You'll get help and support in finding a job and planning your career from our Careers and Employability service throughout your studies and for up to 5 years after you leave the University.