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Two children playing outside at nursery

Early Childhood Practice BA(Hons)

  • Intro
  • Course
    content
  • Careers
  • Entry
    criteria
  • Fees
  • Location
  • Stay in
    touch
  • Related

Intro

This course is for early childhood professionals who wish to build on their skills and knowledge, improve their competence and confidence, and progress their careers.

The course will supplement your work with babies, toddlers and young children (from birth to five years) in private, voluntary, independent and maintained settings. It provides you with the opportunity to:

  • study while you work, bringing together practice, theory, current research and policy, supporting you in advancing your career as you work towards a professionally recognised qualification
  • set out your chosen pathway to professional development alongside other committed professionals.

Once completed the Early Childhood Practice degree meets the Department for Education criteria for a full and relevant qualification for the purposes of registration and regulation in an Early Years Setting. The course content meets the QAA benchmark statements for Early Childhood Studies, and contains significant elements of assessed performance. The course provides an excellent foundation for further professional and academic development towards Teacher Status (both Early Years and QTS).

Key facts

Location Brighton: Falmer

UCAS code Not applicable. Apply direct to the university.

Part-time 4 years

Our next open day for this course will take place in the summer. Register your interest now and we will let you know when you can book your place.

Register your interest

Apply online

Please make sure that you meet the entry requirements before applying. If you have any questions the course team will be happy to help.

Apply now for your place

Course content

Course structure

Our Early Childhood Practice BA(Hons) is a four year part-time work-based programme.

The modular design of the programme enables you to reflect on your professional experience, to increase your awareness of current issues and practices and to develop your academic and research skills:

Typically you will:

  • study for approximately one day a week (although not always face-to-face at university) through various methods such as small group seminars, participatory workshops and on-line learning experiences as well as attend lectures led by experienced practitioners, tutors and researchers. University attendance equates to approximately two full days a month
  • undertake a series of ongoing structured work-related tasks supported by an individual work- based mentor
  • complete module assessment tasks
  • be supported in your individual learning and career progression throughout
  • visit other settings and complementary learning environments
  • conclude your studies with an individual extended professional enquiry of your own choosing.

It may be possible to finish your studies earlier than the normal full four years and be awarded a Diploma in Higher Education or a non-honours degree.

children at nursery

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through our applicant portal.

Year 1

Modules

  • The Practitioner as Learner
  • Children and Young People's Learning and Development
  • Understanding Barriers to Learning
  • Informal Learning and Alternative Learning Strategies
  • Professional Reflective Practice In Learning and Development
primary education students

Year 2

Modules

  • Communication, Language and Literacy Development
  • Assessing Children's Achievements
  • Families in Communities: The Role of the Setting
  • Safeguarding and Promoting Welfare and Wellbeing
  • Further Professional Reflective Practice in Learning and Development
children at nursery

Year 3

Modules

  • Equality and Inclusion
  • The Positive Learning Environment
  • Foundations for the Future
  • Organisational Culture and Leadership in Children and Young People's Services
  • An Introduction to Critical Perspectives in Education, Learning and Development
children at nursery

Final year

Modules

  • Practitioners as Researchers
  • The Professional Enquiry: Education, Learning and Development
student in classroom

Staff profile 

Annie Richardson, Course Leader 

Annie is a senior lecturer and teaches on a range of undergraduate courses which focus on early childhood education and care (ECEC).

Annie's research and teaching build on her professional experiences in early childhood education and care contexts. This includes working in daycare private and voluntary early years settings; in a service supporting children with complex special educational needs and disabilities; and in advisory and training roles for a local authority.

She has a particular interest in child development particularly the development of relationships in early childhood settings and the discourses which shape those relationships. She is an advocate of working in partnership with parents as well as the professional development of those working in early years settings.

Annie Richardson

Careers

There are a number of options for careers in the early childhood specialty in private, voluntary and maintained settings following the Early Childhood Practice BA(Hons).

On graduation, you will be well-placed for career advancement, with a professionally recognised qualification giving you a competitive edge.

There are also options for further study on the Early Years Education PGCert with EYTS, the Primary Education PGCE (PROFGCE) and the Primary Education (3–7 years) PGCE (PROFGCE) providing you meet any additional entry requirements. 

children at nursery

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2019. They should be used as a general guide. 

Applicants whose predicted A-level, or equivalent, grades fall below these requirements, but who can demonstrate a high commitment to the subject discipline or have relevant work experience, are still encouraged to apply and will be considered on an individual basis.

To be considered for a place you should normally:

  • be currently working (paid or unpaid) with children from 0-5 years, at least two days per week (or equivalent) and to have been working with children for at least one year;
  • have an appropriate A-level, have already undertaken initial training at Level 3 in working with children OR have an advanced modern apprenticeship in an appropriate subject;
  • have agreement from your employer to support mentoring, assessment and workplace course activities;
  • provide evidence of a valid DBS check at time of entry onto the programme; and
  • have appropriate access to a computer and internet.

 

It is important to note that from September 2014 qualifications that are full and relevant for the purposes of the ratios at level 3 must meet Department for Education requirements. Staff must have at least a Level 2 numeracy and literacy qualification to practice as a level 3 practitioner. Applicants may be invited for interview.

English language requirements
Applicants with a language other than English as their first language must have proven competence in written and spoken English and will be required to have an IELTS average score of at least 6.0 or equivalent, and a minimum of 5.5 in all elements.

International requirements

International requirements by country
 
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language institute

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Fees

Fees

Year 1 (100 credits) 6,935 GBP

Year 2 (100 credits)  6,935 GBP

Year 3 (100 credits) 6,935 GBP

Year 4 (60 credits) 4,625 GBP

 

Concerned about university fees?

You do not need to pay tuition fees upfront. If you are a UK or EU undergraduate student studying for the first time, you can apply for funding from the government to cover these. Once you leave university, you will only repay the loan if you earn above a certain amount. You may also be eligible for a maintenance loan for living costs. Find out more about student finance for part-time students.

Money Saving Expert take you through the system and explain what you’ll really pay to study as a part-time student.

Info

The fees listed here are for courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

Where UK/EU students are subject to regulated fees, the annual fee increase cannot exceed the UK government’s maximum regulated tuition fee limit set for the relevant year. For all other students, ie those not subject to regulated fees, tuition fees are subject to a maximum annual increase of the higher of 5% or RPI.

Part-time students should contact fees@brighton.ac.uk for specific advice about their fees, you can also visit our advice for part-time students page.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply, contact us using the details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

Location

Location

About Brighton

The University of Brighton is at the heart of our city's reputation as a welcoming, forward-thinking place which leads the way when it comes to the arts, music, sustainability and creative technology. Brighton is home to a thriving creative community and a digital sector worth £1bn a year to the local economy, as much as tourism.

Many of the work-based learning opportunities offered on our courses such as placements and guest lectures are provided by businesses and organisations based in the city.

You can also get involved with city festivals and events such as the Brighton Festival, the Fringe, Brighton Digital Festival, Brighton Science Festival, the London to Brighton bike ride, and the Great Escape festival of new music to name but a few. Other annual highlights include Pride, the Brighton Marathon, and Burning the Clocks which marks the winter solstice.

You'll find living in Brighton enriches your learning experience and by the end of your course you will still be finding new things to explore and inspire you.

Brighton North Laine
Brighton Beach sunset

Campus where this course is taught

Falmer campus

Set in the South Downs, our Falmer campus is around four miles from Brighton city centre. 7,000 students are based here taking subjects including criminology, English, education, nursing and medicine, paramedic science, psychology and sociology. Brighton and Hove Albion's Amex stadium and beautiful Stanmer Park are right next door.

Specialist learning facilities at Falmer include the curriculum centre used by teaching and education students, which houses over 30,000 teaching resources and clinical skills and simulation suites used by health students. Psychology students learn in our applied cognition and flexible creative method labs.

Falmer campus has two halls of residence on site, as well as a library, restaurant, cafes, and a students' union shop and bar.

The campus sports centre has a fitness suite, activity studios and a sports hall. There is also a floodlit astroturf football pitch, netball and tennis courts.

Cycle lanes link Falmer with our other campuses and the city centre and there is a BTN BikeShare hub on site. There are regular bus services to the city centre and other campuses. Falmer train station is right next to campus and a nine minute journey to central Brighton.

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Newly refurbished atrium in the Checkland Building

Accommodation

Brighton: Falmer

All eligible 2019-entry students are guaranteed an offer of university-managed accommodation.

Halls of residence
We have halls of residence across Brighton in Grand Parade, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

  • You'll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
  • Falmer campus is linked to the halls on Falmer campus and at Varley Park.
    • Paddock Field and Great Wilkins halls are on Falmer campus and offer a range of room types and catering options
    • Varley Park offers a mix of room and catering options. Varley Park is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre. Public transport in the city is excellent, and there's a shuttle bus between our Brighton campuses during term time.
    • Find out more about our halls at Falmer and Varley Park.

Unihomes and unilets
Unihomes and unilets are student houses that we let to our students on behalf of private landlords. This option can work particularly well when you're balancing learning with placements and other commitments. We have unihomes and unilet properties across the city.

Find out more about our accommodation and confirm your eligibility.

Private renting
There's plenty of support if you opt for private rented accommodation. This is an option which offers choice and flexibility – enabling you to choose where you live and who with. We manage our own studenthomes database of properties. This lists accommodation offered by landlords who have signed up to our code of standards. Every summer we provide online events and resources, as well as other advice services, for students looking for a place to live and people to share with.

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Students dining at Westlain

Students dining at Westlain

Maps

house Accommodation
campus University building

Falmer campus

Student views  

Hannah Edwards

"I have always been very passionate about working with and supporting children, and chose this course to help accomplish my goals on the recommendation of my manager.

"I love studying at the university and the placements during the course have enabled me to put theory into practice.

"It’s great being able to see the children benefit from my input, and although the workload can be demanding, the end result is rewarding and makes everything worthwhile.

"I recommend this course to anyone looking to go into further learning and hope my passion for this subject encourages others."

Hannah-Edwards

Stay in touch

Stay up to date

Sign up for advice about open days, new courses and opportunities in this subject area.

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Our next open day for this course will take place in the summer. Register your interest now and we will let you know when you can book your place.

Register your interest

School of Education
01273 643313
schoolofeducation@brighton.ac.uk

Statistics

These charts give an indication of how much time you will spend on different activities at each level of the course, and an indication of the balance of assessment by coursework, and written and practical exams. For courses with option modules, actual proportions will depend on the modules you choose.

Find out more about how the academic year and degree courses are organised, and about learning and assessment activities you might get to grips with at Brighton. More specific information about this course is detailed in the programme specification (linked above). You can find out also about the range of support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Overall workload

Assessments

Unistats and key information sets

Unistats enable you to compare information when choosing a UK university course. All UK universities publish Unistats data on their website.

Programme specification

The programme specification is the approved description of each course. They are updated following course changes, and give a detailed breakdown of the content and structure of the course.

Programme specification

Related 11 courses

  • Youth Work BA(Hons)

    Youth Work BA(Hons)

  • Professional Studies in Learning and Development BA(Hons)

    Professional Studies in Learning and Development BA(Hons)

  • Education BA(Hons)

    Education BA(Hons)

  • Early Childhood Education and Care BA(Hons)

    Early Childhood Education and Care BA(Hons)

  • Primary Education (5-11 years) BA(Hons) with QTS

    Primary Education (5-11 years) BA(Hons) with QTS

  • Physical Education BA(Hons) with QTS

    Physical Education BA(Hons) with QTS

  • Primary English Education BA(Hons) with QTS

    Primary English Education BA(Hons) with QTS

  • Secondary Mathematics Education (11-18 years) BSc(Hons) with QTS

    Secondary Mathematics Education (11-18 years) BSc(Hons) with QTS

  • Physical Education BA(Hons)

    Physical Education BA(Hons)

  • Primary Education (3-7 years) BA(Hons) with QTS

    Primary Education (3-7 years) BA(Hons) with QTS

  • Primary Mathematics Education BA(Hons) with QTS

    Primary Mathematics Education BA(Hons) with QTS

‹ ›

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