BA (Hons)

Early Childhood Studies (Graduate Practitioner)

Discover how babies, toddlers and young children develop, learn and think, and pick up practical skills and experience to help shape their future.

You’ll grow your understanding of professional and inclusive practice and how you can develop a rewarding career supporting babies, toddlers, young children and families in a variety of early years settings.

You’ll study the latest theories, issues and approaches in education, and put your knowledge into practice on placement. You’ll develop as a professional Early Childhood practitioner and build your leadership skills.

Logo: THE Awards 2023
 

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies (ECGPC)

When you study with us, you’ll complete the ECGPC (Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies). This is a professionally recognised framework that’ll enhance your employability and provide some clarity for your prospective employers as to the graduate level of your achievements.

These competencies are included on the QAA Early Childhood Studies Subject Benchmark Statements with practice at Level 6 recognised by the Department for Education (DfE). You’ll meet the nine competencies through assessed observation of practice, practice-based tasks and academic assessment.

A baby sitting and looking at a toy being held by a student
Why ARU?

  • Join a course that ranked 13th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2025

  • 95% for “Learning resources” and 95% for “Communication of mental well-being support” (National Student Survey 2024)

  • Gain a globally recognised degree qualification

  • Learn on placements to gain experience in a variety of early years settings

  • Gain additional experience though volunteering and work experience

  • Save time and money with an accelerated degree and demonstrate the drive to succeed

Course options

Key facts

Looking for different course options?

This course is an accelerated degree by blended learning, meaning it takes place over 2 years instead of 3 years, and you can study in your own time, around other commitments such as your job, children or hobbies. You’ll join us on campus for 3 full days each trimester with your tutors and peers, attending workshops and guest lectures to compliment your studies. Our learning management system, Canvas, will give you access to a comprehensive range of study resources and allow you to take part in optional online workshops with the Course Director. Our expert tutors will be on hand to offer advice and regular feedback, too. Our accelerated degree can save over £5,000 on tuition fees plus any living costs.

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1
  • The Developing Child
  • The Developing Graduate Practitioner in Practice
  • Safeguarding and Wellbeing
  • Inclusive Research with Children
  • Creative Pedagogy: How Children Learn (0-8)
  • The Reflective Graduate Practitioner in Practice
  • Education for Global Citizenship and the Use of Artificial Intelligence
  • Into ARU
Year 2
  • Exploring a Sustainable Education
  • Innovative Change Through a Creative Lens of Leadership
  • The Professional Graduate Practitioner in Practice
  • Undergraduate Major Project
  • Advocating for Children's Rights
  • Ruskin Module (15 credits)
Module details

If you take the full three-year course via distance learning, you’ll study the same modules as students taking the standard BA (Hons) degree. If you’re already working in a relevant environment, you can usually complete your placement days with your current employer.

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

If you've already completed a foundation degree (or equivalent), you can top-up to a full honours degree via distance learning. You’ll study the Year 3 BA (Hons) modules over one year (full-time) or two years (part-time).

Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.

Student experience

  • Mitzi Harris holding large children's picturebook

    Mitzi graduated with a First from our BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies in 2023, and now works as an Admissions and Conversion Co-ordinator at ARU, as well as being a freelance writer and self-published children’s author. Discover how our course helped Mitzi.

  • Violet Ongele in a garden

    ARU spotlight - Violet Ongele Hindle: Violet balances our Early Childhood Studies degree with teaching part-time in a primary school and being a mother. Read Violet's spotlight interview.

  • A student and lecturer on a rug in a classroom looking at pink building blocks

    Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons) student Lucie Hamilton explains what you learn on the course and why play is so important for children's development. Read Lucie's blog.

    • ;
  • Mitzi Harris holding large children's picturebook
  • Violet Ongele in a garden
  • A student and lecturer on a rug in a classroom looking at pink building blocks
  • Mitzi Harris holding large children's picturebook
  • Violet Ongele in a garden
  • A student and lecturer on a rug in a classroom looking at pink building blocks

Facilities

Our Early Childhood Resource and Research Room is packed with toys, games and equipment including Montessori didactic apparatus (specialist learning toys) where you’ll be able to experience a child’s eye view of the world.

 Take a guided tour and meet our students.

Careers

Guided by the Early Years Professional Framework, we work with employers to ensure our BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies will give you the knowledge, skills and abilities that they need.

You’ll be qualified to work in any registered setting in England, including nurseries and pre-schools, and with additional training you could also consider a career in educational psychology or social work.

When you graduate, you might decide to continue on to a Masters course, such as one of our MA Education degrees, which include options to specialise in leadership and management, SEND, and Montessori settings, or our PGCE. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship to get 20% off your fees.

Entry Requirements

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Fees and Paying for University

Apply for Early Childhood Studies (Graduate Practitioner)

UK students

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A student cheering with a small child in a classroom

Practical experience

As an Early Childhood Studies student at ARU you’ll benefit from:

  • placement, throughout your degree individually tailored to enable you to gain experience in a variety of early years settings
  • additional volunteering and work experience, further professional development training opportunities, enrichment trips, research groups and various early childhood and education events
  • learning the underlying values, principles and philosophies of early childhood education and care
  • knowledge of contemporary and competing theories relating to children from birth to eight years, and their families
  • developing your communication skills for different needs and audiences
  • gaining a globally recognised degree qualification.
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