Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Early Years Childhood Studies University of Greater Manchester, UK

At the University of Bolton, we believe that making the link between your course content and real-life situations is crucial to your understanding of early childhood studies. Our BA (Hons) Early Years Childhood Studies degree is an excellent qualification if you want a career working with young children and need to develop the necessary work experience. It's also ideal if you're already working with young children and want to obtain a formal qualification to support your career development.

Using their wealth of experience from a wide range of settings, our highly-qualified professional tutors will guide you through the theories and research that underpin early childhood practices. The work-based element of the course will help bring your learning to life and give you experience using your new knowledge and skills in the workplace.

In some modules, you may be taught alongside professionals who work in related services and professions. These connections help promote the multi-agency team approach that is such an important part of the early childhood agenda. Overall, our supportive team will guide and encourage you, helping you to develop into a confident, capable early years professional.

Highlights

• Our Childhood and Youth Studies courses are top in the UK for student satisfaction, according to The Complete University Guide 2022.
• We'll work with you as an individual, giving you access to the help and support you need to succeed.
• Our staff members have a range of specialist areas, such as teaching English as an additional language in primary education and improving children's experience of schooling, particularly for those from migrant backgrounds.
• The course covers leadership and management in the early years, aimed at preparing you for additional responsibilities such as team leading or management roles in the sector.
• Our close links and regular engagement with early years providers, employers and practitioners ensure our course delivery and content are up-to-date and in line with government policy and guidance.
• Our emphasis on supporting you in developing study and critical thinking skills will help you engage with further learning and prepare you for postgraduate study.

Key Features

• Combining theory with practical skills, the course is designed to prepare you for a career working with young children or give you a formal qualification with a possible progression into primary school education.
• Strong partnership links with local employers in the sector mean there are opportunities for you to undertake work placements, providing meaningful experience to put on your CV.
• Guest lectures from practitioners in the sector provide additional knowledge and alternative viewpoints. Specialist tutors also provide another dimension to your learning. We work hard to ensure the course supports you in developing a multi-agency approach mindset.
• In the final year, you'll have the chance to undertake a small-scale research project focusing on an area of early childhood that is particularly interesting to you.
• You'll have opportunities to learn through role play, which is a great way to develop and practice your skills and understanding.
• By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes Bolton an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.