Discover the holistic development of young children, the shaping of their future wellbeing and their learning outcomes. Get the specialist skills you need to tackle issues facing young children with teaching informed by the works of Friedrich Froebel.
Entry Tariff
112 UCAS points (or equivalent)
Foundation Year entry: 64 UCAS points (or equivalent)
UCAS Code
X310
X110 (if choosing Foundation Year)
Duration
3 years (full-time)
4 years (full-time) if opting for the additional placement year
4 years (full-time) if opting for Foundation Year entry
Start date
September 2024
Degree Type
BA (single honours)
Course also available with Foundation Year
Modules
These modules are those we currently offer and may be subject to change.
This course is offered as a degree with foundation year – a four-year programme which provides an additional foundation year at the beginning of the degree, that will give you academic and practical experience, as well as the skills you need to ensure you are equipped to successfully complete your chosen degree.
£2,000 Foundation Scholarships for all home students
Find out more about our degrees with a foundation year
Study Abroad
This course has the option of studying abroad as part of your degree in your second semester of second year.
With Roehampton Abroad scholarships of up to £1,000 and Turing Scheme funding available, you could spend a semester at one of our partner universities across the globe, with destinations including the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe.
Find out more about where your degree could take you here.
Why this course
In the National Student Survey 2023, Roehampton Early Childhood Studies students rated Teaching and Learning on the course overwhelmingly positive with scores of above 90%.
Achieve a level 6 in Graduate Practitioner Competencies by completing as assessed work placement in your final year.
Access to the Froebel Archive, containing rare books, toys and photos, collected over the past 200 years.
Skills
Make a difference to young children's lives with a degree in Early Childhood Studies.
This course gives you the knowledge and skills to carve out a sustainable career in the education sector, working with young children.
On our BA Early Childhood Studies, our priority is ensuring that you graduate with a professional skillset. This incorporates;
- Developing knowledge, skills, and confidence to act as an advocate for babies, young children, their families and communities.
- Understanding policy and practice and learning to engage in critical inquiry and problem solving around key issues in the field.
- An Assessed placement which will ensure that you qualify as a practitioner at level 3 and can be counted into staff ratio.
Distinctive Froebelian approach
You’ll also develop the attributes you need to succeed in the workplace, including:
• Written and spoken communication
• Problem-solving
• Teamwork
• Attention to detail.
Your employability is our priority from day one. An optional paid work placement gives you the opportunity to gain professional experience, or study abroad between Years 2 and 3.
How you'll learn
Experience a dynamic, contemporary curriculum working with leading experts.
Working in both small groups and individually, you’ll enjoy a mix of lectures and seminars as you work through progressive modules. These will broadly fall under the areas of:
- child development theory and practice;
- understanding professional working practice in Early Childhood;
- undertaking an assessed placement in an EY setting and learning about Leadership skills to work in Early Childhood Settings.
In your final year you will enjoy the chance to develop your analytical and critical skills during this year. Part of this will involve completing a small action research project or other piece of qualitative research, to contribute to our knowledge and understanding in the area of Early Childhood. You will be supported by an individual supervisor through the project.
Your tutors
Who Teaches Early Childhood Studies?
Dr Penny Lawrence
I'm Penny Lawrence and my main research interest is in agency and dialogical learning, particularly in non-verbal, multi-modal interactions and including the more-than-human.
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Dr Fenling Tang
I'm Fenling and I am a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies.
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Sigrid Brogaard-Clausen
I am a senior lecturer on the Early Childhood Studies Programmes.
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Dr Evelyn Corrado
I'm Evelyn and I use multidisciplinary approach in my teaching and research.
Read MoreRead more
Enjoy a personal and practical approach to your studies. You’ll work in exceptional learning facilities, including:
• The world-class University of Roehampton Library, which is staffed by friendly and dedicated staff who are here to help you. As soon as you join us, you will be able to enjoy all the benefits of our state-of-the-art resources.
• Access to the Froebel Archive, containing rare books, toys, and photos, collected over the past 200 years.
Distinctive Froebelian approach:
Roehampton is internationally renowned for its work in early childhood studies. This course takes a distinctive Froebelian approach to the study of early years, grounded in the following principles:
• A holistic view of babies, young children, their families and the communities they are part of, making links with past, present and future.
• The centrality of play and (outdoor) environments for wellbeing and learning.
• Inclusion and connectedness, and a commitment to social justice in the field of early childhood.
• A commitment to recognising and responding to the individual experiences and understandings of children.
• Continued development of understanding of professionalism and professional reflection and action, linking theory, research and practice.
This course offers all students the option of a one-year paid work placement, to boost your employability even further. If you choose this route, you will take the placement following year two of your course, and then return to complete your degree.
Upcoming Events:
How you'll be assessed
Push yourself further with real-world assignments.
Throughout the course, you’ll experience a wide range of assessments that enhance your understanding and practical skills, while giving you a taste practices within the workplace. These include:
• online tests
• presentations
• essays
• practical assessments
You’ll leave Roehampton with an in-depth understanding of both the theory and the hands-on applications of working with young children, ready to take the next step.
Read more
In school of education, we prepare our students for enriching careers within the modern education system. We have a rich 183-year history and have been providing higher education to women for longer than any other university in the country.
In year 3, you will have the opportunity to complete a placement module and gain a level 6 Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competency:
Studying Young Children; Building Relationships. Placement.
Observing young children is a key element in developing an understanding of their growth, development, and learning. This module is designed to offer you the opportunity to develop confidence and strength in your knowledge of young children, through study within the university and observations in settings for young children.
At this level 4 module, you will need to undertake a minimum of 25 days mentored experience (Placement) in a relevant early years setting to gain your first-year experience to meet the requirement of the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies.
Career options
Shape the future of the education sector.
If you’re ready to learn, we’ll help you gain the confidence and opportunities to achieve.
Our Careers team is on hand to help from the start of your studies until after you graduate. Under their guidance you’ll benefit from a wide range of support, including:
• CV building
• Interview preparation
• Mentoring
• Industry connections
• Work experience
• Volunteering opportunities
• Job fairs
• Introductions to future employers.
Many take on roles in the education sector including:
• Education professional in primary and nursery care (teaching, administration or management)*
• A special needs professional in schools, children centres and the community
• A children’s charity undertaking policy and research, in community support, welfare or housing
• An NGO or central or local government department
*This is an academic degree – further study may be needed to gain professional qualifications.
With our BA Early Childhood Studies degree, you can also continue to postgraduate study – researching topics including SEN, disability and inclusion and more. Or taking courses that prepare you for teaching professions.
How our careers service supports you
Our careers team is available to support you from the start of your studies until after you graduate. We will help you build your CV, prepare for interviews, and meet and learn from successful graduates working at the top of their careers. You’ll also have opportunities to work with our partners across London and beyond, and to attend a Roehampton jobs fair where you can find out about graduate opportunities and meet employers.
Application Info
How to apply
Undergraduate programmes
- September 2024 entry: Home (UK) students – apply through UCAS (Roehampton UCAS institution code is R48)
Apply now for September 2024 entry through UCAS
- September 2024 entry: International students- apply using our direct application form
Apply now for September 2024 entry
If you need any help or advice with your application, or just want to ask us a question before you apply, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We welcome applicants with a wide range of qualifications, including BTECs, A-levels and T Levels.
When we consider applications to study with us, we form a complete view of your achievements to date, and future potential. In some cases, we will make you a contextual offer. Contextual offers ensure that all applicants have a fair opportunity of gaining a place with us, regardless of their background. Find out more about contextual offers.
Detailed advice on applying for an undergraduate degree is available on our How to apply page.
Entry tariff
112 UCAS points (or equivalent)
Foundation Year entry: 64 UCAS points (or equivalent)
We welcome applications from students studying T Levels.
For all courses we also accept a wide range of other qualifications and experience. Contact us to find out more.
When we consider applications to study with us, we form a complete view of your achievements to date, and future potential, and can offer flexibility in entry requirements. Find out more about our Contextual Offer scheme.
General entry requirements
Career prospects are greatly enhanced by having GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4 or above on this course.
Validation and curriculum review
What is validation?
Validation is a formal process through which the University approves a programme (content, teaching, learning and assessment) as being of appropriate standard and quality. This is a normal process used throughout the university sector.
The University expects to publish details of the validated programme in the academic year prior to the start date of the programme. You are advised to check the University website at that time to ensure that you have up-to-date information. In the meantime, if you require information you should contact 0208 392 3232.
What is curriculum review?
Curriculum review is the regular and systematic monitoring and reviewing of programmes. It is a normal process in the sector and it is the way by which the university ensures that your course remains up-to-date and relevant. The process may result in changes to the content, structure and/or assessment of the programme.
The University expects to publish details of the re-validated programme by 31 March in the academic year prior to the start date of the programme. You are advised to check the University website at that time to ensure that you have up-to-date information. In the meantime, if you require information you should contact 0208 392 3232.
Contextual offers
When we consider applications to study with us, we form a complete view of your achievements to date, and future potential, and can offer flexibility in entry requirements.
Find out moreNeed help before you apply?
Our Alumni
Andrea Yankah
Class of 2016
Andrea Yankah started her BA Early Childhood Studies degree at Roehampton in 2013 and we're delighted to say she's still with us. Here's her testimony:
I initially chose Roehampton as a mature student, attracted by the rich history of Froebel College. From the moment I arrived, I decided I never wanted to leave.
What I've learnt since 2013 has completely opened my eyes to the political and complex nature of the early years sector. Importantly, it's taught me that it's not only OK to question the status quo, it's necessary to do so.
This realisation ignited my passion for advocacy. At the time I started my degree, I was closing down a successful childcare business that I had been running for a few years. Government policy and funding changes made it difficult to continue providing quality care whilst remaining sustainable. During my undergrad study I founded the Early Childhood Studies Society, I also became a student rep and represented the department at Senate.
After graduating I completed a master's and also ran a consultancy supporting struggling early years providers. It was at this point that Roehampton invited me to work as a visiting lecturer, which led to a role managing the early childhood degree at one of Roehampton's partner colleges. Running that programme and reflecting on my studies alerted me to some of the issues facing those engaged in early years study, issues that became the basis for my PhD research that I am now halfway through.
On top of everything I am building a think tank in Ghana, to advocate for culturally competent early childhood programmes and education reform. You can check out this project on www.no-ri.org, or search Andrea Yankah on social media. The staff in Roehampton's Early Childhood Studies department, who I now have the pleasure of calling my colleagues and friends, have been integral to my personal and professional development throughout my time here."
Megan Griffiths
Class of 2017 – BA Primary Education (QTS)
Megan Griffiths graduated with a first class honours degree in Primary Education from Roehampton in 2017, with the teaching of English as her curriculum specialism. Having made the decision to do a teaching degree while at sixth form, she visited lots of universities but chose Roehampton on the basis of its beautiful campus and the warm welcome she received here.
Throughout her studies Megan enjoyed the placement modules most, and in her final year she was offered a job by one of her placement schools working a Year 2 class teacher in Kingston. Since then she has made two major strides in her career: a recent promotion to Early Years Foundation Stage Lead in her school was followed by the opportunity for part-time secondment to the Schools Alliance for Excellence (SAFE) as the organisation’s English Teaching and Learning Lead. In this role Megan visits schools across Surrey and shares best practice in English with other teachers. On top of this she is planning to embark on a master’s degree in teaching and learning in 2022, with the active support of her school. Megan told us “I’m excited for my future in teaching and my master’s degree, but I still have such fond memories of my time at university and will be forever grateful to Roehampton for shaping my future.”
Related courses
Primary Education Studies
Find out more