BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies · CCCUBachelor's degree · 3 years
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Canterbury Christ Church University · Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies Bachelor's degree at Canterbury Christ Church University

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies at CCCU covers core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills development.

BA (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
87%
continuation

About this course

Find out more about our degree in Early Childhood Studies at Canterbury Christ Church University, Kent. From the provider’s course page.

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at CCCU, based in Canterbury. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.

For Education graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £26,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)

For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Education & Teaching, see the sections below.

Course evidence score

The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.

8.4
/ 10
2 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent81

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Excellent87

Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2021-23. Continuation 87% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Curriculum & modules

Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.

1 4 modules
  • Introduction to Early Childhood: Children's Worlds15 credits
    Module details

    Get ready to dive into the fascinating field of Early Childhood and explore the world of the child, the world around the child, and the world at large. From before birth to age 8, children's lives are shaped by history, society, psychology, and global influences. In this module, you will be introduced to the many powerful interactions that influence young children's experiences and development. Plus, you'll gain insights into how children are perceived, how social and environmental justice issue

  • Growing Up: Development and Learning in Early Childhood30 credits
    Module details

    Discover how young children co-create their everyday experiences and relationships, and explore the interconnected nature of children, adults, and their environments. You will investigate how children develop magnificent, complex life skills during their early years, as well as the various influences that shape their development from before birth through age 8. This module offers an engaging exploration into the complexities of Early Childhood Development, equipping you with knowledge, confidenc

  • Keeping Children Safe: Safeguarding & Rights in Early Childhood30 credits
    Module details

    Safeguarding children is at the heart of Early Childhood practice in every context. In this module, you will be introduced to the concepts of 'community' and safeguarding for young children and their families. You will explore children's rights, protection, and participation through the lenses of national and international legislation, policy, and practice. You will develop an understanding of multi-agency working, equipping you with the curiosity, knowledge, and skills to play your part in keep

  • Children at the Centre of Practice30 credits
    Module details

    We think we know what contemporary and inclusive Early Childhood practice looks like, but have you ever wondered how it could be different? This module will help you consider a range of practices that work to meet the needs of individual children. You'll consider key principles in a variety of child-centred approaches, including Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), outdoor pedagogies like Forest School, the Froebelian Approach to Early Childhood, and therapeutic approaches for youn

2 2 modules
  • Constructing Childhoods: Identity, Community, Society30 credits
    Module details

    What makes us who we are, and how do we develop our sense of self? This module invites you to consider some of these very big questions. You will reflect on the ways that children's identities - and your own - are influenced by broader historical and social forces, such as race and ethnicity, sex and gender, and disability, that set Early Childhood as a foundation that shapes us into adulthood. This module offers a thought-provoking self-exploration of the factors that construct childhood identi

  • Play With Me! Creativity & Learning in Early Childhood30 credits
    Module details

    All children, all over the world, play. Creativity and play are children's tools - tools to make sense of the world, tools to share their understanding with others, and tools to learn. However, play is not universally the same: how it may look is impacted by generation, additional needs, access, and culture. Play can even take many different forms - some of which can be risky or dangerous. This module exposes how children use creativity and play to engage with, assign meaning to, and create and

3 5 modules
  • Re-imagining Early Childhood for Innovative Practice15 credits
    Module details

    Deepen your understanding of inclusive Early Childhood practice, and apply your developing leadership and advocacy skills in this module, which completes your journey within the key areas of child-centred practice: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), outdoor pedagogies such as Forest Schools, the Froebelian approach to Early Childhood, or therapeutic approaches for young children, such as play or art therapy. This module encourages you to think deeply about the methods of adapting

  • Children Thriving: Opportunities and Well-being15 credits
    Module details

    Challenges and opportunities shape the experiences of young children in contemporary society, both locally and globally. In this module, you will investigate topics such as school readiness, poverty, parental separation, technology, and children's digital identities through the lens of children's well-being and development. This module equips you with the knowledge and skills to help children and families overcome challenges and thrive.

  • Voices in Early Childhood Research30 credits
    Module details

    Early Childhood research is often written about children by adults. These 'voices' in research can give us clues about the ways in which children are thought of, and the assumptions that are made about them. In this module, you will reflect on and critique the voices present in Early Childhood research and consider how high-quality Early Childhood research can be co-constructed with young children. You'll put your learning into action by prioritising children's voices and engaging in co-research

  • Leading the Future: Professionalism and Values in Early Childhood30 credits
    Module details

    Professionalism, leadership, and management skills are critical in bringing about changes in practice and policy for a more sustainable future for young children, their families, and communities. This module provides you with opportunities to engage with different leadership and management models, as well as skills and tools to hone your professionalism to facilitate positive change in your graduate environments.

  • Research in Early Childhood: The Major Project30 credits
    Module details

    In this module, you'll be provided with the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge you have gained during your degree to develop new knowledge. You will apply what you have learned through the ECS Research in Focus Framework to carry out an independent, in-depth project within Early Childhood and related professions. You will plan, research, and complete your project with personalised support from tutors, developing critical thinking, research, and time management skills. Workshops, discu

Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.

Course in depth

What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.

What you'll study

This degree in Early Childhood Studies examines how children develop and learn, and how to support them effectively in educational settings. You'll usually begin with foundations of child development, learning theory and the organisation of schooling, alongside early school observation. In Year 2, you'll progress to curriculum design, pedagogy and inclusion, with sustained teaching placements building your classroom practice. Year 3 moves toward specialist options such as primary teaching, early years, SEND and inclusion, education policy, and QTS routes, culminating in a final placement where applicable. Throughout, you'll combine theoretical study with practical experience in schools, developing both subject knowledge and the professional skills needed for practice in the field.

Who it's for

This course suits those seeking to develop expertise in early childhood education and care. You'll engage with both theoretical foundations and practical application, preparing you for professional roles working with young children. Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent qualifications; accepted students typically came in with UCAS tariffs of 64–79 points. The course is taught in English.

University & format

Canterbury Christ Church University is a public university in Canterbury, Kent. This BA (Hons) degree is studied full-time over 3 years, taught in English. The university is a recognised UK degree-awarding body; your qualification will be nationally recognised. The institution holds a Silver award for teaching quality from the Office for Students' TEF 2023.

Student satisfaction

How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.

The teaching on my course
83%
Learning opportunities
80%
Assessment and feedback
88%
Academic Support
84%
Organisation and management
69%
Learning resources
94%
Student voice
71%

Share of students responding positively.

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

Application timelineWhat happens next
  1. 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted

    Your application needs a reference before you can send it.

  2. 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  3. 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

  4. 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline

    18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.

Show 5 later dates
  1. 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens

    Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

  2. 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers

    Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.

  3. 2027 entryClearing opens

    Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.

  4. 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  5. 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

Published entryBBC typical offer

Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.

Entry & how to get in

Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of BBC. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent53% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 64 - 79 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check CCCU's official course page for the current offer.

Who gets in

What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.

UCAS tariff of entrants

Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.

Qualifications held on entry

QualificationShare
A-levels or equivalent53%
another higher-education qualification40%
Other4%
a previous degree2%
an Access course1%

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Accessible entry

Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.

Will you get in? Plot your grades

Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.

Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.

Add your grades to see where you land

Your points will drop onto the distribution above, with an honest above / within / below read.

Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.

How to apply

Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.

Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesDDDA-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeX310quote this on your application
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course (code X310). One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write your personal statement

    A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.

  3. 3
    Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time

    UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results day & confirmation

    On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask CCCU whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Homeup to £9,790 / yr
Internationalset by the university

Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.

Check fees at CCCU →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 3 years

2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.

Starting on or after 1 January 2027?

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.

Paying for it

  • Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
  • Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
  • Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
  • Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.

England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All CCCU funding →
No verified named award is shown for this provider yet.

That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.

National funding for this subject

  • Teacher-training bursaries: Postgraduate bursaries and scholarships are available for selected shortage subjects. Official guidance

We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.

StudyKit · free

Still deciding what to study?

StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.

Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What Education & Teaching graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

Graduate earnings: this course

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£26,000£21,000 – £30,0002900
3 years after£20,500£15,500 – £25,000310
5 years after£24,500£18,500 – £30,500305

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 2,900. Cohort 2021-22.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

87%
continue past their first year
  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in education & teaching · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Education & Teaching nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£26,000
£22,000 – £30,000
After 3 years LEO
£20,500
£17,850 – £25,200
After 5 years LEO
£24,500
£21,250 – £30,000
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £16,500 – £31,000

National figures for Education & Teaching graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.

Work out your pay

Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.

What happened to 100 students?

Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.

87 of 100

continued or completed

continued into the next year or completed their qualification

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 2,900. Cohort 2021-22. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.

Value compared with similar courses

How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Education & Teaching courses at the same study level.

This course £24,500Peer median £25,000Middle 50% £22,500–£30,000
43rd percentile

Compared with 515 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.

Job market & outlook

How Education & Teaching graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

90%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Education & Teaching courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
70%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

How AI is changing the work

AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.

What AI takes off your plate

  • Routine information gathering
  • First-draft writing and summaries
  • Standard analysis and admin
  • Repetitive processing tasks

More human than ever

  • Judgement and original thinking
  • Working with and leading people
  • Owning and sense-checking AI output
  • Ethics and accountability

The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.

Roles & employers

Where Education & Teaching graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.

Where they work

  • Schools & academy trusts
  • Local authorities
  • Education charities
  • Tutoring providers

Is this course right for you?

The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.

💷

Student finance

For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.

📈

Where graduates go

Most graduates were in work or further study, with a median salary of £26,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.

🎯

Your entry chances

Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.

Official-data snapshot

Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.4 out of 10: NSS 81.3% · continued 87%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

Canterbury Christ Church University

All students38,385
International3.5%
Aged 25+77.7%

Education and teaching across the UK

Students109,885
Aged 25+51.8%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Canterbury

1,800 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 578Anti Social Behaviour 398Shoplifting 272Criminal Damage Arson 156Other Theft 107

Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.

Is Education & Teaching right for you?

Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.

International students

What applying to CCCU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is set per course by CCCU; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.

English language

Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.

Student visa

You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.

Scholarships & funding

Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check CCCU’s funding pages.

Living costs

Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.

Working while you study

A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.

Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with CCCU and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Entry is historically accessible, accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 64 - 79 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
Set by CCCU. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Education graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £26,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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