BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies Bachelor's degree at the University of Plymouth
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies at University of Plymouth leads to a nationally recognised Bachelor's degree. The University of Plymouth received a Gold award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 and is.
About this course
With BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies at Plymouth you can take a fresh look at childhood. Explore the theory and reality of children’s early years from many points of view. This innovative course will help you find your niche in this competitive sector. From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at the University of Plymouth, based in University of Plymouth Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Health and social care graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 40% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £32,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Nursing & Health, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
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)
Limited evidence Published sample: 25; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 90% (2022-23; 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.
Year 1 6 modules
- Understanding Development; Biology and PsychologyCore20 credits
Module details
In this module we will explore the nature of the disciplines of biology and psychology. We will look at how biologists and psychologists study young children. We will look at some current biological and psychological perspectives of child development. Students will carry out psychological tasks with young children and reflect upon the implications of what they have found and the nature of their own learning and understanding of children and themselves.
Assessment: 100% coursework
- Politics for EqualityCore20 credits
Module details
This module explores the concepts of equality, inclusion, diversity and anti-discrimination and investigates cultural structures, discrimination, social exclusion, power and participation. Students will consider the impact of political and policy developments at global, European, UK and local levels drawing on theoretical frameworks and real examples, including students own experiences, to explore how culture and policy impact on young children and their families.
Assessment: 100% coursework
- Places and Spaces for Learning and PlayingCore20 credits
Module details
Throughout this module students will be introduced to a range of places and spaces that facilitates children's learning and play. There will be opportunities to link these experiences with academic theories with an aim to support the students' skills in noticing and understanding the process of learning.
Assessment: 100% coursework
- Children in SocietyCore20 credits
Module details
This module will focus on the complexity and diversity of young children's experiences of growing up in contemporary societies. It will examine how children's everyday lives are shaped through a wide range of structural influences and through children's own active engagement with their worlds.
Assessment: 100% coursework
- Multi Professional PerspectivesCore20 credits
Module details
An introduction to the diversity of early childhood settings, their structures and the varied heritages of the practitioners that work with them/in them. Notions such as communication, team work, working with parents and as part of a multi-professional team are explored along with an understanding of self as a reflective practitioner
Assessment: 100% coursework
- An Introduction to Early Childhood Studies and PracticeCore
Module details
This module introduces key perspectives in Early Childhood Studies, builds essential study skills, and prepares students for their first work placement. Engaging lectures from our expert team highlight diverse research and ideas, while interactive seminars encourage discussion and active learning. Students receive tailored guidance to secure a placement and begin applying theory to practice.
Assessment: 100% coursework
Year 2 9 modules
- Developing Communication in the Early YearsCore20 credits
Module details
This module has two related purposes: to give students a sound understanding of how children develop their ability to communicate and to help them develop their own communication skills. Language development is a central focus, but set within a wider understanding of different forms of communication.
Assessment: 100% coursework
- Work Based Learning (in a setting with young children and/or families)Core20 credits
Module details
This module is intended to provide students with the opportunity to experience work-based learning opportunities in a setting which involves work (paid or unpaid) with young children (0-8) or with children and their families. There is recognition that such work-based learning can take place in a wide variety of situations and settings, but for this module it will normally involve more than one child and more than one family. A reflective approach to this learning experience provides students wit
Assessment: 100% coursework
- Perspectives on Child DevelopmentCore
Module details
The module will draw on approaches from Sociology, Psychology, Education and Biology to explore physical, emotional, social and cultural influences on child development. Co-production, as a means to support development, through working with families will be emphasised. Students will construct an informed personal perspective on co-production and early development, based on observation and understanding of relationships between theoretical models and research findings.
Assessment: 100% coursework
- Research MattersCore
Module details
The module provides a basic introduction to research methods to establish some of the fundamentals of research design and process. Students will explore methodological approaches and existing research studies. Students will have an opportunity to engage with a range of innovative and creative methodologies.
Assessment: 100% coursework
- Working with a Range of ProfessionalsOptional20 credits
Module details
This module is intended for those who wish to understand more about working with other professionals whose work impacts on young children and their families in some way; in Case Conferences; strategy meetings as well as report writing, producing and implementing developmental and/or safeguarding plans, etc.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Work Based Learning Plus (in a setting with young children and/or families)Optional
Module details
This module is intended to provide students with the opportunity to maximise professional learning opportunities during a work-place experience (paid or unpaid) with young children (0-5) or with children and their families. There is recognition that such work-based learning can take place in a wide variety of situations and settings, but for this module it will enable students to meet the Early Years Educator Standards. A reflective approach to this learning experience provides students with the
- Child Well-being in the Developing WorldOptional20 credits
Module details
Through this module you will be thinking about the big challenges facing young children today in relation to UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through reflecting on childhood and the well-being of young children in the developing world (defined as those that are low on the UN Human Development Index), we will be looking critically at issues such as poverty, global inequalities, access to resources, education, health, conflict, livelihoods and sustainability.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Sustainable Education in ActionOptional20 credits
Module details
Through this module you will be thinking about the big challenges of today in relation to UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through a service learning and collaborative sustainable education approach, you will be creatively engaged with pressing issues across the city and local area in order to facilitate learning that helps us make positive change together. This module will enable you to reflect on your development as: competent and confident professionals, sustainable and global citizens,
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Learning Outside the ClassroomOptional20 credits
Module details
This module focuses on the understanding and personal exploration of Learning Outside the Classroom and Outdoor Learning. Understanding of the fieldwill be gained through theoretical and practical sessions. Students are encouraged to link theory with practice and will devise and justify (drawing on literature and personal reflection) a program of activities for a targeted group in a named real-world location.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
Year 3 7 modules
- Adults' Concepts of Childhood: their impact on the past and present treatment of childrenCore20 credits
Module details
This module will explore how childhood and adulthood are related concepts with deep historical roots. It will explain contemporary changes in young childrens lives by tracing the historical forces that have shaped different concepts of childhood, defining the ways in which adults think, act and behave with young children.
Assessment: 100% coursework
- Enabling Environments for Young Children's LearningCore
Module details
This module considers issues surrounding the spaces in which adults interact with children in teaching and learning relationships. Students will examine governments' and practitioners' beliefs and principles that influence the creation of these 'spaces' and the pedagogic practices within them.
Assessment: 100% coursework
- Research DissertationCore
Module details
This module enhances students' knowledge and understanding of the nature, significance and role of research and its impact on theory, policy and practice in the field of education and early years. It develops students' knowledge, skills and understanding in respect of planning, designing, carrying out and critically evaluating their own independent research enquiries.
Assessment: 100% coursework
- Education for the 21st century: Global, Sustainable and WildOptional20 credits
Module details
This module offers an integrated approach to key themes in envisioning future fit education; namely global citizenship, sustainable development and environmental care. It asks the learner to explore contemporary educational issues such as the impact of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Global Action Programme for ESD. It critically and creatively considers the role of compassionate engagement in education with regard to ecological literacy, global citizenship, human rights, social justice
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Current Issues in Early Childhood: Politics, Welfare and SocietyOptional20 credits
Module details
This module will enable participants to focus on current debates related to early childhood studies with a focus on the political, welfare and society. By its nature the content of the module will change each year, as issues change, new understandings emerge and different perspectives apply. Key social, political and educational issues that affect the lives of young children, 0-8, and their families will be studied in this module. Some comparisons will be made with Europe and other countries. St
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Wellbeing and the 'Good Life'Optional20 credits
Module details
What is meant by 'wellbeing'? How do we know what it is, what affects it, and how to evaluate ours? What do we need to consider if we are going to 'manage' our own and to have achievable goals for a 'Good Life'? This module is about exploring concepts and theories surrounding wellbeing, and to question our own individual and cultural values and expectations in regard to it. Essentially, though, it is about questioning our own, and looking at a small but significant wellbeing toolkit to help us n
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Children and RiskOptional
Module details
Explores the complex issues related to keeping children safe within personal, institutional and community contexts. It addresses how risk is theorised and assessed practically as well as exploring how different perspectives of risk impacts on young children's everyday experiences.
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 course invites you to explore the theory and reality of children's early years from multiple perspectives. You'll study the foundations of early childhood practice, including child development, communication, and person-centred care. A course like this typically moves from core concepts in Year 1, such as anatomy, physiology, and foundational practice skills, through to more specialised study in Years 2 and 3. Throughout the programme, you'll engage in supervised placements in early years settings, typically comprising around 50% of your time. As you progress, you'll develop expertise in areas such as leadership, mental health support, and community-based practice, culminating in evidence-based study and preparation for professional registration.
Who it's for
This course suits students interested in early childhood development, education, and care. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent qualifications; the typical UCAS tariff band among recent entrants was 112–127 points. The course welcomes those committed to working with young children and their families across various settings.
Careers & job market
Across Nursing & Health courses nationally, 90% of graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduating. Of working graduates, 87% were in highly skilled work or further study. National earnings data shows starting salaries of £27,000–£30,500 (15 months post-graduation), rising to £23,800–£33,600 after three years and £27,200–£38,400 after five years. First-year retention stands at 85% across the field. Career paths in early childhood studies span diverse roles in education, childcare, policy, and family support.
University & format
University of Plymouth is a University located at University of Plymouth Campus. This BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree is full-time over 3 years, taught in English. As a recognised UK degree-awarding body, the qualification is nationally recognised. The University received Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 and is.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
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.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Entry & how to get in
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
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 95% |
| another higher-education qualification | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
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.
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.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write 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.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results 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.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at University of Plymouth →For students who normally live in England
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.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
National funding for this subject
- NHS Learning Support Fund: Eligible nursing, midwifery and allied-health students can receive a non-repayable training grant. Official guidance
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
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.
Careers & earnings
What Nursing & Health graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £32,000 | £24,000 – £35,000 | 25 |
| 3 years after | £29,000 | £21,000 – £33,000 | 55 |
| 5 years after | £35,000 | £27,500 – £38,500 | 60 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 25; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Newly Qualified PractitionerPreceptorship / first post · 0–2 yrs
- 2Registered PractitionerAutonomous practice · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / SpecialistSpecialist or team lead · 5–10 yrs
- 4Advanced / Consultant PractitionerAdvanced practice or management · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Nursing & Health nationally
National figures for Nursing & Health 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.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 25; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. 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 Nursing & Health courses at the same study level.
Compared with 1,506 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Teaching and Childcare Support OccupationDiscover Uni category · 30% of published destinations
- Welfare and housing associate professionalsSOC 2020 322 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,937
- Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
- Caring personal servicesSOC 2020 613 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £23,668
- Teaching and Childcare Associate ProfessionalsSOC 2020 323 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £20,261
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 25; response rate: 50%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Nursing & Health graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
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 documentation and triage support
- Scheduling and records admin
- First-pass risk flags from data
- Standard reference look-ups
More human than ever
- Hands-on, compassionate care
- Clinical judgement and accountability
- Communicating with patients and families
- Ethics and safeguarding decisions
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Nursing & Health graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- NHS trusts
- Private healthcare
- Care providers
- Community & mental-health services
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Nursing & Health graduates.
Nursing Home ManagerJarrodean Healthcare RecruitmentSenior Charge Nurse Uist Community Nursing teamNHS National Services ScotlandCare Assistant - Nursing Home | Flexible Hours, Weekly PayMpa RecruitmentCare Assistant (Nursing) - Nightshift - RatheaneMacklin Care Homes LimitedSenior Support Worker: Meaningful Care & Flexible ShiftsPotens GroupDental NurseBupa Dental CareIs 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
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £32,000. 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 8.7 out of 10: NSS 79.6% · in work or study 90% · continued 90%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of Plymouth
Subjects allied to medicine across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around University of Plymouth Campus
3,218 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Nursing & Health right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Plymouth from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £18,150 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). 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 University of Plymouth’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 University of Plymouth and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Plymouth
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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