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UWE Bristol · Undergraduate
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Bachelor's degree at UWE Bristol
BA (Hons) Early Childhood at UWE Bristol. You'll explore core theory, research methods, applied practice and specialist options, culminating in an independent project that draws on your developing professional expertise.
BA (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
75%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
Study our tailored BA(Hons) Early Childhood to qualify as a level 3 early years practitioner. Benefit from practical placements with our partners. From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Early Childhood is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at UWE Bristol, based in University of the West of England. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Education graduates from this provider, 75% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 60% in highly skilled roles, 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.
8.6
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Exceptional94
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)
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Strong75
Moderate evidence Published sample: 30; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 75% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Exceptional90
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 5 modules
- Constructions of ChildhoodCore
Module details
You'll study the socio-cultural influences of childhood including historical, contemporary, religious and international contexts, exploring and analysing different definitions of childhood.
- Exploring PlayCore
Module details
You'll explore definitions, theories and perceptions of play, considering the role of play as a vehicle for children's learning and development and the influence of the social and physical environment on children's experience.
- Children's Rights, Well-Being and HealthCore
Module details
You'll be introduced to the development and significance of children's rights and explore how they link to children's health and well-being, reflecting on the role of the adult in helping to support and promote this.
- Working with all ChildrenCore
Module details
Through work-related experience in early childhood settings, you'll develop an understanding of how to work ethically and inclusively with children and their families as an early years professional.
- Guided StudiesOptional
Year 2 5 modules
- Children's Meaning MakingCore
Module details
In this module, you will explore how children make meaning out of their experiences. You'll explore theory through a range of activities that children use to make sense of their world.
- Early Childhood Policy and Comparative CurriculaCore
Module details
You will explore policy development, looking at how policies originate, who contributes to them and who makes them happen, and the impact of these policies on children and their families.
- Leadership and Professional FuturesCore
Module details
You'll develop practical knowledge and understanding of working as part of a professional team and of aspects of leadership responsibilities. There will be opportunities to reflect on personal skills and values as part of the module.
- Reflective PracticeCore
Module details
You will be able to explore and reflect on a range of early childhood focused environments, identifying your specific areas of interest, and developing your knowledge and understanding.
- Becoming a ResearcherCore
Module details
You'll be introduced to the theories, philosophies and methodologies that are integral to developing a research proposal.
Final year 5 modules
- Dissertation - Including Experience in EY SettingsCore
Module details
This module prepares and supports you in developing and carrying out a research study for your dissertation and presenting the findings. You will undertake a considerable amount of independent learning as part of this final, extended study.
- Emerging Languages and IdentitiesCore
Module details
You'll investigate theoretical perspectives and research studies examining the development of communication, languages and identities from pre-conception onwards and the ways in which children's identities develop through close relationships with others.
- The Development of ReasoningCore
Module details
You'll explore the key perspectives and theories that surround, develop and promote children's development of reasoning skills, examining the psychological, socio-cultural and neuroscientific arguments around cognitive and emotional development.
- Debating ChildhoodsCore
Module details
This module will introduce you to a challenging set of questions and dilemmas which centre on children and childhood in contemporary contexts and which extends ideas relating to theories, policies and practices covered in your degree.
- Guided StudyOptional
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 is tailored to qualify you as a level 3 early years practitioner, with strong emphasis on practical placements through university partnerships. You'll usually begin with foundations in child development, how children learn, and how early years settings are organised. Year 1 includes early school experience through observation and supported placements. In Year 2, you'll study curriculum planning, pedagogy and assessment, alongside modules on inclusion and special educational needs. Sustained classroom practice builds your responsibility. Year 3 brings specialist options such as primary teaching, early years, SEND & inclusion, education policy and QTS routes, culminating in a final placement and professional assessment against teaching standards.
Who it's for
You're drawn to working with young children and curious about how they learn and develop. You work well with your hands and in collaborative settings, and you want a qualification that opens doors to early years roles immediately. You'll thrive on the blend of university-based study and time in actual settings, the mix of reflection and action suits how you learn best. If you're organised, patient with complexity, and genuinely interested in supporting children's wellbeing and progress, this course will feel purposeful from day one.
Careers & job market
Across Education & Teaching courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months. Of working graduates, 70% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further qualifications. National Graduate Outcomes data shows early career earnings (15 months post-graduation) typically range from £22,000 to £30,000, rising to £21,250–£30,000 within five years. Exact salary depends on role type, location and employer; these figures reflect the broader sector, not a guarantee.
University & format
This is a 3-year full-time BA (Hons) degree delivered at UWE Bristol, a public university founded in 1970 and located in Bristol. The course is taught in English and leads to a nationally recognised Bachelor's degree award. UWE Bristol holds Silver for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 assessment and is. The degree qualifies you to practise as a regulated early years professional within the UK education system.
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.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 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.
Published entry104 tariff points typical offer · English: IELTS (Academic) 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each component)
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Contextual offersPublished by this provider
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
PlacementPublished placement option
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of 104 tariff points. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
English languageThis course lists IELTS (Academic) 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each component) (or equivalent). See the International students section below for the full picture.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent85% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 80 - 95 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 UWE Bristol'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
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 85% |
| another higher-education qualification | 10% |
| a foundation course | 10% |
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.
Your UCAS points0
▾
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
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 gradesBBBA-level equivalent admitted students held
- 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.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask UWE Bristol 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 UWE Bristol →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
All UWE Bristol funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
National funding for this subject
- Teacher-training bursaries: Postgraduate bursaries and scholarships are available for selected shortage subjects. Official guidance
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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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
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £26,000 | £23,000 – £30,000 | 30 |
| 3 years after | £20,000 | £16,000 – £24,000 | 165 |
| 5 years after | £23,500 | £18,500 – £29,000 | 170 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 30; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
75%
in work or further study 15 months on
60%
in highly skilled work or study
90%
continue past their first year
90%
find their work meaningful
50%
say work fits their future plans
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in education & teaching · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 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 – £30,000After 3 years LEO
£20,000
£17,850 – £25,200After 5 years LEO
£23,500
£21,250 – £30,000national 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.
75 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
65% working10% working and studying0% in further study60% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 30; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. 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 Education & Teaching courses at the same study level.
This course £23,500Peer median £25,000Middle 50% £22,500–£30,000
35th percentile
Compared with 515 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 ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 25% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
- Teaching and Childcare Support OccupationDiscover Uni category · 25% of published destinations
- Welfare and housing associate professionalsSOC 2020 322 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,937
- 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
- Welfare ProfessionalsSOC 2020 246 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £39,047
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: 35; response rate: 55%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
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 Outcomes70%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow 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.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Schools & academy trusts
- Local authorities
- Education charities
- Tutoring providers
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Education & Teaching graduates.
Education SEN MentorMacIntyreEducation Recruitment ConsultantAcademicsEducation Delivery Consultant - Fast Paced, Dynamic Organisation - WorcestershireAP EducationEducation Trustee - Lead Youth Careers & Outdoor LearningRacing to SchoolEducation Recruitment Consultant - Build Futures & Earn UncappedProtocol EducationEducation Recruitment Consultant: Grow Your Desk & ImpactEducation AssetsLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
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
75% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 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 8.6 out of 10: NSS 94% · in work or study 75% · continued 90%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of the West of England, Bristol
All students36,380
International24.8%
Aged 25+34.8%
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 University of the West of England
547 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 188Anti Social Behaviour 89Shoplifting 50Other Theft 43Criminal Damage Arson 37
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 UWE Bristol from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by UWE Bristol; 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
This course lists IELTS (Academic) 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each component). 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 UWE Bristol’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 UWE Bristol and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at UWE Bristol
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is historically accessible, accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 112 - 127 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by UWE Bristol. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Education graduates from this provider, 75% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 60% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £26,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
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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