Childhood and Early Years Studies Top Up BA (Hons)

Child development is a strong theme within the programme whereby you will explore children’s development in the context of their families, communities and wider society with a focus on the earliest years of a child’s life.   You will consider how early experiences can influence a child’s development and their later life experiences, including the role of attachment, early interaction and communication in helping young children to ‘make meaning’ from their experiences.

This Childhood and Early Years course explores issues involved in researching with children and young people and considers the challenges of ‘listening to the voice’ of the child, through an exploration of the theory and practice of effective engagement with them.  You will build a set of research skills that help you both understand critically the work of others and how to undertake your own research in an area of genuine interest to you.

There is a focus on your ‘employability’ throughout the programme and there are opportunities to develop workplace skills through observational fieldwork visits and placements.  Furthermore, the programme is designed to allow you to undertake opportunities to study and work abroad during year two.

You will be taught by a diverse team of research active academics from a range of professional and academic backgrounds including Early Years, Education, Youth Work, Social Work, Health, Guidance and Counselling and Disability Studies.  This gives you access to diverse knowledge and experience to draw upon when developing your own areas of interest.