Everything you need to know...
International: £13,250 per year
Student satisfaction
This course scored 93% for overall satisfaction in the 2018 National Student Survey.
Course summary
- Explore the varied approaches to early childhood education, including issues related to child development, inclusion, the health and culture of children under eight years, and safeguarding.
- Consider the significance and impact of children's friendships, forest schools, participation, gender and identity, inclusive practice, working with families, and young children's wellbeing.
- Look at the importance of play in children's lives and development.
- Study a course with exceptional graduate recruitment rates — 100% of our previous students are now in employment or further study.
You can follow your own particular interests in early childhood such as understanding looked-after children, alternative environments for play and learning, being creative, and therapeutic approaches to working with children and young people.
Student view
Watch student Emma Robertshaw talk about what it’s like to study this course.
How you learn
Your studies are led by a team of lecturers with extensive and varied professional experience in key services for children and families. Their backgrounds include social work, health visiting, teaching, social care and psychology. They are all involved in research, writing books and leading early years practice.
You will learn through
- self-managed learning
- group work learning
- lectures
- seminars
- workshops
- work based learning tasks and reflections
Course leaders and tutors
Applied learning
Work placements
Work based learning is integrated throughout the course. You can gain experience in a range of settings such as as schools, pre-schools, forest schools, child minders and outreach hubs.
You could also apply to take an international placement, working abroad with one of our partner institutions. We currently have arrangements with universities in Germany and Spain.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for June 2019.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- nurseries and pre-schools
- primary schools
- special schools
- further education colleges
- universities
- hospitals
- charities
- community centres
- community organisations
- third sector and private employers
A number of our students go on to study a postgraduate qualification in subjects including social work, education and research. Others progress to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) to qualify as teachers.
All students gaining an Honours degree are guaranteed an interview for a Hallam PGCE course subject to terms and conditions*.
*Candidates for PGCE courses will require GCSE grade C or Grade 4 in English Language and mathematics and science, or equivalent and usually a 2.2 degree or above. Candidates will also need to successfully complete the Professional Skills Tests in numeracy and literacy as designated by the DfE.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEntry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 104
This must include at two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example:
- BCC at A Level.
- DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels, EPQ and general studies.
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
- English Language or English Literature at grade C
- Maths at grade C
• Access - at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2 from a relevant Open College Network accredited course
• Grade B from CACHE Diploma Level 3, for example in Childcare and Education or Health and Social Care.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other skills, or equivalent.
You also need some understanding of young children (0-7 years old) gained from practical experience, equivalent to 75 hours or more, on a paid or voluntary basis.
Download our application experience guidelines for more information about experience requirements. This document includes important information about your application. Failure to provide sufficient information may result in your application being unsuccessful.
As you will work with children, you must complete a declaration of criminal convictions form. If you are successful in applying, a Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as Criminal Records Bureau) check is required.
We consider other qualifications from the UCAS tariff. Applicants with alternative qualifications or a combination of qualifications and work experience are also considered. We welcome applications from people of any age. Please contact us for further advice.
Meeting the qualifications on the entry criteria does not guarantee you a place. You should ensure that you submit a personal statement and reference as these are considered as part of the selection process. Guidelines on personal statements and references can be found on the UCAS website.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 at the point of enrolment.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page. You can also watch a video guide on how to apply.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
The modules for 2019/20 may vary to those given below, which are for academic year 2018/19
Year 1
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Childhood Stories | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Early Childhood In Context | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Early Experiences And The Developing Brain | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Reading For A Degree | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Researching Childhood | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: The Role Of The Adult In Children's Exploration And Learning | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Children As Communicators And Thinkers | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Pedagogy Of Play | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: The Politics Of Children's Services | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Undertaking Research | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Childhood And Loss | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Children And Young People With Medical Needs | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Children's Insider Perspectives Of Disability | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Forest Schools | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Inspiring And Engaging Children Through The School Curriculum | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: The Dilemma That Is Inclusion | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Working With Emotional Intelligence | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Working With Multilingual Children | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Final year
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Childhood In Global Contexts | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Ethical Leadership In Early Childhood | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Participation And Rights In Early Childhood | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Research Project | Credits: 40 |
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Alternative Environments For Play And Learning | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Autism: Challenging Ideas Of Challenging Behaviour | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Being Creative | Credits: 20 |
| Module: International Perspectives | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Therapeutic Approaches With Children And Young People | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Understanding Looked After Children | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Youth Justice | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Youth Work | Credits: 20 |
Fees and funding
Home/EU students
Our tuition fee for UK/EU students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2019/20 is £9,250 per year.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for international students starting full-time study in 2019/20 is £13,250 per year.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Childhood studies courses (PDF)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
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