BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year

Entry year:
2025/26
Start date:
September
Study mode:
Full-time
Course duration:
4 years
Campus:
Mount Pleasant
UCAS Code:
H118
Grades/points required:
DDD-CDD (72-80)

Why study this course with LJMU?

  • 94% of students surveyed said the teaching staff on our education courses were good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024)
  • 93% of students surveyed said academic support on our childhood and youth studies courses was good or very good (National Student Survey 2024)
  • Stepping stone to a wide range of careers in teaching, social work, health and childcare
  • Extensive work-related learning opportunities including the chance to undertake international work experience
  • Supportive and inspirational tutors rated as excellent in the National Student Survey
  • Experience the diverse traditional and non-traditional early childhood settings
  • Tailor your studies to your own interests through optional modules, research and work-related practice
  • You will be taught in the dedicated Education Building based in the University's Mount Pleasant campus

About your course

The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies at Liverpool John Moores University offers a multi-disciplinary approach to working with children and their families. An exploration of different perceptions of children and childhood opens up an exciting range of career opportunities.

Foundation Year

The Foundation Year offers a supportive environment to develop confidence with academic study skills and also introduces you to key subject specific content relating to your degree pathway. This is a four year degree programme. We particularly welcome applicants with non-standard qualifications.

A child's first experiences have an impact far beyond those initial few years of life. Poverty, poor education, child abuse, as well as the positive experiences of creativity and play, have an enormous influence on a child's development.

The acquisition of knowledge and understanding of early childhood studies is progressive, and nurtures the development of a critically reflective perspective. The overarching themes and defining principles of the programme are education, social welfare, health and wellbeing.

Early Childhood Studies explores and deals with all aspects of society, which impact on young people and their families. The course focuses on the development, growth, health and well-being of young children from 0-8 years old from both the perspective of the child and the adult. Different perceptions of children and childhood are considered and you are also encouraged to examine the wider socio-economic and political factors that influence children at all levels. You are provided with a sound theoretical foundation drawn from different disciplines such as psychology and sociology.

We have several international links, and there are opportunities to visit various countries as part of your course and also undertake a work-related placement abroad.

We have a student volunteer scheme in schools and other placements, so that you can gain the experience and practice you need before embarking on further study or a career.

The course gives you enormous scope to tailor your studies to your own interests through optional modules, research and work-related practice.

Additional course costs

There are no costs for off-site day trips embedded into Core and Option modules. Optional international placements will have a cost attached.

 

"I came wanting to be a teacher but the ECS degree has helped me to develop a holistic understanding of the work I could do with babies, young children and their families" Sarah Harris, graduate

 

Course modules

What you will study on this degree

Further guidance on modules

Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.

Core modules

Preparing for Academic Success
30 credits

This module provides you with the integrated skills required for academic success. It will enhance your knowledge and understanding of the terminology and expectations associated with higher education study and you will learn to identify, understand and demonstrate academic research, writing and referencing techniques.

Module topics will likely (but not wholly) include the following:

  • Higher Education terminology and expectations
  • Sourcing appropriate academic reading and resources
  • Independent learning skills
  • Academic Reading skills
  • Writing skills
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Referencing skills
  • Digital competency skills

Investigating Liverpool
30 credits

This module will provide you with the necessary skills to develop a Liverpool focussed research project from your subject perspective. You will identify and locate relevant source material; outline how this source material can be used as a foundation for your research project and write a coherent piece of academic work which evidences understanding of Liverpool. The module will help you to develop an independent approach to learning and is likely (but not wholly)  to address the following:

  • Scouse exceptionalism and the portrayal of scousers
  • Hillsborough
  • Slavery
  • Migrant Liverpool
  • Liverpool riots
  • Liverpool culture
  • Educating Liverpool
  • Policing Liverpool
  • Media representations of Liverpool

Core modules

Holistic Child Development
20 credits

This module aims to develop your knowledge of a range of theoretical approaches and perspectives on early childhood development. Specifically, you will acquire an understanding of the developmental influences on the individual child within the wider context, considering the circumstances and environment that impact on child development.

Early Childhood Studies; Student Enquiry (Part 1)
20 credits

This module enables you to explore and build your understanding of the multi-disciplinary nature of Early Childhood Studies and differing perceptions and perspectives on babies, young children and childhood.

Pedagogical Approaches (Part 1) - Working with Babies, Young Children and Families
20 credits

This module aims to introduce you to the philosophical and practical ideologies associated with key historical pioneers. This introduction will support an awareness of the need to recognise and challenge inequalities in society and to embrace an anti-bias approach when working with babies, young children and their families.

Perspectives of Children and Childhood
20 credits

This module enables you to develop your knowledge and understanding of children and childhood from a range of perspectives, and to reflect on sociological, historical, cultural, philosophical economic and political influences.

Early Childhood Studies; Student Enquiry (Part 2)
20 credits

This module enables you to develop your understanding of key issues, perspectives, concepts and their inter-relationships within Early Childhood Studies through exploratory and research visits, observation, reflection, peer discussion, guided learning and self-directed independent learning. You will also develop your core academic skills.

Pedagogical Approaches for Sustainability (Part 2)
20 credits

This module builds upon Pedagogical Approaches (Part 1) - Working with Babies, Young Children and Families. You will be introduced to the research area surrounding Education for Sustainability and develop your understanding of the origins of the research and philosophy.

Core modules

Deconstructing Child Development
20 credits

This module provides you with an opportunity to deconstruct childrens development using an ecological approach. You will learn to analyse key factors that lead to individual differences, investigate the work of key theorists from within the child development discipline, and scrutinise an ecological approach to understanding children's development.

Student Enquiry into Research Methods
20 credits

This module provides you with a knowledge of a range of approaches to researching subjects within Early Childhood Studies and to support preparation for placement in semester two. You will be supported to understand how your research inquiry from Level 4 can be developed for your block placement experience. You will be supported to write a literature review as a sound foundation for your inquiry into research methods.

Global inequalities and unequal childhoods
20 credits

The aim of this module is to provide you with opportunities to explore global inequalities and unequal childhoods in a range of countries. You will examine complexities of childrens' lives globally using key theories and concepts including sociological, philosophical, political-economic and postcolonial theory. This module will enable you to contest and problematise globalised discourses of childrens' lives with reference to rights, participation and policy.

Professional Project Enquiry
20 credits

The aim of this module is to develop your knowledge of research methods, as appropriate to Early Childhood Studies, and how they are applied in the field. This module will engage you in reflections on the block placement and support the development of student inquiry. You will engage in the processes necessary to write an academic research proposal for consideration and adaptation at Level 6.

Optional modules

Exploring Health Literacies within Early Childhood
20 credits

This module aims to prepare you to empower children to make informed decisions about their own health and, where possible, to act upon those decisions. You will learn to evaluate the social determinants of health, to assess the concept of health literacy in a way that is developmentally appropriate, and to formulate an argument related to health literacy for babies and young children.

Professional Approaches within Early Childhood Studies
20 credits

This module provides you with a knowledge of social policy in the UK and how it relates to professional practice with babies, young children and families. You will learn to analyse social policy and investigate the ways in which this impacts on the lives of young children and their families. You will also scrutinise different professional approaches taken in the application of policy when working with babies, young children and families.

Exploring Curricula in Early Childhood; Pedagogical approaches for sustainability
20 credits

This module will build upon your knowledge and skills gained from the level 4 Early Childhood Studies modules. The aim of the module is to explore the four National Early year's curricula within the UK and to develop an awareness of pedagogical approaches for learning. You will engage with historical and current developments in relation to Education for Sustainability within Early Childhood Education.

Study Semester Abroad - ECS
60 credits

The module intends to provide you with an opportunity to spend a semester of study with an approved overseas partner that will replace one semester of your LJMU programme at level 5.

Core modules

Exploring approaches: Working Together to Support Children and Families
20 credits

This module enables you to critically analyse the mechanisms that exist in society to support babies, young children and their families, and to encourage you to reflect critically upon concepts, issues, theoretical models and working practices in relation to the complexity of multi-agency working. A review of historical and current policies will support you to engage with examples of professional practices.

Dissertation Research in Early Childhood Studies
40 credits

This module aims to provide you with appropriate skills and understanding to initiate, design, conduct and report an early childhood studies research project that is either empirical based research or library-based research under appropriate supervision. You will demonstrate a highly developed ability to recognise its theoretical, practical and methodological implications and limitations, and you will be aware of the complexity of ethical principles and issues.

International Approaches; Comparative Early Childhood Education and Care
20 credits

This module enables you to develop a critical perspective of the influences on international principles and practice within early childhood work. You will learn to critically examine and compare systems in a range of countries with reference to global contexts. Issues such as ethnocentric bias in research and practice, and reliability and validity of cross national data will be examined.

Optional modules

Working Therapeutically with Children and Families
20 credits

This module aims to provide you with a knowledge and understanding of therapeutic practice with children and their carers in the UK. You will develop the ability to critically analyse what reflective practitioners offer therapeutically, in a variety of contexts, appropriate to the needs of children, their carers, organisations and society. We will also discuss therapeutic theory and practice for working within early childhood.

Social Work within Early Childhood Studies
20 credits

This module aims to provide you with a knowledge of social work with children and families in the UK. You will develop the ability to analyse the context in which social work with children and families takes place in the UK, to critically assess guiding principles relating to social work practice with children and families, and to evaluate key challenges facing contemporary social work in the UK.

Global Dimensions: Sustainable Futures Across Early Years Curricula
20 credits

The aim of the module is to bring together two critical areas of research in order to explore and extend research inquiries around relationships and responsibilities that can shape more sustainable futures. Research studies into early childhood education have confirmed the importance of these formative years in the formulation of identity, willingness to learn, as well as engagement with the world. You will develop your understanding of Education for sustainability considered within this module and you are encouraged to engage in systematic personal inquiry in order to document your understanding of the terminology from an international perspective.

Your Learning Experience

Excellent facilities and learning resources

We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.

The course aims to produce graduates who are able to think in a critical and analytical manner, reflecting upon issues that relate to education and community issues in the widest context. The course is designed to develop the transferable skills that will allow you to operate creatively in an increasingly complex world.

It is this ability coupled with the transferable skills that are taught, such as the ability to evaluate and analyse information, people skills, computer literacy, oral and written skills and the ability to work effectively in demanding contexts, that make our graduates highly employable.

Teaching on the course is via a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, use of ICT, online activities, placement experience and independent learning.

Work-related Learning

The course has a strong element of work-related and research related learning and you will have plenty of opportunities to visit a variety of early childhood related settings, including traditional, non-traditional, informal, creative and culturally diverse experiences. You might also want to get an international perspective on your future career through work experience within education, social care or health.

Work experience is a vital element of your studies as it gives you a chance to put into practice what you have learnt during the course, and gain new skills as well. It will also add real value to your CV, giving you a head start when you come to negotiate your way around the competitive job market.

Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support

You will be assigned a personal tutor who will support you with your academic and personal progress throughout the course. This kind of one-to-one support is particularly useful for discussing course-related issues or concerns you may have during your studies.

Library Services teams also offer a fantastic range of support and guidance services, including online help guides, online chat facility and on-site help.

Our dedicated Student Advice and Wellbeing (SAW) team provide a wide range of services including accommodation advice, disability support, counselling and money matters.

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

We recognise that all students perform differently depending on how they are being assessed, which is why we use a combination of assessment methods. Coursework may therefore include essays, reports, presentations, newspapers, posters, diaries and a dissertation. Exams are limited to some main core modules.

Constructive feedback is important in helping you to identify your strengths and areas where you may need to put in more work, so this will be provided regularly as you progress through each module.

100%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for Early Childhood Studies (Full time) at Liverpool John Moores University, over two years

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

See course data

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Where you will study

Based in the Education Building in the heart of the Mount Pleasant campus, the School of Education features a wide range of cutting-edge facilities, including a pedagogy room, lecture rooms, computing facilities and a nearby outdoor learning zone. Students also benefit from independent study spaces, a close-by cafeteria and library, and access to student welfare and support.

Course tutors

I have loved my three years on the Early Childhood Studies degree and I have developed a critical awareness which will help me immensely during my PGCE year

Career paths

Local authorities, health authorities, charities, housing associations, children's centres and day nurseries have all employed LJMU graduates in positions such as childcare project managers, family support workers, nursery officers, play coordinators, out-of-school project managers, residential care workers, researchers, disability coordinators and early years officers.

Many of our students also apply for further postgraduate study towards professional qualifications in, for example, social work or within the early years sector.

Early Childhood Studies together with a PGCE also provides an alternative route into teaching.

Postgraduate Teacher Training

LJMU graduates who meet the entry criteria are guaranteed an interview for your chosen PGCE course.

Our PGCEs carry Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), so after successfully completing the one-year course, you will be qualified to teach the age range of students covered in your programme.

As well as our Core PGCE courses, we also offer salaried and non-salaried school-led courses with our partner schools across the North West.

Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service

A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.

Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website.

Tuition fees and funding

Foundation first year:
£5,760
Second and subsequent years:
£9,535

Fees

The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus Wi-Fi.

Financial Support

The University offers a range of scholarships to support students through their studies. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist funding pages, including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.

Additional Costs

In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:

  • Accommodation
  • Travel costs including those for placements, visas and travel for studying abroad and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
  • Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire

The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in accordance with any changes to the maximum allowable fees set by the UK Parliament. In the event of such a change, any fee increase will be subject to a maximum cap of 10% of the total course cost as originally stated at the time of your offer.

Full-time per year:
£17,750

International Scholarships and payment plans

Liverpool John Moores University is committed to supporting international students by providing a range of scholarships and flexible payment plans to help students manage their tuition fees.

Scholarships

LJMU provides a variety of undergraduate scholarships to support international students. Scholarships are available to self-funded students who have accepted their offer and met all the conditions outlined in their offer letter. Students must also demonstrate that they can cover living costs, travel, and other expenses associated to studying at the university.

All self-funded international students are eligible for an automatic scholarship worth up to £4,000. For more details and to view our full list of scholarships, visit the international scholarship webpages.

Deposit

All students must pay a £5,000 deposit before they can receive their CAS letter.

For more information view our deposit page.

Tuition Fee Payment Plan

After paying their £5,000 deposit, students have the option to pay their fees in full or in three equal instalments minus any internal scholarships and discounts. There are two payment options available for international students. You can either pay your tuition fees in full before enrolment or opt for a payment plan. With the payment plan, you can pay your fees in three instalments after making your £5,000 deposit. The first instalment is due before enrolment.

All payments should be made through Flywire. Full details can be found in the How to Pay Guide.

Early Bird Tuition Fee discount

We are excited to introduce a £500 Early Payment Discount to all self-funded international students. Eligible self-funded students who pay their fees by the required deadlines will get a discount which will be automatically deducted from the 1st year of tuition fees.

To see the required deadlines please visit the webpage

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

Grades/points required from qualifications: DDD-CDD (72-80)

Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth by visiting the UCAS Tariff Calculator.

Qualification requirements

GCSEs and equivalents

Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics/ Numeracy.
 
GCSE Equivalences accepted:
• Key Skills Level 2 in English/Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/English
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number

A levels

DDD-CDD

BTECs

Extended Diploma: MMP

Access awards

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications. Pass overall with a minimum of 72 points

International Baccalaureate

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

OCR Cambridge Technical

Extended Diploma: MMP

Irish awards

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

T levels

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.

International requirements

IELTS

6.0 overall with no component below 5.5, taken within two years of the course start date.
 
https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/international-entry-requirements

Find your country

Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.

How to apply

Securing your place at LJMU

UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.

A DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service - formerly CRB) will be required after you start the course for placements that involve working with children and/or vulnerable adults.

Your university life

From accommodation and academic support to clubs and societies. Find out what LJMU has to offer.

Talk to our students

Connect with a current LJMU student for advice and guidance on university life, courses and more.

See what our students are saying

At LJMU we want you to know you're making the right choice by studying with us. You can see what our students are saying about their experience with us through their reviews on the following websites:

The university reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the university. Where this does happen, the university operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.