Applied Early Years Studies BA (Hons)

Program Overview

This Applied Early Years Studies BA (Hons) degree is a one-year top-up course for professionals in the early years sector who hold a relevant Foundation degree. It integrates theory and practice, emphasizing research and leadership skills, preparing graduates for roles in early years education, teacher training, or other work with young children. Students benefit from partnerships with educational organizations and support from experienced faculty.

Program Outline

Applied Early Years Studies BA (Hons) - Detailed Extraction

Degree Overview:

This program is a top-up course designed for individuals already working in the early years sector who hold a relevant Foundation degree or equivalent. It allows students to complete their full Honours degree in just one year while applying their learning directly in their workplace. The course builds upon existing knowledge and skills, deepening understanding of child development and early years education from various professional perspectives.

Objectives:

The course aims to equip students with in-depth knowledge about early-years education and child development. Specifically, it focuses on:

• Providing in-depth knowledge about learning and development, particularly in the context of Early Learning from Birth to Five.
• Exploring early-years educational theory and practice, considering the needs of younger children (under three) and the role of adults in supporting their learning development.
• Developing leadership and management skills relevant to the early years sector, including the challenges of working with diverse groups of people.
• Enabling students to conduct specialized research in an area of interest relevant to their field, building upon their understanding of practice and potentially informing their future career.

Outline:

Content:

The program covers a range of topics related to early years education and child development, including:

• Early Learning from Birth to Five: This unit explores early-years educational theory and practice, focusing on the needs of younger children (under three) and the role of adults in supporting their learning development.
• Leading Practice in the Early Years: This unit introduces students to various aspects of team leadership, including the challenges of working with diverse groups of people.
• Research Methods in Applied Education: This unit introduces key aspects of the research process, including research methods, data collection tools, ethical research, and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.
• Research Project in Applied Early Years Studies: This unit allows students to pursue an area of interest relevant to their field in more depth.
They conduct specialized research under a supervisor, building upon their understanding of an area of practice that may be relevant to their future career.

Structure:

Individual Modules:

• Early Learning from Birth to Five: This unit explores early-years educational theory and practice, focusing on the needs of younger children (under three) and the role of adults in supporting their learning development.
• Leading Practice in the Early Years: This unit introduces students to various aspects of team leadership, including the challenges of working with diverse groups of people.
• Research Methods in Applied Education: This unit introduces key aspects of the research process, including research methods, data collection tools, ethical research, and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.
• Research Project in Applied Early Years Studies: This unit allows students to pursue an area of interest relevant to their field in more depth.
They conduct specialized research under a supervisor, building upon their understanding of an area of practice that may be relevant to their future career.

Assessment:

Methods:

• Formal essays
• Poster and PowerPoint presentations
• Research proposal
• Ethics approval documentation
• Dissertation report

Criteria:

• Assessments are applied to students' work or volunteer experience.
• The research-based dissertation allows students to carry out their own research project guided by a supervisor and serves as the culmination of their work on the degree throughout the academic year.

Faculty:

• The course leader is Malini Mistry, who has experience as a primary school teacher and has managed and led various areas of learning in the curriculum, including ICT, History, Geography, RE, and Early Years.

Unique Approaches:

• The program integrates theory and practice, allowing students to apply their learning directly in their workplace.
• The program emphasizes research, with a dedicated research project unit and a research-based dissertation.
• The program utilizes the University VLE (BREO) to facilitate interaction and discussion between students and between staff and students.

Careers:

Potential Career Paths:

• Practitioner leader within an early years setting
• Primary or early years teacher training (PGCE)
• Early years initial teacher training (EYITT)
• The degree allows graduates to contribute towards the provision of high-quality education and care for young children.

Outcomes:

• Graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed in a variety of roles within the early years sector.
• The program has well-established partnerships with over 500 schools and other associated organizations, providing students with access to a network of educational developments.
• Students benefit from the support of a personal tutor, subject and/or placement mentor, unit and course coordinator, and experienced library staff.
• Students have the opportunity to go on relevant field trips and attend educational conferences.
• The program includes regular visits by professionals from schools, academy chains, SEN schools, local education authorities, and other agencies involved in broadening students' understanding, such as the NHS (neurodiversity), museums, local faith leaders, and sports representatives.