BA Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Competencies
About this course
BA (Hons) in Children, Schools & Families (Graduate Practitioner), focusing on early childhood from birth to eight years. Core topics include Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Global & Comparative Perspective. Placements are included across all three years in settings such as nurseries, primary schools, and health and social care, working towards Graduate Practitioner Competencies. A supervised research project at Level 6 provides the opportunity to carry out a small-scale study in the field.
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Entry requirements
Standard offer: 96 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points . Accelerate offer: 80 UCAS Tariff points. Find out more about BCU Accelerate . Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Successful candidates will be required to obtain a satisfactory occupational health check and an enhanced DBS check via the Faculty prior to enrolling on this course. You will receive details of what is required if you are offered a place on the course. If you have any queries please refer to DBS Frequently Asked Questions or contact admissions@bcu.ac.uk . In addition to the A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements below, applicants for this course also need GCSE English Language or English Literature at grade C/4 or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests. A Level: 96 UCAS Tariff points from three A Levels Grades CCC (or equivalent) Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate): 96 UCAS Tariff points Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications T Level: Pass overall (C or above on the core) All subjects accepted Access to HE Diploma: Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3 Accepted subjects: Education subjects preferred but other subjects also considered OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 96 UCAS Tariff points NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 96 UCAS Tariff points Accepted subjects: Childcare and Education; Children and Young People's Workforce; Health and Social Care; Early Years Education and Care. Other subjects also considered. WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 96 UCAS Tariff points Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s) Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers): Minimum of 96 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher: 96 UCAS Tariff points from three A
What students say
Based on about 31 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 97%
- Assessment and feedback: 96%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 86%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 93%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 65 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 81%
- Left higher education: 17%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 2%
What graduates do next
Based on about 57 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 66%
- Working and studying: 9%
- Further study: 6%
- Unemployed: 9%
Most common jobs
- Welfare Professionals: 34%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 16%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 11%
- Teaching Professionals: 9%
- Administrative occupations: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 95%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 80%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 195 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 89%
- East of England: 1%
- London: 4%
- South West: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 45 students who started
- A levels: 95%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Children and Families
- The Developing Child
- Observing, Assessing, and Planning for Babies and Young Children
- Contemporary Perspectives of Childhood
- Transitions and Change in Early Childhood
- Children’s Stories
- Preparing to Research
- Safeguarding and Child Protection
- Child Health and Well-Being
- Playful and Creative Approaches to the Curriculum
- Digital Childhood
- Creativity and the Arts in the Early Years
- Children’s Rights and Child Voice
- Towards Employability
- Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Attachment-informed Practice
- Leadership and Management
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Competencies at Birmingham City University earn?
The median salary is £27,500 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £27,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,000 and £36,500. The £27,500 median after five years is £5,000 more than the UK median for Childhood and youth studies.
What do graduates of BA Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Competencies at Birmingham City University do next?
81% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Competencies at Birmingham City University?
95% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Competencies at Birmingham City University?
The typical offer is CCC at A level. The average entrant had 99 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Competencies at Birmingham City University?
81% of students continued into their second year, and 17% left higher education.