BA Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year
Canterbury Christ Church University
About this course
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year is a four-year undergraduate degree exploring child development, education, and professional practice from before birth to age eight. Core topics include Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. The course begins with a compulsory foundation year designed to build essential academic skills before progressing to degree-level study. The course starts with a foundation year featuring modules such as The Big Question, The Power of Arts, Humanities and Education, The Fearless Learner, Education; Transforming Lives, and Student Success Modules. Year 1 introduces foundational concepts through Introduction to Early Childhood: Children's Worlds, Growing Up: Development and Learning in Early Childhood, Keeping Children Safe: Safeguarding & Rights in Early Childhood, and Children at the Centre of Practice. Year 2 covers Constructing Childhoods: Identity, Community, Society, Play With Me! Creativity & Learning in Early Childhood, Interdisciplinary modules, and Employability Modules. The final year deepens professional understanding through Re-imagining Early Childhood for Innovative Practice, Children Thriving: Opportunities and Well-being, Voices in Early Childhood Research, and Leading the Future: Professionalism and Values in Early Childhood, alongside a major research project.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: DDE BTEC: MPP Access to HE: Pass 45 Credits 64 UCAS tariff points. DBS clearance A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is not an entry requirement. However if you take part in work-related experience, visits, or placements to settings where you are undertaking regulated activity, the setting may determine that a DBS check is required. You will be required to undergo a DBS check and arrange this through the University before undertaking the activity.
What students say
Based on about 14 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 97%
- Learning opportunities: 97%
- Assessment and feedback: 93%
- Academic support: 97%
- Organisation and management: 92%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 93%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 45 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 70%
- Left higher education: 25%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 53 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 69%
- Working and studying: 11%
- Further study: 6%
- Unemployed: 6%
Most common jobs
- Welfare Professionals: 29%
- Teaching and Childcare Associate Professionals: 12%
- Sales occupations: 9%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 9%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 70%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 90 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 11%
- South East: 73%
- South West: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 90%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- The Big Question
- The Power of Arts, Humanities and Education
- The Fearless Learner
- Education; Transforming Lives
- Student Success Modules
- Introduction to Early Childhood: Children's Worlds
- Growing Up: Development and Learning in Early Childhood
- Keeping Children Safe: Safeguarding & Rights in Early Childhood
- Children at the Centre of Practice
- Student Success Modules
- Constructing Childhoods: Identity, Community, Society
- Play With Me! Creativity & Learning in Early Childhood
- Interdisciplinary modules
- Employability Modules
- Re-imagining Early Childhood for Innovative Practice
- Children Thriving: Opportunities and Well-being
- Voices in Early Childhood Research
- Leading the Future: Professionalism and Values in Early Childhood
- Research in Early Childhood: The Major Project
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year at Canterbury Christ Church University earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £27,000 after 3 years, £29,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,500 and £37,500. The £29,000 median after five years is £6,500 more than the UK median for Childhood and youth studies.
What do graduates of BA Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year at Canterbury Christ Church University do next?
85% 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 Foundation Year at Canterbury Christ Church University?
97% 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 Foundation Year at Canterbury Christ Church University?
The typical offer is DDE at A level. The average entrant had 100 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year at Canterbury Christ Church University?
70% of students continued into their second year, and 25% left higher education.