BA Early Childhood Studies with Foundation
About this course
BA (Hons) in Childhood and Youth Studies and Psychology, examining how children develop within social, educational and psychological contexts. Core topics include Research Methods, Policy Analysis, Communication & Writing, and Ethics & Professional Practice. The course includes work placements in early years settings and concludes with a supervised research dissertation. Professional recognition of practice is available as an optional route alongside the degree.
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
GCSE: English and Mathematics at Grade 4/C or equivalent. A level: 32 points from a minimum of two A levels. BTEC National Diploma: PPP. BTEC National Diploma modules: If you hold a BTEC qualification, it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information, we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application. Access courses: Pass an Access to Higher Education Diploma (preference to education/ social science/ health and social care, but all considered). T level: Pass overall with D or E on the core. Any subject may be considered. International Baccalaureate: 24 points. Other qualifications: Other combinations and non-A level qualifications are also considered.
What students say
Based on about 17 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 94%
- Assessment and feedback: 94%
- Academic support: 98%
- Organisation and management: 90%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 88%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Further study: 25%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 35%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 30%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Teaching and Childcare Associate Professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 100%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 85%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 60 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 3%
- South East: 3%
- South West: 93%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Academic Foundations
- Independent Project
- Rethinking Education: Inequality, Systems, and Social Contexts
- Storying Childhood: Creating and Exploring Children’s Stories
- Understanding Development; Biology and Psychology
- Politics for Equality
- Places and Spaces for Learning and Playing
- Children in Society
- Multi Professional Perspectives
- An Introduction to Early Childhood Studies and Practice
- Developing Communication in the Early Years
- Work Based Learning (in a setting with young children and/or families)
- Perspectives on Child Development
- Research Matters
- Working with a Range of Professionals
- Work Based Learning Plus (in a setting with young children and/or families)
- Child Well-being in the Developing World Challenge Module
- Sustainable Education in Action - Challenge Module
- Learning Outside the Classroom
- Adults' Concepts of Childhood: their impact on the past and present treatment of children
- Enabling Environments for Young Children's Learning
- Research Dissertation
- Education for the 21st century: Global, Sustainable and Wild
- Current Issues in Early Childhood: Politics, Welfare and Society
- Wellbeing and the 'Good Life'
- Children and Risk
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Early Childhood Studies with Foundation at University of Plymouth earn?
The median salary is £33,000 after 15 months, £29,000 after 3 years, £35,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,500 and £38,500. The £35,000 median after five years is £12,500 more than the UK median for Childhood and youth studies.
What do graduates of BA Early Childhood Studies with Foundation at University of Plymouth 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 at University of Plymouth?
90% 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 at University of Plymouth?
The typical offer is 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 57 UCAS points.
Does BA Early Childhood Studies with Foundation at University of Plymouth include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Early Childhood Studies with Foundation at University of Plymouth?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.