BA Early Years Education and Care (with Graduate Practitioner Competencies)
About this course
BA (Hons) in Early Years Education and Care (with Graduate Practitioner Competencies), an early childhood studies and education degree examining child development and professional practice within the sector. Core topics include Research Methods and Ethics & Professional Practice. Students undertake at least 25 days of assessed placement work in every year of study across settings such as schools, nurseries, and community groups, meeting UK Department for Education standards for full and relevant training. The first year introduces foundational subjects through Academic and Professional Literacies 1, Child Development, Protection and Safeguarding in Context, Academic and Professional Literacies 2, Effective Communication and Teamwork, and Special Educational Needs and Inclusion. The second year builds competence via Early Years Theory: Introducing Pedagogies, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Questioning the Purpose: Philosophies of Childhood, Family and Education, Early Years Practice: Developing Pedagogies, Social Divisions, Inequities and Inclusion, and Learning as a Researcher. The final year covers advanced topics through Early Years Theory: Leading and Managing, Early Years Practice: Leading and Managing, and Trauma-Informed Practice. Students also choose from optional modules such as Contemporary Issues: Local, National, Global and Inclusive Practice: Local, National, Global, and complete a Dissertation.
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
Minimum entry requirements: 104 UCAS Tariff points; and 3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language.
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What students say
Based on about 15 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 97%
- Assessment and feedback: 89%
- Academic support: 97%
- Organisation and management: 92%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 89%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 70%
- Gained a higher qualification: 5%
- Left higher education: 15%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 15 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 30%
- Teaching Professionals: 25%
- Teaching and Childcare Associate Professionals: 10%
- Caring personal services: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 100%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 80%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 405 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 15%
- North West: 8%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 57%
- East Midlands: 8%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 1%
- South East: 2%
- South West: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 80%
- Other HE qualification: 15%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Academic and Professional Literacies 1
- Child Development
- Protection and Safeguarding in Context
- Academic and Professional Literacies 2
- Effective Communication and Teamwork
- Special Educational Needs and Inclusion
- Early Years Theory: Introducing Pedagogies
- Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Questioning the Purpose: Philosophies of Childhood, Family and Education
- Early Years Practice: Developing Pedagogies
- Social Divisions, Inequities and Inclusion
- Learning as a Researcher
- Early Years Theory: Leading and Managing
- Contemporary Issues: Local, National, Global
- Inclusive Practice: Local, National, Global
- Early Years Practice: Leading and Managing
- Trauma-Informed Practice
- Dissertation
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Early Years Education and Care (with Graduate Practitioner Competencies) at York St John University earn?
The median salary is £31,500 after 15 months, £24,500 after 3 years, £28,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £33,000. The £28,000 median after five years is £5,500 more than the UK median for Childhood and youth studies.
What do graduates of BA Early Years Education and Care (with Graduate Practitioner Competencies) at York St John University do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Early Years Education and Care (with Graduate Practitioner Competencies) at York St John University?
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 Years Education and Care (with Graduate Practitioner Competencies) at York St John University?
The average entrant had 117 UCAS points.
Does BA Early Years Education and Care (with Graduate Practitioner Competencies) at York St John University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on BA Early Years Education and Care (with Graduate Practitioner Competencies) at York St John University?
70% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.