Children’s Learning and Development BA (Hons)
UCAS code: XL77
Dive into the rewarding role of working with children aged 5-11 to support their learning in schools and other education settings. Unravel the concept of children’s rights and explore their social and emotional learning and development.
Overview
| Course length: | 3 years full-time |
|---|---|
| Start dates: | September 2024 September 2025 |
| Location: | Edge Hill University |
| Example offers: | BCC-BBC (A Level) or DMM (BTEC) View full entry criteria |
| Subject(s): | Education and Teaching |
| Faculty: | Education |
| Department: | Primary and Childhood Education |
Be inspired to work in education and support children in their learning and development. Our innovative course challenges your thinking and provides a comprehensive understanding of children and childhood between the ages of 5 and 11.
Analyse different academic approaches from history, politics and philosophy to psychology and sociology. Unpack the complexities and challenges of how children live, develop and learn. We’ll use real-life case studies to cover an international perspective on children, childhood and education.
Discover the influences on children’s learning and how technology can enhance their development. With connections to over 2,000 organisations we’re well-placed to offer work-based learning opportunities in zoos, museums and more. So, you’ll stand out to employers with well-rounded experience in the field.
Graduate from our children’s learning and development degree as a children’s practitioner that’s skilled in listening carefully and communicating effectively.
Course features
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International students can apply
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Work placement opportunity
What you'll study
Explore middle childhood when children develop independence and an individual identity. We’ll introduce safeguarding and current legislation to guide you during placements and your future career. Through a combination of theory and practical learning you’ll take responsibility for your ongoing professional development. Examine the impact of educational research and study how to use structured arguments to support your reasoning. Engage with the material in active debate during the Researching Contemporary Issues module.
Discover how to develop authentically supportive relationships with parents. Examine the importance of information sharing and build your professional development through work-based learning. We’ll explore how to work with children and their families, considering the diverse and changing nature of society, and you’ll analyse theories of stereotyping, prejudice and unconscious bias. Choose between optional modules that explore the diversity of educational opportunities outside a traditional classroom, or current theories and debate around the rise in therapeutic education.
What makes a ‘family’? Question the behaviour, relationships and roles within families. You’ll interrogate dynamics and consider the changing forms of a family unit. Understand inclusion within schools through legislation and policy frameworks. We’ll address disability, sexuality, family origins, social deprivation and mental health. Evaluate the role of adults in supporting children’s learning and development in different contexts. Learn about cognitive load theory and how to observe effectively when assessing and evaluating learning experiences.
Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course curriculum. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by timetabling requirements. Some restrictions on optional module choice or combinations of optional modules may apply.
How you'll study
You will learn through a combination of taught sessions, guided and autonomous independent study, and the use of the virtual learning environment, You will typically spend three full days each week on campus and will benefit from the effective integration of new and emerging technologies which are designed to enhance your learning potential.
There will be the opportunity to engage in work-based learning, closely matched to your career aspirations, in each year of study. This will enable you to make strong connections with employers from an early stage of your degree. You will be supported in choosing from the different types of placement settings available. These include schools, alternative education settings, and spaces with an education focus at their centre, such as museums, galleries, environmental centres, zoos, heritage sites and outdoor learning centres, as well as beach schools and forest schools. There may also be opportunities to engage in voluntary work in the UK or overseas.
How you'll be assessed
You will be assessed through a variety of learner-centred approaches, from written assignments, presentations, group work and a research project to the creation of online resources, videos, blogs, electronic portfolios and practice-based tasks. Comprehensive and effective feedback on your work will clearly articulate targets for progression and improvement.
There are no formal written examinations as part of the current assessment methods on this programme.
Who will be teaching you
You will be taught and guided by a team of highly experienced, research active experts who have extensive professional and academic experience.
The programme team have expertise in a variety of areas including children’s learning, children’s rights, inclusion and education across the age phase from birth to the end of adolescence. They will guide you in developing your academic writing and encourage you to shape and reflect on your learning journey.
Entry criteria
Entry requirements
Typical offer 104-112 UCAS Tariff points. No specific subjects are required.
If you accept a formal offer from Edge Hill University you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure indicating that you meet the mandatory criteria of ‘Clearance to Work with Children and/or Vulnerable Adults’. Further information will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.
Example offers
| Qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| A Level | BCC-BBC. |
| BTEC Extended Diploma (or combination of BTEC QCF qualifications) | Distinction, Merit, Merit (DMM). |
| T Level | Overall grade of Merit. |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | We are happy to accept IB qualifications which achieve the required number of UCAS Tariff points. |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 45 credits at Level 3, for example 9 credits at Distinction and 36 credits at Merit or 15 credits at Distinction and 30 credits at Merit. The required total can be attained from various credit combinations. |
Please note, the above examples may differ from actual offers made. A combination of A Level and BTEC awards may also be accepted.
If you have a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent), there is no maximum number of qualifications that we will accept UCAS points from. This includes additional qualifications such as Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), AS Levels that haven't been continued to A Level, and General Studies AS or A Level awards.
English language requirements
International students require IELTS 6.0, with a score no lower than 5.5 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.
If your current level of English is half a band, one band, or one-and-a-half bands lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.
How to apply
Apply full-time
Read our guide to applying through UCAS to find out more about the application process.
International
Please see our international student pages for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.
Please note, this course is now closed to international applications for 2024 entry.
Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.
Call our Clearing helpline on 0800 028 6677, Monday to Friday from 9am - 5pm or complete our Clearing Application Form and get the guidance you need. Want to know more about Clearing? view our Complete Guide to Clearing 2024.
Apply through Clearing
Facilities
Housed in a state-of-the-art £9million building, the Faculty of Education enjoys a stunning setting from both its lakeside and piazza buildings.
Facilities in the lakeside building include a 300-seat lecture theatre, five well-equipped ICT suites, and 18 teaching rooms complete with the latest technology. The lakeside building is also home to a popular vegan and vegetarian cafe where students can meet to socialise and discuss their studies.
The nearby piazza building offers modern facilities including a lecture theatre and a number of seminar rooms.
Where you'll study
Faculty of Education
Finance
Tuition fees
UK Full-Time
£9,250
a year
International
£16,500
a year
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.
Financial support
Subject to eligibility, UK students joining this course can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the Government to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students enrolling on the course may also be eligible to apply for additional maintenance loan funding to help with living costs.
Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships, which celebrate the determination, commitment and achievement of our students. Many of our scholarships are awarded automatically. There are some however, where you will need to be involved in an application or nomination process. To find out more about our scholarships and check your eligibility, please visit our dedicated scholarships pages.
Money Matters
Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students, together with details of how to apply for potential funding.
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). If you are an EU student who does not have settled or pre-settled status, or are an international student from a non-EU country, please see our international student finance pages.
Your future career
Graduates of our children’s learning and development degree are prepared to support children aged 5-11 in various settings. Some may find themselves in schools, museums, private education and third sector in charities or community groups.
Past students have found the placement opportunities helpful in making decisions about the path their future careers may take. You could find yourself working in:
- child mentoring
- school liaison
- pastoral and family support
- the NHS
- family services in local authorities
- charities
- special schools or alternative provision
This degree is a solid foundation for those wanting to move onto postgraduate studies in early years or primary teacher training to gain Qualified Teacher Status. It’s also an excellent springboard for a Masters in education, child psychology, mental health and wellbeing or social work.
