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Early Childhood Studies and Sociology BA (Hons)

UCAS code: LL53

Study the perceptions and realities of children and early childhood. Explore how society works and changes and take part in field trips in the UK and Europe to see these ideas from different perspectives around the world.

Overview

Course length: 3 years full-time
6 years part-time
Start dates: September 2023
September 2024
Location: Edge Hill University
Example offers: BCC-BBC (A Level) or DMM (BTEC) View full entry criteria
Subject(s): Sociology and Social Sciences
Faculty: Arts and Sciences
Department: History, Geography and Social Sciences
Two students, with an open textbook in front of them, make notes in a classroom in Creative Edge.

Immerse yourself in the social, political, cultural, and economic contexts of early childhood in our early childhood studies and sociology degree. We’ll look at the development of children and youth from both an academic point of view and as your potential career destination.

You’ll also analyse social trends and study sociological developments in culture, politics, and throughout history. Learn to understand the social structures and institutions we live our lives within. Field trips to the UK and Europe will bring the subject to life as you see how the theory applies in different situations around the world.

Our early childhood studies and sociology degree combines two deeply related subjects. By studying both, you’ll develop a strong understanding of society and be open to a range of potential careers. You’ll graduate with transferable skills – like reporting, presenting, and working independently or in a team – that will be useful in lots of roles.

Course features

  • International students can apply

  • Learn a language option available

  • Sandwich year option available

  • Studying abroad option available

  • Work placement opportunity

What you'll study

You’ll start the course learning about the core themes of early childhood studies and sociology. Topics include social and developmental psychology, perspectives of children and young people in society, social policy and welfare, political sociology, and cultural studies. We also offer an optional three-day field trip to London.

Compulsory modules:

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Introduction to Child Developmental and Social Psychology
Children and Young People in Society
Introduction to Social Policy and Welfare
Power in Society
Critical Issues in Sociology

One of:

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Sociology of the Everyday
Language 1

Year 2 is when you’ll build on the knowledge you’ve gained and learn how to apply it. You can study armed conflicts and political violence, contemporary perspectives on early childhood education and care, and class, culture and conflict in contemporary British society. We’ll also help you develop skills for your future career. This year has an optional field trip to Amsterdam where you’ll work in archives and hear from specialist speakers and organisations.

Compulsory modules:

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Broken Britain
Contemporary Perspectives on Early Childhood Education and Care

One of:

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Self-Directed Study
Work-based learning and Employability 1

One of:

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Children, Family and the State
Promoting Equality in Childhood
Representations of Childhood and Popular Culture

One of:

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Children, Food and Sustainability
States, Conflict and Political Violence
Language 2

Modules in Year 3 will give you more specialist knowledge. Our teaching team will use their cutting-edge research to inform your classes. Topics include terrorism, sexual desires, autism, socio-cultural analysis of a particular society and culture, as well as an exploration of issues in professional practice. You can also go on placement and on another field trip to a European city to explore its history, culture, politics, and social organisations.

Compulsory modules:

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Sociology of the Body and the Emotions
Contemporary Issues in the Early Childhood, Education and Care

One of:

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Social Work with Children, Young People and Families

Four of:

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Contemporary Theory, Policy and Practice in Education Services
Critical Autism Studies
Critical Perspectives on Children’s Health and Well-being
Critical Terrorism Studies
Issues of Professional Practice
European Field Trip
Work-based learning and Employability 2
Language 3

Optional modules 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

The main forms of course delivery are lectures and workshop seminars, including videos, presentations and small group work. You can choose to build a national and a European field trip into your optional studies. You will typically be required to attend for three full days per week.

Timetables for your first week are normally available at the end of August prior to enrolment in September. You can expect to receive your timetable for the rest of the academic year during your first week. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities.

How you'll be assessed

Course assessments, including the use of portfolios, essays, information retrieval exercises, seminar presentations and case studies have been creatively designed to encourage the potential of all students.

There are no formal written examinations as part of the current assessment methods on this programme.

Who will be teaching you

Our experienced staff have designed this course and our strong levels of student support ensure your time with us is an enjoyable, rewarding experience, underpinned by the extensive research activity and field experience of our team.

Members of the Departments of Social Sciences are at the forefront of teaching, research and publication in a number of areas including desire and sexuality, states, violence and terrorism, cultural and social theories and perspectives, culture and arts in society, professional practice, social work with children and families, education and youth issues.

Your degree will be supplemented by a series of research seminars and other talks. These will feature academic staff and visiting guest speakers from a range of professions and organisations.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

Typical offer 104-112 UCAS Tariff points. No specific subjects are required.

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

Apply online through UCAS

Read our guide to applying through UCAS to find out more about the application process.

Apply part-time

Apply directly to Edge Hill University

Complete our online application form if you want to study this course on a part-time basis.

International

Apply as an international student

Please see our international student pages for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.

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.

Did you know?

If you join a full time undergraduate degree at Edge Hill University, we will guarantee you the offer of a room in our halls of residence for the first year of your course.

Discover our accommodation

Facilities

Geosciences buildingThe Department of History, Geography and Social Sciences is based in the Geosciences building. The contemporary facilities combine with a friendly and supportive learning environment to ensure that your studies are a rich and rewarding experience.

The Geosciences building features a large lecture theatre, small group teaching rooms, IT facilities and smaller tutorial spaces. There is also a large social area which encourages a more informal and interactive style of learning.

Where you'll study

GeoSciences

Finance

Tuition fees

UK Full-Time

£9,250

a year

UK Part-Time

£77 per credit

for 360 credits

International

£15,500

a year

The UK tuition fee rate is subject to final Government approval for academic year 2023/24 entry. The University may administer a small inflationary rise in tuition fees, in line with Government policy, in subsequent academic years as you progress through the course.

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 funding to help with living costs.

Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students.

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

By studying two subjects you’ll expand your careers options.

Our early childhood studies graduates often work in the early years, private or voluntary sectors, in social services or for health and education authorities. Sociology graduates are working across the private, public and voluntary sectors in areas like:

  • social and health services
  • general administration and management
  • media and entertainment
  • retail and leisure

You might also want to carry on your studies with a postgraduate degree.

Course changes

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, however our courses are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.

Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of professional bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Track changes to this course

Discover Uni: Full-Time Study

Discover Uni: Part-Time Study

Download our course leaflet