Early Years Education MA
Join a community of passionate professionals shaping the future of education and enhancing life chances with our Master of Arts in Early Years Education.
Subject to revalidation
Overview
| Course length: | 1 year full-time 2 years part-time |
|---|---|
| Start dates: | September 2026 |
| Location: | Edge Hill University |
| Example offers: | 2:2 or above (or equivalent) in a related subject View full entry criteria |
| Subject(s): | Education and Teaching |
| Faculty: | Education |
| Department: | Early Years Education |
Designed for education professionals interested in enhancing life chances in diverse settings, this flexible and forward-thinking programme combines academic excellence with real-world impact. Through a blend of theory, research, and practical application, you’ll explore contemporary issues in early years education.
Our research-led teaching, informed by the latest educational developments, ensures that your learning is grounded in cutting-edge theory and evidence, delivered by internationally known, research-active staff. You’ll explore areas such as playful pedagogies, baby pedagogy, trauma-informed approaches, and international perspectives on early years education and gain expertise that directly enhances your practice and supports positive outcomes for children and families.
Flexible study options for full-time and part-time learners allow you to tailor your studies to fit your professional commitments, making it easier to balance career, life, and learning.
The programme also offers opportunities for professional networking and learning, connecting you with peers, industry experts, and practitioners, and helping you build a strong professional community to support your learning and practice.
Whether you’re looking for a pathway to doctoral study or to advance you career, transition into leadership, or deepen your professional practice, the MA in Early Years Education provides you with the tools, confidence, and insight to make a lasting difference.
Course features
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International students can apply
What you'll study
This MA in Early Years Education prepares you to lead, innovate, and make a real difference in educational settings.
You’ll explore how play drives learning. You’ll also develop practical skills and research expertise, enabling you to make evidence-based improvements in practice and lead with confidence. You’ll also get the chance to apply your learning to projects that influence outcomes for children and families.
Blending pedagogy, leadership, and research, this programme gives you the tools to advance your career and create lasting impact in early years education.
Throughout the programme, you will cover the following modules:
- The power of Playful Pedagogies (30 credits)
- Theories and Models of Educational Leadership (30 credits)
- Finance, Governance and Strategic Management (30 credits)
- Researching Education (30 credits)
- Real World Research and Impact in Education (60 credits)
How you'll study
The programme is available full-time and part-time. You will learn in various ways, including through lectures, workshops, group discussions, interactive learning technologies, and independent study tasks. You will be also be supported to complete your assessments through dedicated assessment preparation activities. Where appropriate, you will also benefit from engaging with industry partners and undertaking applied research projects which address real-world problems in your areas of interest.
How you'll be assessed
You will be assessed in various ways, including written coursework, presentations, portfolios, and reports.
Who will be teaching you
The programme is delivered by internationally-recognised research active staff who are experts in their field. Our staff also work closely with external partners in education and related sectors in local to global settings.
Entry criteria
An undergraduate degree (normally a 2.2 or above) in a field related to education or an equivalent qualification acceptable to Edge Hill University. Applicants, who come from a different academic background, which is equivalent to degree level, or have 2 or more years of relevant work experience, are welcome to apply. Or a Masters degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
English language requirements
You are expected to have English language proficiency minimally equivalent to overall 6.5 with no element below 6.0.
How to apply
Application links will be added when available.
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.
There’s plenty of opportunities to come take a look around campus. Attend one of our open days to see what life at Edge Hill University is all about.
Book an open day
Facilities
The Faculty of Education enjoys the enviable position of being one of the country’s leading providers of transformative education, training and research for the teaching and education workforce. Housed in a state-of-the-art £9m 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.
Our nearby piazza building houses our Research Hub and our Secondary and Further Education department including a lecture theatre and a number of seminar rooms.
Where you'll study
Finance
Tuition fees
UK Full-Time
£9,250
for the course
UK Part-Time
£51 per credit
for 180 credits
International
£17,000
for 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
Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students joining postgraduate courses at Edge Hill University.
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.
Tuition fees
International
£18,000
for 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.
Your future career
By studying this programme, you will be well-prepared for a wide range of professional roles in the education sector and beyond. The degree also provides a strong foundation for those wishing to progress to undertake further research, doctoral study, or pursue careers in international education and consultancy.
