Overview
Advance your knowledge of young children’s learning and develop your early years practice and professionalism. Explore areas of personal interest in early childhood education and care whilst also enhancing your research skills. There will also be opportunities to visit different early years settings.
Full description
If you have a degree in early childhood studies, pre-school education or a related subject, our MA offers a great opportunity to explore aspects of young children’s lives in more depth, examining current policies and practices to build on your existing knowledge. If that’s you, why not take this opportunity to boost your skills and knowledge? You’ll be able to link your newly-learned theories and research with your practice from the start, boosting your contribution to your workplace and enhancing your career prospects. Taught by experienced tutors who are passionate about using insights from research to enhance the lives of young children and their families. The course focusses on early childhood education from birth until eight years old and you'll graduate with a valuable postgraduate qualification.
Aims
Careers
Are you working with children, or do you intend to work with children in the future? If so, our MA will enhance your career. It provides a highly relevant professional development opportunity for you whether you’re an early years or pre-school teacher, a manager in a childcare setting, a family support worker or an early years consultant. It’s also a great starting point if you’re looking for a career in academia and is a step towards a PhD or EdD.
Work placements
There are no formal work placements for this course. If you’re already working in an early years environment then you can immediately put your new skills and experience into practice. Our course also gives you the opportunity to visit different early years settings thanks to our links with local nurseries. If you’re interested in gaining experience as a researcher you may be able to get involved with research projects run by our Department of Education and the Early Childhood Research Group.
Modules & assessmentCore modules
- Educational and Social Research Methods
- Major Project
Optional modules
- Early Childhood - Principles, Practice & Professionalism
- Specialist Studies in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Professional Enquiry for Early Childhood
- National and International Policy Perspectives
You will take 3 optional modules from the above list. The availability of modules will depend on whether you are a full-time or part-time student and on when you start your course. More information and guidance will be available from your course leader. All modules are subject to change.Assessment
You’ll be assessed in a variety of ways including presentations and written assignments as well as group work and peer reviews. For each 30 credit module you’ll complete an assessment of 6,000 words or equivalent. Your Major Project will usually be a written research report of around 15,000 words.
