Fees and key information

Course type
Undergraduate
UCAS code
X325
Entry requirements
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Why study this course?

This is a top-up version of our Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons) degree. A top-up degree is the final year (Level 6) of an undergraduate degree course and is for those who have a foundation degree, Higher National Diploma or equivalent qualification, or those wishing to study the final year of their degree in London.

This degree emphasises the links between theory and practice and highly values the development of professional and academic skills and knowledge.

As well as offering flexible study options the degree includes assessed practice, which means tutors visit and appraise you in professional settings. This appraisal is an important step towards gaining a license to practice.

The course draws focus on the study of children's play, development and learning from birth to six years old, as well as the implications this has for practice in early childhood settings. The course emphasises the links between theory and practice, it also highly values the development of professional and academic skills and knowledge.

This degree will equip you with the skills needed to work with children and families in a range of situations and to act as an advocate for their rights and wellbeing.

The Early Childhood Studies (Top-up) BA course team includes writers and researchers at the forefront of the field who are passionately committed to enabling, empowering and inspiring you to make transformational changes to your own life and to the lives of children, families and communities. We do this by valuing your individual experience and existing knowledge, embracing different opinions, ensuring that issues of equality and social justice underpin our work, engaging in continuous critical reflection and working with integrity, energy and enthusiasm.

First in London for student satisfaction

Our childhood and youth studies courses are ranked first in London for overall student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2025

First in London for teaching

Our Early Childhood Studies courses were ranked first in London and top five in the UK for teaching, according to the National Student Survey 2024

Study on a trailblazing degree course

This one of the first university courses of its kind in the UK, developed to meet the demand for well-qualified early childhood specialists working with young children and their families across all sectors

Course modules

The modules listed below are for the academic year 2024/25 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.

Year modules

Debating Children and Childhood

This module currently runs:
spring semester
spring semester - Monday morning
spring semester - Monday afternoon

(core, 15 credits)

This module aims to examine a range of theories relating to social constructions of childhood and the implications of this for Early Years practice. It will consider representations of children and childhood, including those in the media. It will consider a range of historical, cultural, philosophical and theoretical perspectives on early childhood such as feminism and post-modernism and including lived global childhoods and majority world perspectives

This module aims to enable students to:
 Examine social constructions of infancy and childhood and the implications of these for Early Years practice
 Critically evaluate how infants, children and childhood are represented
 Consider the global, cultural, historical and economic context of early childhood and how issues of discrimination and inequality impact on young children’s lives
 Examine contemporary debates in relation to early childhood

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Early Childhood Studies Project

This module currently runs:
all year (September start)
all year (September start) - Friday morning
all year (September start) - Friday afternoon

(core, 60 credits)

Students undertake a piece of independent research and study an area of particular interest in early childhood studies.

This module offers an opportunity for independent study and aims to enable students to:
 Develop further professionally by pursuing a line of study which arises out of an aspect of her/his work with young children.
 Extend professional competence by developing a critical understanding of the relationship between theory and early childhood practice
 Gain experience of the processes and methodological and ethical issues involved in conducting and completing a piece of research
 Design, execute and evaluate a small-scale research project and experience supervised independent study of an extended nature.
 Develop further professionally by pursuing a line of study which arises out of an aspect of her/his work with young children.
 Extend professional competence by developing a critical understanding of the relationship between theory and early childhood practice
 Develop some of the skills required for post graduate study

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Leading Practice with Children, Families and Professionals

This module currently runs:
all year (September start)
all year (September start) - Monday morning
all year (September start) - Monday afternoon

(core, 30 credits)

This module will critically evaluate a range of theories and current perspectives on the distinctive features of leading practice within early years. This will include the various ways of managing, supporting and developing teams. It will examine the role of the early years practitioner in leading and improving practice. Working in partnership with parents and other professionals will also be examined. It will investigate the various concepts of families and parenting in a historical and socio-cultural context.

This core module enables students to:
 Examine the role of leaders, practitioners and other professionals when leading practice and developing quality provision.
 Observe, reflect on, and critically analyse practice in relation to young children’s well-being.
 Critically evaluate concepts of families and parenting in a historical and socio-cultural context.
 Consider the key role of parents and the key person in supporting children’s wellbeing, learning and development.
 Examine a range of theories in relation to leadership and leading practice, particularly in developing and supporting teams.
 Explore the range of professionals involved in the provision of early years services and explore some of the challenges and barriers faced when working with other professionals.

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Reading Research and Research Methods in Early Childhood

This module currently runs:
autumn semester
autumn semester - Monday morning
autumn semester - Monday afternoon

(core, 15 credits)

This module focuses upon the main research methodologies used in the study of early childhood, preparing students for their own research projects as well as enabling them to read and critique the research of others.

This core module aims to enable students to:

- Develop the ability to describe, analyse and constructively critique the major research methodologies in the field of early childhood studies
- Develop an awareness of ethics in relation to research
- Apply skills in designing their own research projects
- Develop skills in critiquing published research

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Course details

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have one of the following:

  • 240 credits from a Higher National Diploma (HND), Foundation Degree (FdA/ FdSc) or equivalent international qualification in a relevant subject
  • 240 credits from years 1 and 2 of an undergraduate degree (BA/ BSc) in a relevant subject at a different institution

Accreditation of Prior Learning

Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course at London Met. Find out more about applying for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL).

English language requirements

To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Student visa (previously Tier 4) you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. This course requires you to meet our standard requirements.

If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.

Assessment is based on coursework with no formal examinations.

As a graduate of this degree, you'll be able to pursue a variety of careers in education, health and social care sectors. The success of our graduates reflects the current need for well-trained professionals who can quickly move up to more senior roles in children’s centres, nursery and primary schools, as well as other early childhood care and education settings.

Our health, social care and early childhood studies graduates have gone onto to work as early years practioners, nursery teachers and managers, mental health officers, support workers and nurses at various employers including Kings College Hospital, the NHS and various schools and nurseries.

Continuing your studies with us

The School of Social Professions has a wide range of exciting industry-linked postgraduate courses available on a full-time and part-time basis in education, health, social and community work. We offer the following postgraduate degrees that would be suitable:

If you've already studied your undergraduate degree with us, as a graduate of London Met, you'll be entitled to a 20% discount on any further study with us.

If you study your undergraduate degree with us, as a graduate of London Met, you'll be entitled to a 20% discount on a postgraduate course if you continue your studies with us.
* exclusions apply

Please note, in addition to the tuition fee there may be additional costs for things like equipment, materials, printing, textbooks, trips or professional body fees.

Additionally, there may be other activities that are not formally part of your course and not required to complete your course, but which you may find helpful (for example, optional field trips). The costs of these are additional to your tuition fee and the fees set out above and will be notified when the activity is being arranged.

How to apply

If you're a UK applicant wanting to study full-time starting in September, you must apply via UCAS unless otherwise specified. If you're an international applicant wanting to study full-time, you can choose to apply via UCAS or directly to the University.

If you're applying for part-time study, you should apply directly to the University. If you require a Student visa, please be aware that you will not be able to study as a part-time student at undergraduate level.

When to apply

The University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) accepts applications for full-time courses starting in September from one year before the start of the course. Our UCAS institution code is L68.

If you will be applying direct to the University you are advised to apply as early as possible as we will only be able to consider your application if there are places available on the course.

To find out when teaching for this degree will begin, as well as welcome week and any induction activities, view our academic term dates.

Are you from outside the UK? Find out how to apply from your home country

Find out more

Meet the team

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