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Build a career in childhood services with UWS’ BA (Hons) Childhood Studies programme.
Throughout this programme you will gain an understanding of the issues related to early childhood and services for children and families. You will learn about the values underpinning children’s services, and the importance of working in partnership with professionals from a range of disciplines. You will consider issues relating to management and leadership of early learning and childcare services.
To develop your practical knowledge, you’ll have the chance to complete two three-week blocks of work-based experience each year. In Year 3 you will have the option to complete placement in an international setting (currently available in Italy, Spain and Germany).
Watch this video and find out more about studying Childhood Studies at UWS.
You will have the chance to apply your knowledge in a professional setting with blocks of work-based experience each year. In Year 2 students complete one three-week block placement in Term 2, and in years 3 and 4 students complete two placements, a three-week block in Terms 1 and 2. Recent student placements were located in local authority establishments and private providers.
In year 3, there is the opportunity to gain experience abroad, with students having worked in Italy and Spain in previous years.
National Student Survey (NSS) 2020
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Don’t worry if your qualifications are not listed here, we take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience.
If you are applying with an EU or non-EU qualification, please check our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page which gives more information about country-specific entry requirements.
Applicants who do not meet the entry criteria but hold similar childcare qualifications together with relevant work experience are encouraged to contact us for advice on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for entry to second year.
Applicants who do not meet the above entry criteria but hold similar childcare qualifications together with relevant work experience are encouraged to contact us for more information and advice prior to applying.
The university recognises that learning takes place in variety of contexts and has an established process of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). In this instance, Accreditation of Experiential Prior Learning (APEL) could be used to accompany an application.
Contact us also for more information on creating and submitting an Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) claim.
Applicants may be invited for interview.
Applicants may be invited for interview.
Successful applicants who gain a place on this course will need to register on the PVG Scheme, managed and delivered by Disclosure Scotland. An application form will be sent from the University once you have accepted your offer. The fee for joining the scheme is £59.
Visit the Disclosure Scotland website for more information on the PVG scheme.
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The qualifications below must have been gained within two years of the start of your course.
General English language requirements at UWS: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see section below for more details).
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council, applicants are required to have an IELTS or Occupational English Test (OET)*.
For such courses, the IELTS score is as follows:
* Note that the Occupational English Test (OET) will now be accepted in addition to IELTS as proof of a Nurse's English Language Competence (Nursing & Midwifery Council, 2019).
For our BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science programmes, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
TOEFL IBT*: 78; no sub-test less than:
* Please note that TOEFL is still acceptable for admission to this programme for both home/EU and international students.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use TOEFL to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level courses. We therefore still accept TOEFL tests taken in the last two years for admission to this programme.
West African Senior School Certificate of Education (WASSCE) including acceptance of WAEC Scratchcard*
*UWS will accept a WAEC scratchcard confirming that an applicant has achieved C6 or above as evidence of meeting English language requirement from Nigeria if the student graduated within the last 5 years. After 5 years applicants would be required to provide the WAEC Certificate.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
The BA Childhood Studies includes childcare policy at home and abroad; equality; inclusion; health and well-being; language; communication; and early literacy skills.
Guest speakers will help to further improve your understanding of the subject. Recent speakers have included Professor Li Li of Kunming University who provided details on international perspectives of early years provision in China. In addition, Sue Robson of Roehampton University addressed creativity in the early years.
Through your studies and work-based learning opportunities, you will learn about health and well-being, social justice and equality, holistic child development and develop your self-reflection skills. Leadership and teamwork skills are developed in a variety of early learning and childcare settings. You will also reflect on how to effectively support children’s communication and early literacy skills.
Through your studies and work-based learning opportunities, you will learn more about management and leadership skills in an early years setting. You will explore multi-agency working and the importance of providing effective integrated services. You will have opportunities to promote creativity across the curriculum. International policies and practices of early education and childcare are studied. You will be introduced to qualitative research methods and undertake a research project. There are opportunities to undertake an international placement.
The Honours year supports you to develop specialist knowledge and practice in an area of your own interest. You will also deepen your knowledge of the core themes of theory, research and practice through undertaking a research study and dissertation. You will have opportunities to explore inter-professional working through asset based approaches to supporting families. You will explore a range of pedagogical approaches to facilitating children’s play, learning and development.
The programme will be delivered using a blend of learning and teaching strategies. These include use of the UWS virtual learning environment (Moodle), Interactive Whiteboards, online tutor/student led discussions. Lectures, tutorials, student-led seminars, group-work, role-play, presentations, workshops, problem based learning and work related learning will be used to develop student learning. At Level 10, the programme will be delivered partially online utilising a blended learning format of class sessions, tutorials and online activities. Throughout the programme learning and assessment will have a work based focus.
The programme will be delivered using a blend of learning and teaching strategies. These include use of the UWS virtual learning environment (Moodle), Interactive Whiteboards, online tutor/student led discussions. Lectures, tutorials, student-led seminars, group-work, role-play, presentations, workshops, problem based learning and work related learning will be used to develop student learning. At Level 10, the programme will be delivered partially online utilising a blended learning format of class sessions, tutorials and online activities. Throughout the programme learning and assessment will have a work based focus.
This course also gives you the option of taking a language module, which can count towards your degree. These modules cover multiple languages and range from absolute beginner to near-native speaker level. The cost of your language module is included in the tuition fees. Find out more
BA (Hons) Childhood Studies graduates have gained employment in integrated childcare services with children under five years, out-of-school care, and in project work offering support for children and their families in roles such as family support workers, early years practitioners, and NHS community nursery nurses.
Further study towards Graduate Diploma in Childhood Practice qualifications, depending on experience, is possible. This enables registration with SSSC as Lead Practitioner/Manager.
Graduates may also be eligible to apply for a range of postgraduate programmes, including Initial Teacher Education (Primary), Social Work and Psychology.
“The placement opportunities within my course provided me with real experience in the workplace to support my future career development. They allow me to put the knowledge I have gained in the class into practice.”
£1,820 Cost of study per year (paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,250 Cost of study per year (for four years but you will not pay more than £27,750)
£9,250 Cost of study per year (for four years but you will not pay more than £27,750)
£14,500 Cost per year of study
£305 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£1,550 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£1,550 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£2,420 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£1,820 Cost of study per year (normally paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS)
£9,250 Cost of study per year (for four years but you will not pay more than £27,750)
£9,250 Cost of study per year (for four years but you will not pay more than £27,750)
£15,250 Cost per year of study
£305 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£1,550 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£1,550 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£2,540 Cost per 20-credit module of study
The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career.
In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs like study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms.
Fortunately, there is a great deal of financial support available to help students meet the cost of their study. This ranges from:
The sections below provide details of additional costs that your course may involve along with any financial support that may be available.
You can also find additional information in our Undergraduate Money, Fees & Funding section.
Students on certain degrees will incur some additional costs not covered by their tuition fees. These could be for things like specialist equipment, study materials and textbooks, work placements, graduation, membership of relevant organisations or costs related to carrying out fieldwork.
For students on course with an element of fieldwork, there may also be extra costs for travel and accommodation.
Note: The library will hold some copies of the textbooks but not enough for every student. Students can purchase second hand copies when possible or use older versions if advised by the module coordinator. Students can also sell their copies after the course. This helps manage the cost.
Books & printed material (Optional)
You are encouraged to use the library and online resources for all reading materials (some will be available digitally also). However, you may choose to purchase some or all of the recommended textbooks yourself. Given the availability of library and online resources and individual preferences, costs will be variable but are not expected to exceed £100.
Photocopying (Optional)
All modules are available on our VLE (Moodle) and therefore notes are available digitally. Some assessments require hardcopy submission and may incur small printing costs. It is estimated that over the course of the year, you may spend c.£20 on photocopying. This is not essential and you may choose to spend more, or less according to your needs.
Stationary costs (Optional)
Small costs associated with stationary requirements may be incurred throughout the year but these depend on personal needs and preferences. As a guide, it is estimated that you may spend c.£20 per session on stationary.
Placement (Optional)
Students undertaking the Work-based Learning module are responsible for any travel and accommodation costs related to the place of work.
For the optional international placement opportunity, you are eligible to cover all of the travel and accommodation fees associated with this. This is an option and does not have to be undertaken to complete the degree.
Travel costs (Optional)
Travel costs for work-based learning opportunities may be incurred. Placements themselves may occur anywhere in Scotland or the UK. It's likely that you'll be travelling at peak times which can cost more.
Books & printed material (Optional)
You are encouraged to use the library and online resources for all reading materials (some will be available digitally also). However, you may choose to purchase some or all of the recommended textbooks yourself. Given the availability of library and online resources and individual preferences, costs will be variable but are not expected to exceed £100.
Photocopying (Optional)
All modules are available on our VLE (Moodle) and therefore notes are available digitally. Some assessments require hardcopy submission and may incur small printing costs. It is estimated that over the course of the year, you may spend c.£20 on photocopying. This is not essential and you may choose to spend more, or less according to your needs.
Stationary costs (Optional)
Small costs associated with stationary requirements may be incurred throughout the year but these depend on personal needs and preferences. As a guide, it is estimated that you may spend c.£20 per session on stationary.
Graduation fees (Optional for those exiting with BA award)
These fees are set annually by the University and are subject to review. For session 19/20 these were set at £10 Registration Fee. Academic dress and official photography (optional) for graduation ceremonies is hired and arranged respectively from an external suppliers.
Books & printed material (Optional)
You are encouraged to use the library and online resources for all reading materials (some will be available digitally also). However, you may choose to purchase some or all of the recommended textbooks yourself. Given the availability of library and online resources and individual preferences, costs will be variable but are not expected to exceed £100.
Photocopying (Optional)
All modules are available on our VLE (Moodle) and therefore notes are available digitally. Some assessments require hardcopy submission and may incur small printing costs. It is estimated that over the course of the year, you may spend c.£20 on photocopying. This is not essential and you may choose to spend more, or less according to your needs.
Stationary costs (Optional)
Small costs associated with stationary requirements may be incurred throughout the year but these depend on personal needs and preferences. As a guide, it is estimated that you may spend c.£20 per session on stationary.
Graduation fees (Mandatory)
These fees are set annually by the University and are subject to review. For session 19/20 these were set at £10 Registration Fee. Academic dress and official photography (optional) for graduation ceremonies is hired and arranged respectively from an external suppliers.
Tuition fees are calculated based on where you are from and what you are studying. Some courses also involve additional costs, such as mandatory field trips, equipment or studying abroad.
Find out how much it will cost you to study at UWS as an undergraduate student.
Scottish students studying at undergraduate level at UWS are entitled to various funds and support towards tuition fees and living costs.
English, Welsh and Northern Irish students studying at undergraduate level at UWS are entitled to various funds and support towards tuition fees and living costs.
EU students studying at undergraduate level of UWS may be eligible for SAAS funding, as well as support to meet the costs of childcare and various sources of additional funding.
There are several scholarship and incentive schemes available to international students studying at undergraduate level at UWS, as well as support to meet the costs of childcare and various sources of additional funding.
UWS administer a range of discretionary and childcare funds. These are designed to support students who are experiencing financial difficulty or struggling to meet the costs of childcare.
Becoming a student can have an impact on your entitlement to certain benefits. It may mean you are no longer eligible to claim a benefit you have been receiving, or your new income from student funding may affect the amount you are able to receive.
If there isn’t a statutory source of funding for you or your course, or you are in need of additional financial support, you may wish to consider more alternative sources of funding such as trust funds and scholarships.
At UWS, we believe financial restrictions should never be a barrier to your education.
The WEST (Widening Education and Supporting Talent) Scholarship Programme aims to remove the financial barriers that stop talented students from progressing throughout their degree to graduation.
Choosing to become a student can have a big impact on your budget and you may need to reassess your spending to account for a reduced income. We’ve put together some guidance to help you manage your money and make the right financial choices for you and your family.
All UK and EU applicants for undergraduate study, not applying through an agent or partner, should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
The on-time application deadline for 2022/23 entry is 25 January 2023, 18:00 (UK time). For some courses it may still be possible to apply beyond this period, subject to suitable vacancies remaining. The final deadline for late applications via UCAS is 30 June 2022, 18:00 (UK time). Beyond this deadline, you may be able to apply via ‘UCAS Clearing’ if the course you are interested in has remaining places.
Please refer to our Undergraduate Application Guide to find more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS.
Students from non-EU/non-EEA countries can apply directly to UWS via our dedicated online application system. The latest we can process your application is 6 weeks before the course start date to allow for visa processing times. For more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS please refer to our International Undergraduate Application Guide.
For part-time & online study, you should apply directly to the University through our online application system, not through UCAS. Please select the part-time mode of study when submitting your application. Before you begin your application, it is important to read the part-time application step-by-step guide for a smooth process.
To come to UWS as a visiting student on a study abroad or exchange programme, you must apply entirely through our online system.
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Get in touch. We are here to help!
Going to university is about much more than getting a qualification, it’s also the chance to enjoy an exciting social life, gain some independence and make the most of the new opportunities available.
Discover More About UWSWe will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.