BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Norland)

in association with The University of Gloucestershire
(delivered at Norland College, Bath)

The course is designed for students who wish to work independently with children and also achieve a degree qualification that can lead to further courses for future career development (see Careers in Childcare for more information).
Early Childhood Studies is an innovative subject dealing with many aspects of childhood, with approaches drawn from the disciplines of social science, psychology, child health, history, literature and education. Recent developments in work with children and their families lie at the heart of this wide-ranging course.

It provides an exciting opportunity for students who want to develop their knowledge and understanding of early childhood. Students have the opportunity to explore how health, education and social care impact on children aged 0-8 years old. Teaching is provided by an enthusiastic teaching team, all who have considerable professional and academic experience in health, education and social care. There is also an opportunity to hear from current practitioners as guest speakers.

Course Structure:

This course consists of 2 years spent studying full time at Norland College and the 3rd and 4th years of the degree running alongside employment over 2 years. The pattern of study in these final 2 years is designed to be flexible so as to fit around their work commitments:

  • Step 1 – Two years at Norland College:
    During the first two years, students are based at Norland College and after successfully completing all of the required modules achieve the Diploma of Higher Education in Early Childhood Studies with a rating of 240 Credit Accumulation Transfer (CATS) points.
  • Step 2 – One year studying alongside employment
    The next step is towards the BA (Ordinary) Early Childhood Studies (Norland), which takes one year and runs alongside the probationary year of employment (see Norland Diploma for more information). This includes reflective practice and workshops that are held on a Saturday, twice a term, at Norland College.
  • Step 3 – One year studying alongside employment
    The final step is to complete the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Norland). This involves the completion of a dissertation and the attendance at a series of workshops that are held on a Saturday, twice a term, at Norland College, whilst continuing in employment.

Steps 2 and 3 of this course are very flexible and can be deferred for up to 5 years, this means that if they wish to, students can complete the final part of the degree course (steps 2 and 3) after they have completed their Norland probationary post (their first year of employment).

Students can stop studying after any of the above levels and still successfully achieve a recognised qualification that will allow them to work independently with children.


Click here to see what some of our graduates have gone onto do.

To view the BA (Hons) career map please click here

Entry requirements:

The entry requirements for the BA(Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Norland) are:

5 GCSEs at grade C or above including English and Maths

And

2 passes at A2 level (grade C or above). Applicants with 4xAS level at C or above may be considered.

Or a level 3 qualification that equates to a minimum of 160 CATS points.  

Students with the full International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma fulfil the entry requirements for the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Norland).  

Students awarded the International Baccalaureate Certificate must have scored points that are equivalent to a minimum of 160 UCAS tariff points.

For applications from Scotland the requirements are 2 Highers at Grade A or B or 3 Highers at Grade C or above.

Application Deadline

The closing date for applications to the BA (Hons) for 2011 entry is Friday 18 March 2011.

BA (Hons) early Childhood Studies - Level 1 Course Map

Module Title CAT Points Study Period
Early Years Principles Policies and Practices 15 Term 1
Child Development 1
This Module aims to introduce students to the holistic development of children from birth to five examining social, emotional, physical, cognitive and language development as measured against normative milestones.		 15 Term 1
The Creative Child
This module aims to enable the students to develop an understanding of the value of creativity and its role as a vehicle for learning and development within the birth to five age range.		 15 Term 2
Child Development 2
This module will build on the students' knowledge and experience gained in 102 offering an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of holistic development in children from birth to two years of age.		 15 Term 2
The Healthy Child
This module aims to build on and extend knowledge and understanding of holistic child development from modules 102 and 104. In addition students will consider issues relating to delayed development and children with special educational needs and meeting the needs of the sick child.		 15 Term 3
Working with Families
This module aims to prepare the students for their role when working within a family. Students will further explore attachment and the role of the adult in child development. Theoretical and practical perspectives on promoting positive behaviour in an early years setting and when working in a family will be debated. Issues such as effective communication and professionalism will be addressed within the framework of the reflective cycle and the role of the reflective practitioner.		 15 Term 3
Work Based Reflection 15 Term 2/3
Learning and Personal Development
This module is designed to introduce, develop and encourage the acquisition of those study and transferable skills required of students for the successful completion of their undergraduate programme. Furthermore, students will be required to reflect on personal, academic and career path and to plan an effective strategy towards becoming an early years practitioner.		 15 Term 1/2

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies - Level II Course Map

Module Titles CAT Points Study Period
Children's Language and Literacy
This module is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop an understanding of language development in young children and how this is supported by parents and carers. It will also consider the role of literature and play in the development of language. This module builds upon NOR103 The Creative Child.		 30 Term 4
Child Development 3
This module provides an opportunity for students to explore a range of common childhood illnesses. Students will examine the effect of chronic illness on children's learning and holistic development.		 15 Term 4
Supporting Mathematical Development
This module aims to develop students' knowledge and understanding of significant and emerging theories and principles of mathematical teaching and learning; their ability to use appropriate teaching and learning methods and techniques to develop and support mathematical development; their ability to plan mathematical related activities appropriate for a range of learners, and develop their own mathematical knowledge and understanding in order to support children's progress in mathematics.		 15 Term 5
The Team around the Child
This module aims to extend students knowledge and understanding of interagency working in relation to meeting the needs of the children with additional learning or health needs and vulnerable children and adolescents.		 15 Term 6
Management Project 30 Term 5
Work Based Portfolio 15 Term 4/5

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies - Level III Course Map

Module Titles CAT Points Study Period
Work Based Reflection 30 Year
Children and their Worlds
This module examines children's perceptions of their world through interviews and reading to explore a range of issues.		 30 Year
The Invention of Childhood
This module examines the concept of childhood from both adults and children's perspectives, drawing attention to changes over time and predicting changes in the future. Political, social and ethical factors are explored and examined in terms of their influence on these changes.		 30 Year
An Introduction to Independant Research: Literature and Data Analysis 30 Year
Dissertation 30 Year

 

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