Education and Childhood Studies (including Foundation Year)

This degree is ideal if you are interested in working with children and young people, predominantly between the ages of 3-13 years of age, in both formal and informal education settings. This popular course has a long history of providing a well-respected, successful and alternative pathway into mainstream primary teaching via a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE – Primary Education) or Post-compulsory qualification (PcET – Adult and Further Education), whilst keeping options open for a range of other career opportunities that involve work with children and young people. Based on a combination of academic study and work experience, the programme considers a balance of education and social topics which draw upon theoretical perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, including: education, sociology, psychology, philosophy, health and social welfare/justice. Educational policies, processes and perspectives, relating to the statutory requirements of early years’ curricula and Key Stage 2 of the National Curriculum in both England and Wales are considered, as are factors which impact on the wellbeing and learning dispositions of children and young people. Based upon a spiral approach to both curriculum and assessment, the course aims to produce graduates who are critically informed about contemporary issues relating to education and childhood studies; graduates who have the knowledge, skills and professional competency required to successfully innovate and drive forward policies and practices within the education and childhood studies workforce.