Course overview

This course is for people who want to advance their knowledge of young children's learning and development. Through studying this course, you will enhance your understanding of early childhood education and care, from birth to eight years. You will also develop your research skills.

If you have a first degree in early childhood studies, childhood studies, education, or a related subject, this course will give you the opportunity to look in greater depth at aspects of young children's lives and examine current policies and professional practices, in order to build upon your own interests and gain a higher level qualification.

The course is also designed for people who are working with young children (for example, foundation stage teachers, graduates working in children's centres, or other early years practitioners) and for college lecturers in childcare and education who would like to study further to extend their professional development. We also welcome parents, volunteers, and others with a personal interest in this interesting and important subject.

Module guide

Assessment

Assessment is via different types of presentations and written assignments. Collaborative group work and peer review are key elements of most modules. For each 30-credit module there is an assessment of up to 8,000 words (or equivalent). The Major Project is usually a written research report of 18,000 words. There are no examinations on this course.

Facilities

You will study in purpose-built classrooms, with good audio-visual and ICT equipment. The Department of Education has a specialist Early Childhood Room where students can explore a range of resources. The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is used to support your learning outside the classroom. Our University Library is very well supplied with books and electronic resources relevant to this course.

We have an active Early Childhood Research Group that runs seminars and projects, plus strong links with Anglia Ruskin University's Children and Youth Research Institute.

Study abraod

There may be opportunities to study abroad as part of this course. However, this is not a requirement.

Special features

You will work with experienced tutors who are passionate about using insights from research to enhance the daily lives of young children and their families. For example, Sara Knight and Professor Tim Waller are well known for their expertise in outdoor learning.

Study hours are arranged to enable you to work alongside your course, if necessary. For example, teaching hours are likely to be scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays only, throughout the academic year.

Most part-time study is scheduled outside typical working hours, with the option to study a module at a summer school and to engage in some blended learning (accessing our virtual learning environment, VLE, from your home or workplace).

Students on Early Years Professional Studies courses will participate in a wider postgraduate community in the Department of Education and undertake some modules together with MA Education students.

Associated careers

This course is designed to enhance professional skills and career prospects for all students. It provides a relevant continuing professional development opportunity for: early years teachers; early years professionals; leaders and managers of child care settings; family support workers; lecturers in further education colleges; inspectors; advisors and early years consultants and others. It is possible to focus your studies towards a particular current or planned career interest, for example outdoor learning or special educational needs.
For people who are interested in working in research and/or lecturing in higher education in the future this course provides a first step towards an academic career.

Successful students may progress from this course to study for a PhD or EdD.

Links with industry/Professional recognition

The course was developed in collaboration with a Local Authority Early Years and Childcare Service

Work placements

Students who work in early childhood settings or schools will be able to draw upon their experience and link theory to their practice. This course can be completed successfully without a work placement.

There will be some opportunities to visit different early years settings. We have excellent links with local nurseries and will help students to arrange fieldwork placements for observations and research.

Students who wish to gain experience as researchers may have the opportunity to cooperate on research projects being run in the Department of Education and Children and Youth Research Institute.

Entry Requirements:

* Normally, an honours degree in a related field at 2:2 or above * Exceptional entry may be offered to professionals who have an equivalent to the above through extensive professional experience (in these circumstances an entry task may apply) * Current DBS certificate (desirable) ? Prospective students without current DBS clearance can access the course but will not be able to conduct fieldwork or research in schools or other early years settings * For students whose first language is not English, IELTS score of 6.5 and above is required * Anglia Ruskin?s standard procedures for admission with credit apply

• Normally, an honours degree in a related field at 2:2 or above
• Exceptional entry may be offered to professionals who have an equivalent to the above through extensive professional experience (in these circumstances an entry task may apply)
• Current DBS certificate (desirable) - prospective students without current DBS clearance can access the course but will not be able to conduct fieldwork or research in schools or other early years settings
• For students whose first language is not English, IELTS score of 6.5 and above is required
• Anglia Ruskin's standard procedures for admission with credit apply

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

We welcome applications from International and EU students. Please select one of the links below for English language and country-specific entry requirement information.

• International students
• EU students
• English language requirements