Early Childhood and Primary Education BA (Hons)
Available with:
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Foundation Year
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Early Childhood Studies Pathway
- Primary Education Pathway
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Course Summary
The education landscape plays a critical role in children’s cognitive and emotional development, and how they progress through later life. This course specialises in the transformative power within both the Primary Education and Early Childhood sectors, and is perfect if you wish to discuss, discover, and analyse in-depth why learning experiences are vital.
You will explore contemporary thinking relating to play, social and emotional development, and the philosophy of childhood and education. Early education creates intense discussion across political and societal landscapes, exposing tensions between care and education. This course supports you to analyse and assess a range of political and societal ideas about family life and teaching and caring for children that have far-reaching impacts on their schooling and wider society.
This course offers you a great deal of flexibility and supports you to follow your professional interests. In your second year, you will be well-poised to choose a pathway to specialise in either Early Childhood or in Primary Education, and we tailor modules so that they deepen and widen your knowledge in these areas.
We’re particularly proud of our third-year offering; in this year you will author a personal (and often inspirational) research project. Examples of dissertations include how gender influences toy choices, perceptions of sign language between parents and practitioners, healthy eating in a school environment, and the ‘Justifiable Lie’: the magic of Santa!
Placements that connect you with the minds of the young
Experienced lecturers who provide more than just teaching
Opportunities for careers and employment across the 0-11 age range
Choose a specialist pathway
A specialist pathway is your opportunity to further tailor your studies to become an expert in your chosen field. Our pathways provide you with specific modules and opportunities to enable you to tailor your studies towards areas you are passionate about, whether through Early Childhood Studies or Primary Education Studies specialisms. Choose from various modules and optional pathways to align with your interests and career goals.
When applying for this course with a specialist pathway, you will do so via UCAS. It is important to search for and submit your application for 'Early Childhood & Primary Education BA (Hons)'. Your chosen pathway will be confirmed post-application and this will be the award that you complete your studies with ie. Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons).
Early Childhood Studies pathway
Primary Education pathway
What you'll Study
The BA Early Childhood & Primary Education course contains core modules at each level of study. At Level 4, you are introduced to principles of holistic child development, and the theories of playful learning. Core modules are shared with Level 4 students from similar courses within the department. Level 5 builds upon this foundation with more complex learning that offers you the opportunity to develop your thinking about children’s lives regarding health and wellbeing. This level also supports you to consider how research is undertaken and equips you with early research skills. At Level 5 you are given the choice of a module pathway which offers a focus on working in the Early Years or working in Primary Education
At Level 6 you will undertake a dissertation project focusing on your own area of interest. You will continue learning and developing your personal philosophy, integrating all the knowledge and skills acquired throughout your studies with a focus on critical discussions relating to alternative narratives, marginalised children and what childhood looks like in contemporary society.
You are offered the opportunity to undertake Graduate Practitioner Competencies awarded by the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network. These competencies support you to undertake a higher level of practice supported by workplace placements, assessed practice & portfolio and an end-of-year Viva at Level 6.
The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.
This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term you will study 40 credits comprised of either one or two modules. Scheduled contact hours range between approximately six and ten hours per week depending upon level of study and the complexity of the material being taught. This course is delivered through in person. Students can expect to take part in lectures, workshops and peer-led seminars.
Students should expect to spend an average of 30 – 34 hours per week on independent study which might include following asynchronous learning material, tutorial time with staff, using the University’s library, working with peers and preparing work for assessment.
Teaching will be delivered by experience academics and practitioners in the subject. This will be supplemented by occasional guest lecturers and speakers.
There will be a broad range of assessment methods so you are exposed to the different types of tasks that you might encounter in the workplace. These will include coursework in the form of portfolios, written pieces (both long and short form), podcasts and presentations. In some modules, you will encounter class tests and practical assessments. We continuously review the assessment methods used in order that they adequately prepare you for graduate level employment.
All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence, and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.
Entry Requirements
104 UCAS Points
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UCAS Tariff |
104 points |
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GCE A Level |
Typical offer – CCC-BCC |
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BTEC |
BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM |
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International Baccalaureate |
26 points |
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Irish / Scottish Highers |
Irish Highers - H3 H3 H3 H4 H4 Scottish Highers - BBBB |
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Access requirements |
Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above |
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T Level |
T Level with a Pass grade and C or above in the core |
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OCR Cambridge Technicals |
OCR Extended Diploma: DMM |
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Extra Information |
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs. Please note that GCSE grade C/4 or above in English (or equivalent) is required. GCSE grades C/4 or above in Maths and Science are desirable. All successful candidates who receive an offer of a place for this course and choose the University of Chester as their Firm choice will be required to undergo checks with regards to their suitability to practice. A couple of months prior to admission to this course, the University will contact you to request that you complete a self-declaration form detailing any relevant convictions or other information that you believe may have an impact upon your ability to undertake work with children or vulnerable adults. You will also receive instructions on how to complete an online application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check through the University as a registered body, there will be a charge for this. Please note that the University does not accept previous DBS checks from other registered bodies or the update service. For details about the cost of the DBS and for further information please visit our DBS web pages. |
Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.
We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.
English Language Requirements
- IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
- Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.
72 UCAS Points
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UCAS Tariff |
72 points. |
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GCE A Level |
72 UCAS points from GCE A Levels to include grade D in at least one subject |
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BTEC |
BTEC Extended Diploma: MMP |
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International Baccalaureate |
24 points |
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Irish / Scottish Highers |
Irish Highers - H4 H4 H4 H4 H4 Scottish Highers - CCDD
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Access requirements |
Access to HE Diploma – Pass overall |
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T Level |
Pass (D or E on the core) |
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OCR Cambridge Technicals |
OCR Extended Diploma: MMP |
|
Extra Information |
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs. Please note that GCSE grade C/4 or above in English (or equivalent) is required. GCSE grades C/4 or above in Maths and Science are desirable. If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree. All successful candidates who receive an offer of a place for this course and choose the University of Chester as their Firm choice will be required to undergo checks with regards to their suitability to practice. A couple of months prior to admission to this course, the University will contact you to request that you complete a self-declaration form detailing any relevant convictions or other information that you believe may have an impact upon your ability to undertake work with children or vulnerable adults. You will also receive instructions on how to complete an online application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check through the University as a registered body, there will be a charge for this. Please note that the University does not accept previous DBS checks from other registered bodies or the update service. For details about the cost of the DBS and for further information please visit our DBS web pages. |
Fees and funding
£9,250per year for a full-time course (2025/26)
Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,250 a year, or £1,540 per 20-credit module for part-time study.
The University may increase these fees at the start of each subsequent year of your course in line with inflation at that time, as measured by the Retail Price Index. These fee levels and increases are subject to any necessary government, and other regulatory, approvals.
Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.
Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.
Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.
Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.
The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £13,950.
This fee is set for each year of study. All undergraduate students are eligible for international and merit-based scholarships which are applicable to each year of study.
For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.
Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.
Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials.
Students often elect to purchase a laptop, where students choose to do so, the cost it likely to be around £800-£1000.
Most software specific to your course is available free to students through agreements we have with the software vendors.
Occasional, optional, field trips may be offered, depending on student demand, these are typically within the UK and where chargeable the cost is likely to be under £100. Students are not required to participate in order to successfully complete the course.
If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.
Debbie Ravenscroft
Senior Lecturer
Jeanette Bailie
Senior Lecturer
Dr Heather Macdonald
Senior Lecturer, Programme Leader MA Education
Dr Helen Eadon-Sinkinson
Programme Leader
Ruth Proctor
Senior Lecturer
Kelly Bradburne-Tailby
Lecturer
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Your future Career
Job Prospects
With key and transferrable skills, graduates may directly enter various professional roles including Teaching Assistant, Early Years Educator, Children and Families Support Worker, policing or charity work.
The course also provides a foundation for further study for entry into other professions, such as teaching, children’s nursing, social work or psychotherapy.
Careers service
The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.
We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.