Early Childhood and Primary Education BA (Hons)

Apply as Home Student via UCASApply as International Student
Request a ProspectusVisit Us
Male teaching student with primary school children doing a classroom activity

Available with:

  • Foundation Year

  • Early Childhood Studies (Optional Specialist Pathway)

  • Primary Education (Optional Specialist Pathway)

You are viewing Course summary

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!

Why You’ll Love It

Placements that connect you with the minds of the young

Placement opportunities throughout each year of study allow you to observe experienced practitioners and to deepen and develop your knowledge of children in education. The lecture team support you every step of the way, and ensure placements provide experiential learning. You will have the joy of observing the holistic nature of children as they share with you their humour, interests and curiosity

Female teaching student doing a classroom activity with primary school children

Experienced lecturers who provide more than just teaching

Course tutors bring a wealth of industry expertise from the early years through to the primary sector, have backgrounds rooted in teaching, and are research active, contributing to global conversations about current issues. Pastoral support is offered throughout each year of study, with smaller class sizes allowing personal academic tutors to fully support and really get to know their students.

A group of students in a teaching room with colourful artwork on the wall.

Opportunities for careers and employment across the 0-11 age range

Armed with the underpinning knowledge of childhood and the education system, interesting and exciting career opportunities await you as a Chester graduate. You may aspire to work with younger children in nurseries or in family support. You could be hoping to be a teacher; you will be well-poised to focus on teacher training with the potential offer of a PGCE interview.

Teacher with primary school children

Specialist Pathways

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.

If you opt for the Early Childhood pathway, you will achieve Early Years Educator status through an assessed observation of practice in your first placement.

If you choose to study this course without a pathway, your award on completion will be Early Childhood and Primary Education BA (Hons). 

Early Childhood Studies pathway

Our Early Childhood Studies pathway will provide a critical understanding of social, political and cultural perspectives on early childhood learning. It will encourage independent thinking as you analyse theory and practice in early years settings. This pathway is ideal if you’re passionate about the foundational stages of children's development, and it will prepare you with a Level 3 Early Years Educator licence to practice alongside your degree.

primary school children wearing red school jumpers sitting in a classroom using laptops and tablet devices

Primary Education pathway

Our pathway in Primary Education Studies will equip you with the skills to think critically and apply educational theory to classroom practice. It will also enable you to make a direct impact on primary school learners' academic, social and emotional development. This pathway prepares you for a career in a high-demand field, offering opportunities to influence educational policies and practices, while fostering inclusivity and supporting diverse learning needs in the classroom.

A group of children sitting in classroom with teacher, one child is holding a small green plant in a white pot.

What You'll Study

The Professional Studies Foundation Year route is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills you will need to be successful at university and whilst on a professional and vocational course.

You will study a range of topics relating to your profession and the environment in which you will eventually work.  Areas of focus include person-centred care, mental health, children’s development, communication in a professional setting, social inequality, and how to apply psychology in the real world. 

Teaching and learning is tailored and designed with specific modules that relate to the profession you are preparing to join. You will also be introduced to the professional codes and standards that you must uphold such as, the national Safeguarding guidance.

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.

The BA Early Childhood & Primary Education course contains core modules at each level of study.

In Year 1 (Level 4), you will be introduced to the principles of holistic child development and the theories of playful learning. Core modules are shared with Level 4 students on similar courses.

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.

Year 2 (Level 5) will build upon this foundation with more complex learning that offers you the opportunity to develop your thinking about children’s lives in terms of their 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 will be given the choice of a module pathway which offers a focus on working in the early years or working in primary education.

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.

In Year 3 (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. 

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.

How You'll Learn

add

This course is designed around in-person study

add

You will be assessed in a variety of ways

add

Study three to six modules per year

add

Curriculum developed to match workforce priorities

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 the level of study and the complexity of the material being taught. This course is delivered through in-person learning. You can expect to take part in lectures, workshops and peer-led seminars. 

You 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 experienced 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 to ensure 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

104UCAS Points

UCAS Tariff

104 points

GCE A Level 

Typical offer – CCC-BCC

BTEC 

BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM

International Baccalaureate

26 points

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers - H3 H3 H3 H4 H4

Scottish Highers - BBBB

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above

T Level 

T Level with a Pass grade and C or above in the core

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma: DMM

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. 

As a Registered Body, we will send you instructions on how to complete an online application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check; 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 check 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.

72UCAS Points

UCAS Tariff

72 points.

GCE A Level 

Typical offer – DDD

BTEC 

MMP

International Baccalaureate

24 points

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers - H4, H4, H4, H5, H5

Scottish Highers - CCDD

Access requirements

 Pass Access to HE Diploma

T Level 

 T Level with a Pass grade and D or E on the core

OCR Cambridge Technicals

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. 

As a Registered Body, we will send you instructions on how to complete an online application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check; 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 check and for further information please visit our DBS web pages. 

Fees and Funding

£9,535per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,535 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.

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.

£14,450*per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £14,450 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £10,750 and £14,200 for Years 2-4 in 2025/26.

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. 

In November 2024, as part of the government’s Autumn Budget, it was confirmed that some foundation years from September 2025 will have a fee of £5,760 for the first foundation year of a four-year course. This is mainly for courses in the Humanities, Business, and Social Sciences disciplines. The following three years of these courses will be the standard fee of £9,535 per annum.

  Foundation (First) Year Second Year onwards per year
Home Students £5,760 for the first foundation year (2025/26) £9,535 per year from the second year onwards (2025/26)
International Students * £10,750 for the first foundation year (2025/26) £14,450 per year from the second year onwards (2025/26)

* For courses which accept applications from International Students

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 is likely to be around £800-£1,000.

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. 

Who You’ll Learn From

Debbie Ravenscroft

Senior Lecturer
Debbie Ravenscroft

Jeanette Bailie

Senior Lecturer
Jeanette Bailie

Dr Heather Macdonald

Senior Lecturer, Programme Leader MA Education
Heather Macdonald

Dr Helen Eadon-Sinkinson

Programme Leader
Helen Eadon-Sinkinson

Associate Professor Chandrika Devarakonda

Dr, Chandrika Devarakonda

Ruth Proctor

Senior Lecturer
Ruth Proctor

Kelly Bradburne-Tailby

Lecturer
Kelly Bradburne-Tailby

Where You'll Study Exton Park, Chester

The location

Exton Park is close to the city centre of Chester, a city like no other and an amazing place to live as a student. While it is undoubtedly beautiful and packed with history, Chester is also a bustling 21st-century city balancing big-name shopping, eating and living with a thriving independent scene.

Modern learning resources and library

We have dedicated resources and IT services across campus, as well as our Seaborne Library; home to an extensive selection of books, e-books and e-journals, as well as bookable multimedia rooms, video conferencing space, 24-hour access computer labs, and The Hub; a comfortable two-floor study zone, suitable for independent and group study.

Seaborne library, seating and reception area.

Student Services

Exton Park is home to a number of our central support services, including Disability and Inclusion, Careers and Employability, and Student Support.

Fitness facilities

Exton Park boasts an impressive choice of indoor and outdoor sports and leisure facilities, which are used for both competitive and recreational sports. Our facilities include a swimming pool, gym, squash, and tennis courts, running track and two floodlit pitches.

A male student wearing goggles is swimming in the training pool between the red rope lane marker lines.

Chapel, chaplaincy and multi-faith spaces

Built in 1847 by former students, the University Chapel offers regular services and a venue to services. The University of Chester also has multi-faith spaces across the campus for prayer or quiet reflection.

Accommodation

Most of our student accommodation is located either on or near Exton Park.

Catering

We have several catering outlets available onsite, offering a wide selection of hot and cold food to students and visitors. Term-time Meal Schemes are also available for those students interested in non-residential catering schemes.

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

With key transferrable skills, graduates may directly access various professional roles, including teaching assistant, early years educator, children and families support worker, policing, or they may choose to enter the charity sector. 

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.

Related Courses

See course data
See course data
See course data
See course data