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RAE 2008
100% of RU’s submitted work in Education was recognised either internationally or nationally for its originality, significance and rigour, with 30% of that work regarded as being either ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. More information.

Why study Early Childhood Studies at Roehampton?

• Roehampton is internationally recognised for its work in the area of Early Childhood Studies.
• The programme offers opportunities for you to study alongside colleagues from a range of professional areas including education, health, and social work and attracts students from the UK and abroad.
• The programme builds on Froebelian principles, which stress the value of play in the care and education of young children.
• We have dedicated teaching space in the Early Childhood Centre at Froebel College, where you can make use of the renowned Froebel Archive for Childhood Studies.
• Our focus is on raising critical awareness of early childhood issues from various global perspectives by integrating practice, theory and research.
• The flexible programme structure enables you to follow various pathways leading to an Early Childhood Studies award.
• The programme attracts students from many different professions (health, community, education) and is also of interest to suitably qualified parents as well as to Early Years professionals. There is much opportunity for cross-fertilisation of ideas, and to make contact with leading professionals who work within this field.
• You have the opportunity to attend regular research seminars featuring internationally respected guest lecturers and speakers.

General programme information

This programme aims to develop a deep understanding of the factors that promote the wellbeing of young children and their families by critically examining the diverse contexts of their lives. The programme content deliberately draws on and crosses different disciplinary and professional boundaries. Students are part of the research community and by providing an academically rigorous postgraduate programme, we draw on their professional and personal experiences to further develop their ability to critically consider issues in early childhood and their implications on pedagogy, policy and provisions.

Key areas of study

• Critical Reflections on Early Childhood
• Environments for Young Children
• Play Representations and Communication
• Wellbeing in the Earliest Years
• Historical Approaches to Early Childhood
• Research Methodology and Enquiry
• Dissertation

Teaching

Teaching consists of lectures, seminars, workshops and student presentations.

Research areas

Staff on the programme have experience in the following research areas: effective environments for early learning and development; historical aspects of early childhood education; policy development in the early childhood field; principles and practice of work with children under three; the development of the professional role in the early childhood sector; social relationships and children’s creative thinking; and health issues in early childhood.

Career opportunities

Students have progressed in their careers to become:

• heads of centres
• early years inspectors and advisors
• nursery coordinators
• other senior posts in the early childhood field.

The programme enhances both professional skills and career prospects, and is also good preparation for MPhil/PhD/EdD study.

Entry requirements

We look for applicants with a good second-class honours degree (or above) in:

• Early Childhood Studies
• Education
• Social Policy
• Social Administration
• Health Studies

Or a degree in another discipline and an interest in Early Childhood Studies; or a comparable professional award plus relevant experiential learning.

If you do not meet the normal entry requirements, you may be required to take a qualifying assignment and/or present a portfolio of documentary evidence of intellectual and professional development resulting from prior experiential learning.

Length of programme

Normally 3-8 semesters.

Number of places

Full-time: 30; part-time: 30

Programme start date

September and February

Number of Credits

MA: 180 PGDip: 120 PGCert: 60

Fees

Band 3

Further information

Elaine Hilides
Email: e.hilides@roehampton.ac.uk
Tel: 020 8392 3382

Programme details

Module details