Overview
Status: Active
National Framework Of Qualifications (NFQ) Level: 8
NFQ Award Class: Major Award
Duration Full Time: 4 Academic Year(s)
Total Credits: 240
Delivery Method: Blended
Connected Curriculum: - Employability
- Inter-and Transdisciplinary
- Research Based Teaching
- Sustainability
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): - No Poverty
- Zero Hunger
- Good Health and Well-being
- Quality Education
- Gender Equality
- Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Reduced Inequality
- Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Peace Justice Strong Institutions
- Partnerships to Achieve SDGs
Graduate Attributes: - Creator, evaluator and communicator of knowledge
- Digitally Fluent
- Effective global citizen
- Independent and creative thinker
- Socially Responsible
Work-Integrated Learning (Including Placement): No
UCC policies applying to applicants/students on this programme: - Student Vetting Policy and Procedure
Alternative pathway for students not proceeding to Third Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies)
The BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy) is an alternative degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement module (SS2032) in Year 2 of the BA (Early Years and Childhood Studies) programme over the Summer and Autumn Supplemental Examinations. Such students may opt instead to register for the BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy). This degree pathway leads to an academic and not a practice degree.
Students will make up the remaining 25 credits, to a total of 60 credits, by selecting modules to the value of 25 credits from the following SS modules: SS2004, SS2007, SS2008, SS2025, SS2026 and SS2033 in the following academic year. On successful completion of Second Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy), students then progress to Third Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy).
Note: Exemptions in relevant modules passed as part of Second Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) will be carried over to Second Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy).
BA (Childhood Theory and Policy) – alternative pathway for students not completing Third Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) (from 2024/25 onwards)
The BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy) is an alternative degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement module (ED3015) in Year 3 of the BA (Early Years and Childhood Studies) programme over the Summer and Autumn Supplemental Examinations. Such students may opt instead to register for the BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy). This degree pathway leads to an academic and not a practice degree.
Students will make up the remaining 20 credits, to a total of 60 credits, by completing ED3014 (20 credits). On successful completion of Third Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy), students will qualify for a BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy).
Note: Exemptions in relevant modules passed as part of Third Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) will be carried over to Third Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy).
Fourth Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy) – alternative pathway for students not completing Fourth Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) (from 2024/25 onwards).
The BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy) is an alternative degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement modules, students will not undertake the Placement element of [AP4502 Placement Year 4] in Year 4 of the BA[Early Years and Childhood Studies] Programme. Such students may opt instead to register for the BA (Hons) [ Childhood Theory and Policy]. Students will undertake an alternative assignment/ assessment in AP 4502.
Programme Requirements
For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements.
Programme Requirements
Alternative pathway for students not proceeding to Third Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies)
Module List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| |
| AP1022 | Social Psychology | 5 |
| AP1023 | Lifespan Development | 5 |
| AP1123 | Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Perspectives on Psychology | 5 |
| AP1504 | Research Methods for Evidence-Informed Professionals in Early Years | 5 |
| ED1010 | Historical Developments in the Irish Education Sector | 5 |
| ED1012 | Early Years and Childhood Studies: Pedagogical Principles and Practices | 5 |
| ED1015 | Early Years and Childhood Play and Pedagogy | 5 |
| ED1016 | Infant, Toddler and Childhood Health, Development and Safety | 5 |
| MU1012 | Creative Practice in Music in Early Years Childcare Settings | 5 |
| SS1019 | Children's Social and Cultural Worlds | 5 |
| SS1020 | Social Policy and Society | 10 |
| |
| AP2507 | Early Years and Childhood Health and Wellbeing Project | 10 |
| DR2029 | Drama Practice in Early Years and Childhood Settings | 5 |
| ED2004 | The Curriculum in Special Needs Education | 5 |
| ED2007 | Physical Activity and Childhood Holistic Development | 5 |
| OT2011 | Play Provision for Inclusion in Early Childhood | 5 |
| SS2401 | Child Care Policy: Contemporary Issues | 5 |
| Personal Lives and Family Policy (5) | |
| Penal Policy and Practice (5) | |
| Social Work 1 (5) | |
| Social Movements and Health (5) | |
| Special Education and Disability: Principles, Policies and Practices (5) | |
| Critical Social Policy and Environmental Crisis (5) | |
| |
| AP3502 | Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence | 10 |
| AP3504 | Child and Family Health Psychology | 5 |
| ED3012 | Educational Leadership in the Early Years Setting | 5 |
| ED3013 | Early Years and Childhood Education: Policy, Planning and Practice | 5 |
| ED3014 | Comprehensive Education Research Project | 20 |
| SS3052 | Qualitative Research Methods with Children | 5 |
| SS3053 | Diversity and Gender in Childhood | 10 |
| |
| AP4501 | Applied Quantitative Research Methods | 5 |
| AP4502 | Applied Developmental Psychology: Infants, Toddlers & Children | 10 |
| AP4503 | Special Educational Needs: Aetiology, Assessment and Intervention | 5 |
| ED4001 | Contemporary Developments in Early Years and Childhood Education | 5 |
| ED4002 | Science, Technology and Sustainability in Early Education | 5 |
| SS4002 | Working with Children and Families | 5 |
| SS4003 | Group Dynamics and Teamwork | 5 |
| |
| 1 | 20 |
| Early Years Research Report (20) | |
| Early Years Research Report (20) | |
| Early Years Research Report (20) | |
| Total Credits | 240 |
BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy) – alternative pathway for students not completing Third Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies)
Module List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| |
| AP1022 | Social Psychology | 5 |
| AP1023 | Lifespan Development | 5 |
| AP1123 | Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Perspectives on Psychology | 5 |
| AP1504 | Research Methods for Evidence-Informed Professionals in Early Years | 5 |
| ED1010 | Historical Developments in the Irish Education Sector | 5 |
| ED1012 | Early Years and Childhood Studies: Pedagogical Principles and Practices | 5 |
| ED1015 | Early Years and Childhood Play and Pedagogy | 5 |
| ED1016 | Infant, Toddler and Childhood Health, Development and Safety | 5 |
| MU1012 | Creative Practice in Music in Early Years Childcare Settings | 5 |
| SS1019 | Children's Social and Cultural Worlds | 5 |
| SS1020 | Social Policy and Society | 10 |
| |
| AP2507 | Early Years and Childhood Health and Wellbeing Project | 10 |
| DR2029 | Drama Practice in Early Years and Childhood Settings | 5 |
| ED2004 | The Curriculum in Special Needs Education | 5 |
| ED2007 | Physical Activity and Childhood Holistic Development | 5 |
| SS2032 | Practice Preparation and Placement | 25 |
| SS2401 | Child Care Policy: Contemporary Issues | 5 |
| OT2011 | Play Provision for Inclusion in Early Childhood | 5 |
| |
| AP3502 | Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence | 10 |
| AP3504 | Child and Family Health Psychology | 5 |
| ED3012 | Educational Leadership in the Early Years Setting | 5 |
| ED3013 | Early Years and Childhood Education: Policy, Planning and Practice | 5 |
| ED3014 | Comprehensive Education Research Project | 20 |
| SS3052 | Qualitative Research Methods with Children | 5 |
| SS3053 | Diversity and Gender in Childhood | 10 |
| |
| AP4501 | Applied Quantitative Research Methods | 5 |
| AP4502 | Applied Developmental Psychology: Infants, Toddlers & Children | 10 |
| AP4503 | Special Educational Needs: Aetiology, Assessment and Intervention | 5 |
| ED4001 | Contemporary Developments in Early Years and Childhood Education | 5 |
| ED4002 | Science, Technology and Sustainability in Early Education | 5 |
| SS4002 | Working with Children and Families | 5 |
| SS4003 | Group Dynamics and Teamwork | 5 |
| 20 |
| Early Years Research Report (20) | |
| Early Years Research Report (20) | |
| Early Years Research Report (20) | |
| Total Credits | 240 |
BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy) – alternative pathway for students not completing Fourth Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies)
Module List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| |
| AP1022 | Social Psychology | 5 |
| AP1023 | Lifespan Development | 5 |
| AP1123 | Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Perspectives on Psychology | 5 |
| AP1504 | Research Methods for Evidence-Informed Professionals in Early Years | 5 |
| ED1010 | Historical Developments in the Irish Education Sector | 5 |
| ED1012 | Early Years and Childhood Studies: Pedagogical Principles and Practices | 5 |
| ED1015 | Early Years and Childhood Play and Pedagogy | 5 |
| ED1016 | Infant, Toddler and Childhood Health, Development and Safety | 5 |
| MU1012 | Creative Practice in Music in Early Years Childcare Settings | 5 |
| SS1019 | Children's Social and Cultural Worlds | 5 |
| SS1020 | Social Policy and Society | 10 |
| |
| AP2507 | Early Years and Childhood Health and Wellbeing Project | 10 |
| DR2029 | Drama Practice in Early Years and Childhood Settings | 5 |
| ED2004 | The Curriculum in Special Needs Education | 5 |
| ED2007 | Physical Activity and Childhood Holistic Development | 5 |
| SS2032 | Practice Preparation and Placement | 25 |
| SS2401 | Child Care Policy: Contemporary Issues | 5 |
| OT2011 | Play Provision for Inclusion in Early Childhood | 5 |
| |
| AP3502 | Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence | 10 |
| AP3504 | Child and Family Health Psychology | 5 |
| ED3012 | Educational Leadership in the Early Years Setting | 5 |
| ED3013 | Early Years and Childhood Education: Policy, Planning and Practice | 5 |
| ED3015 | Placement Year 3 | 20 |
| SS3052 | Qualitative Research Methods with Children | 5 |
| SS3053 | Diversity and Gender in Childhood | 10 |
| |
| AP4501 | Applied Quantitative Research Methods | 5 |
| AP4502 | Applied Developmental Psychology: Infants, Toddlers & Children | 10 |
| AP4503 | Special Educational Needs: Aetiology, Assessment and Intervention | 5 |
| ED4001 | Contemporary Developments in Early Years and Childhood Education | 5 |
| ED4002 | Science, Technology and Sustainability in Early Education | 5 |
| SS4002 | Working with Children and Families | 5 |
| SS4003 | Group Dynamics and Teamwork | 5 |
| 20 |
| Early Years Research Report (20) | |
| Early Years Research Report (20) | |
| Early Years Research Report (20) | |
| Total Credits | 240 |
Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.
Programme Learning Outcomes
Programme Learning Outcomes for BA (Childhood Theory and Policy) (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of research methods and skills;
- Develop and integrate skills commensurate with planning and implementing a research report;
- Critically display knowledge of ethical issues that may arise in in child-centred research and practice;
- Critically appraise childhood theory and research in psychology, social studies and education;
- Demonstrate an understanding of pedagogy and of differing curricular perspectives in the early years;
- Develop knowledge of developmental aspects of children from a holistic perspective – regarding health, care and well-being of young children;
- Apply theories from Applied Social Studies, Applied Psychology and Education, to critically examine Early Years and Childhood policies nationally and internationally.
