Overview
The BA (Hons) (Early Years and Childhood Studies) is a four-year full-time programme. The level 8 degree is taught by the Schools of Applied Psychology, Applied Social Studies, and Education with contributions from Film, Music and Theatre, Occupational Therapy and Sport Studies.
This programme is approved by the Qualifications Advisory Board (instituted to review Level 7 and Level 8 Degree Programmes for the Early Learning and Care Sector) as meeting the requirements of the Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines standards.
To be eligible for the award of the BA (Hons) degree a student will be required to have achieved 240 credits by obtaining 60 credits in each of First, Second, Third and Fourth Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies). A student may not register for more than 60 credits in one academic year.
Students will undertake an Early Years Research Report (20 credits) with either the School of Education, Applied Psychology or Applied Social Studies. Students will be allocated for supervision in equal numbers across the three Schools in consultation with staff members.
First Year - Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies)
In First Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies), students study prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits.
Second Year - Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies)
No student may register for Second Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) until they have passed the First University Examination in Early Years and Childhood Studies, except on the basis of previous qualifications. Students who have been admitted to Second Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) must satisfactorily attend the prescribed modules, to the value of 60 credits, in order to be admitted to the Second University Examination in Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies).
Second Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy) – 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 Practice Preparation and Placement) 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 taking the following modules in the following academic year: SS2004 Personal Lives and Family Policy, SS2007 Penal Policy and Practice, SS2021 Critical Perspectives on Irish Health Policy, SS2026 Special Education and Disability: Principles, Policies and Practices and SS2033 Critical Social Policy and Environmental Crisis . 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).
Third Year - Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies)
Only students who have passed the Second University Examination in Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) and satisfied all other requirements specified will be permitted to register for Third Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies). Such students must attend the prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits in the disciplines concerned in order to be admitted to the Third University Examination in Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies).
Third Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy) – alternative pathway for students not completing 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 (ED3015 Placement Year 3) 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 Comprehensive Education Research Project (20 credits). On successful completion of Third Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy), students then progress to Fourth Arts (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 Year - Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies)
Only students who have passed the Third University Examination in Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) and satisfied all other requirements specified will be permitted to register for Fourth Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies). Such students must attend the prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits in order to be admitted to the Degree Examination.
Fourth Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy) – alternative pathway for students not completing Fourth 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, 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.
This degree pathway leads to an academic and not a practice degree.
Programme Requirements
For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements.
Programme Requirements
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 |
| 1 | 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 (Hons) in Early Years and Childhood Studies (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
1
1-1
Critically examine historical and current Early Years and Childhood policies and practices nationally and internationally.
1-2
2
Develop knowledge of developmental aspects of children from a holistic perspective – regarding health, care and well-being of young children.
1-3
3
Critically appraise theory and research in early years and demonstrate an ability to translate this knowledge into practice in contexts of diversity with children, parents, local communities, and other professionals and institutions.
1-4
4
Develop and integrate skills commensurate with planning and implementing a research project.
1-5
5
Critically display knowledge of the professional and ethical issues that may arise in child-centred research and practice.
1-6
6
Identify, explore and apply skills required for reflexive, rights based and inclusive, anti-bias practice with children and parents in early years settings.
1-7
7
Demonstrate an understanding of pedagogy and of differing curricular perspectives in the early years.
1-8
8
Develop appropriate understanding on the evaluation and application of theories and methods of early identification, prevention and intervention within wider social sciences perspectives.
1-9
9
Develop appropriate learning opportunities based on an understanding of children's strategies for learning and encouraging children's expression through languages including play, art, music, drama, storytelling etc.
1-10
10
Demonstrate the confidence and competence to work with children and young people as an early years care and education professional.
1-11
11
Demonstrate the confidence and competence for Teamwork, Leadership and Management in ECEC contexts.
*** Only for Incoming First Years and Repeat First Years 2024/2025 ***
*** Click here for Marks and Standards for all other years ***
Marks and Standards
These Marks and Standards should be read in conjunction with the Programme Requirements and the Book of Modules.
Fitness to Practise
All students on programmes subject to Fitness to Practise in UCC will be required to comply with the Fitness to Practise Policy and meet the relevant Fitness to Practise standards, in order to progress to the next year of his/her/their programme. Click here for a list of programmes subject to the Fitness to Practise Policy.
Marks and Credits
Students are required to take modules to the value of 60 credits.
Total Marks for year: 1200.
First Year - Pass and Progression Criteria
To pass first year and progress to second year, students must achieve:
- An aggregate mark of 40% across all modules,
- A pass mark in modules to the value of at least 50 credits, and
- A module mark of at least 30% in any remaining modules.
Pass by Compensation: Students who satisfy each of the above criteria are allowed to compensate in modules to the value of 10 credits and pass the year overall.
Award of Honours in the Degree Award
An honours classification is awarded for the final degree using the final year examination results and marks carried forward from the penultimate year. The aggregate of 33.33% of the penultimate year marks plus 66.67% of the final year marks will be used to calculate the final degree award.
Honours will be awarded as follows:
- First Class Honours: ≥ 70%
- Second Class Honours, Grade I: ≥ 60% and <70%
- Second Class Honours, Grade II: ≥ 50% and <60%
- Pass: ≥ 40% and <50%
Award of Honours when a student undertakes Study Abroad
When students study abroad as part of his/her/their degree programme, the calculation of the final degree award is based on modules in the Book of Modules only.
Examination Boards
- Provisional marks for Semester 1 examinations are released in January/February of each year. These marks are subject to approval at the University Examination Board.
- Marks for all modules taken in Semester 1 and 2, including those wholly assessed by Continuous Assessment, will be presented to the University Examination Board at the end of Semester 2.
Supplemental Examinations and Assessment
- Students who fail to achieve the progression standard for the year at the Summer Examination Board must complete Supplemental Examinations and/or Continuous Assessment for those specific module(s), where there is provision to do so.
- Please refer to the Book of Modules for requirements governing the Supplemental Examination and Assessment for individual modules. Note: For some modules there is no Supplemental Examination and Assessment.
- The marks achieved in the Supplemental Examinations and/or Continuous Assessment of a repeat module are considered at the Autumn Examination Board.
- The actual mark achieved by the candidate in the Supplemental or Repeat Year Examination will be recorded on the student record (Academic Transcript).
- The maximum mark that will be taken into account for aggregation and progression purposes is a pass level, unless the student has been granted a cap waiver or deferral by the University Mitigation Committee, or a University Examination Board, or has been approved to defer the previous attempt by the University Mitigation Committee.
- At the Autumn Examination Board, marks from all passed modules approved at the Summer Examination Board are carried forward and are combined with the marks achieved in Supplemental Examinations and/or Assessments. The pass and progression criteria are applied to the aggregate mark achieved.
Note: The mark achieved at the last examination/assessment attempt is the mark that is included in the calculation of the aggregate mark for pass and progression purposes.
Study Abroad
- When students study abroad as part of his/her/their degree programme, they will be assessed by his/her/their host university.
- To pass the study abroad period and progress to the subsequent year, a student must achieve a pass standard as applied by the host institution.
- A Pass/Fail judgement will be presented to the UCC Examination Boards:
- At the Summer Examination Board for students spending Semester 1 abroad.
- At the Autumn/Winter Examination Board for students spending the full academic year abroad or Semester 2 only.
- For students failing to achieve a pass mark, Supplemental Assessment will be prescribed by the School in UCC, and these results will be presented at a Winter Examination Board.
Exemptions
All passed modules carry an exemption, which is limited to a period of five academic years (or two in the case of Computer Science modules) subsequent to the award of the exemption.
Repeat Year Examinations
Students repeating the year may do so choosing one of the following mechanisms:
1. Students retain module exemptions, if any, and must repeat all failed/absent modules, including those modules where the failing mark previously achieved was greater than the level of compensation (≥ 30%) but who failed to achieve the progression standard for the year (see above). The pass and progression criteria are then applied to the combination of full marks achieved in modules passed at the first attempt, plus capped marks achieved in modules in the Repeat Year Examinations.
Note: For students selecting different modules not previously taken, there are no restrictions on the marks awarded for those modules at the first attempt in a repeat year. The selection of different modules by the student means that the student foregoes any previous marks achieved in the original modules (including previously passed modules).
2. Students may forego all module exemptions achieved and repeat the year choosing modules to the value of the full 60 credits. In determining pass and progression, there is no restriction on the marks awarded for modules taken at the first attempt of the Repeat Year. Modules taken at the subsequent Supplemental Examination and Assessment are capped at the pass mark.
Subject to capacity, all students - whether they have failed or passed - are allowed to choose this second option, in an attempt to improve his/her/their grade.
Students repeating the final year are eligible for the award of Honours in the first Repeat Year only. Final year students wishing to repeat the year with a view to improving his/her/their degree result may do so only if they have not been conferred.
Three Year Rule
Students must pass/progress within three academic years of the date of first registration for a year, otherwise they cannot continue in the programme.
Terms and Definitions
Programme Description
Module Descriptions/Assessment
- Module descriptions, including the pass standard for a module, special requirements to pass a module, and assessment elements and their weightings, are contained in the Book of Modules.
Marks and Credits
- A maximum of 100 marks may be awarded for every five credits of a programme.
- Some modules are assessed on a Pass/Fail basis only, i.e. marks are not awarded.
Pass and Progression
- Progression is defined as the permission granted to a student to register in the subsequent academic year for the next set of modules within his/her/their programme of study.
- Compensation is defined as the process by which a student, who fails to satisfy some of the regulations for credit in a specific module, is nevertheless recommended for credit to be awarded on the grounds that the failure is offset by his/her/their performance in the other modules on his/her/their programme of study.
