Overview

NFQ Level 8, Major Award

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 Music, Drama and 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 Years 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 he/she has 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 the three core disciplines 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: 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 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).

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 (20 credits per discipline) in order to be admitted to the Third University Examination in Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies).

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 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 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 Year - Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) (from 2024/25 onwards)

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 the three core disciplines concerned in order to be admitted to the Degree Examination.

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Year 1
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
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
Year 2
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
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
Year 3
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
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
Year 4 (from 2024/25 onwards)
Students take 60 credits as follows – all listed core modules (40 credits) and 20 credits of elective modules:
Core Modules
AP4501		5
AP4502		10
AP4503		5
ED4001		5
ED4002		5
SS4002		5
SS4003		5
Elective Modules
Students take 20 credits from the following: 1		20
AP4504	(20)
ED4003	(20)
SS4004	(20)
Total Credits		240

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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.

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 (Early Years and Childhood Studies) (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Critically examine historical and current Early Years and Childhood policies and practices nationally and internationally.
  
• Develop knowledge of developmental aspects of children from a holistic perspective – regarding health, care and well-being of young children.
  
• 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.
  
• Develop and integrate skills commensurate with planning and implementing a research project.
  
• Critically display knowledge of the professional and ethical issues that may arise in child-centred research and practice.
  
• Identify, explore and apply skills required for reflexive, rights based and inclusive, anti-bias practice with children and parents in early years settings.
  
• Demonstrate an understanding of pedagogy and of differing curricular perspectives in the early years.
  
• Develop appropriate understanding on the evaluation and application of theories and methods of early identification, prevention and intervention within wider social sciences perspectives.
  
• 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.
  
• Demonstrate the confidence and competence to work with children and young people as an early years care and education professional.
  
• Demonstrate the confidence and competence for Teamwork, Leadership and Management in ECEC contexts.